Sacramento Works Youth Navigator Program
The Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) coordinates the Sacramento Works Youth Navigator Program in Sacramento County to serve transitioning at-risk youth by providing employment, academic and social services to assist youth’s successful transition to adulthood.
Program Goal
The goal of the Sacramento Works Youth Navigator program is to expand and enhance the access of employment and academic opportunities for youth in transition thereby increasing the number of knowledgeable, skilled and stable employees into the workforce.
Target Population and Geographical Area
The Sacramento Works for Youth Navigator Project provides services to at-risk youth ages 16-21. Primary target group are youth with disabilities, emancipating and current foster youth, and probation youth.
Program Design and Services -
SETA outstations Sacramento Works Youth Navigators at the Sacramento Works One Stop Career Centers (SWCC). Each Navigator is responsible for conducting outreach, marketing, developing collaborations, case management and strengthening partnerships in designated areas of Sacramento County. The Youth Navigators develop linkages to services and facilitate access to resources in the community so that transitioning youth will have increased academic, vocational and employment success.
Services include:
- Academic and vocational assessment
- Career and academic counseling and planning
- Access to academic and vocational resources
- Vocational training
- Employment opportunities
- Support services
- Access to mental health and substance abuse counseling
- Benefits planning and legal assistance.
Employment or Training
Training opportunities - Youth that require or would benefit from vocational training are referred to the appropriate training. Leveraged vocational training opportunities include:
- Sacramento County Regional Occupational Programs (ROP)
- Workforce Investment Act
- Apprenticeship Training Programs
- Community College
Employment Opportunities - All youth are provided employment opportunities. For those with limited work experience, the first step to employment will be as members of a Youth Action Team participating in a community service project. The next step is paid work experience with a private or public employer and is based on the youth's interest and abilities. Youth with a demonstrated work history will be provided with job search assistance at the SWCC sites.
Support Services
Mental health and substance abuse counseling - Youth presenting with substance abuse or mental health issues will be referred for counseling. Other Support Services - Youth will also participate in anger management, youth drug prevention services and other appropriate pro-social behavior counseling sessions. Support services including housing, transportation, work tools and equipment will be assessed and appropriate services or referrals will be provided.
Benefits Planning for Youth with Disabilities
Through a subcontract with Crossroads Diversified Services, trained and certified Community Work Incentives Coordinators will provide information on benefits planning and work incentives to Social Security beneficiaries who are disabled.
Legal Rights, Need for Disclosure and Accommodation
The SWCC system currently coordinates with Legal Services of Northern California and Sacramento Child Advocates to provide expungement and emancipation rights counseling. These services will be utilized as appropriate for this group.
On-Going Case Management and Follow-up
is provided to insure the academic and employment success. The Youth Navigator Team will work proactively with the youth to address ongoing life issues that affect employment and training retention.
