NEBRASKA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOUNDATION: 

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) is a nonprofit created to support children, young adults, and families with the overall goal of giving our state's children what they need to thrive. We do this by building strong communities that support families. Our mission is to create positive changes for Nebraska’s children through community engagement, and we believe in a Nebraska where all children will have the resources and support to thrive. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

 

The position of Lead, Prevention Network (Coaching Pathways) is a member of the NCFF Prevention Network team responsible for providing technical assistance (TA), training, and support to the coaching pathways component of the Bring Up Nebraska prevention model. This position works directly with community and Connected Youth Initiative (CYI) coaching partners, Collaborative Coordinators, Central Navigators, and Community Collaboratives statewide to ensure they have the tools, training, resources, and capacity needed to implement high-quality, community-driven coaching pathways in their local context - including both the Bring Up Nebraska Community Coaching Framework and, for older youth, the CYI Coaching model. The Lead serves as the NCFF practice lead for the coaching function, supports the statewide network of coaches and coaching partners, advances quality improvement, and works to expand the reach and impact of coaching as a prevention pathway across the network. This position is visionary and community-centered - committed to listening to coaches, young people, parents, guardians, and communities to evolve and scale. This position partners closely with the Senior Lead, Prevention Network (Older Youth Systems), Community TA Leads, and the Research and Evaluation Team to strengthen implementation, build network capacity, and continuously improve the coaching component of the prevention model.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coaching Practice & Model Stewardship

· Serve as the NCFF practice lead and technical assistance (TA) lead for the Coaching Pathways component of the Bring Up Nebraska prevention model, including responsibility for the design, tools, training, and ongoing quality of the coaching function statewide.

· Steward the Bring Up Nebraska Coaching Framework and the CYI Coaching model; maintain deep working knowledge of both models, their evidence base, core elements, and non-negotiables, and ensure the network understands how they are distinct from and complementary to other prevention strategies such as central navigation and mentoring.

· Develop, review, and maintain coaching tools, guidebooks, training resources, and Knowledge Base content to reflect current and evolving practices; ensure all resources are accessible and responsive to the needs of all community members and coaching partners.

· Identify training and competency requirements for coaches and coaching partners statewide; ensure coaches have the knowledge, skills, and ongoing support needed to implement the coaching function with fidelity and effectiveness in their local communities. Identify a process for tracking training and competencies.

· Support communities in adapting the coaching model to local context, including available resources, community partnerships, and input from parents and youth, while maintaining fidelity to the core elements and non-negotiables of the Bring Up Nebraska Coaching Framework.

· Monitor and support fidelity to the CYI Coaching model among contracted partners (including Central Plains and others); provide TA and guidance to ensure the evidence-informed model is implemented as designed and that outcomes data is used to continuously strengthen delivery.

· Stay current on emerging coaching frameworks, best practices, and approaches, including relational coaching, postsecondary coaching, cradle-to-career models, collective impact models, and coaching for system-involved youth, and identify opportunities to integrate innovative ideas into the Bring Up Nebraska coaching vision.

Community Planning, Technical Assistance & Implementation Support

· Work with each Community Collaborative to develop a local coaching implementation plan that reflects community context, local resources, and partner capacity; plans should identify whether coaching will be implemented through contracted coaching services, through the Collaborative itself, or a combination and should include strategies to connect to CYI coaching services in the area.

· Ensure community coaching implementation plans include intentional strategies for marketing and outreach to reach those who would most benefit from coaching services, as well as meaningful inclusion of youth and parent voice in both planning and ongoing implementation.

· Support communities in growing the percentage of community budget allocated to coaching, with a long-term goal of increasing investment in this prevention pathway across the network.

· Provide direct TA to Community Collaboratives statewide on coaching implementation; consult with and support Community TA Leads in addressing implementation challenges, and team with them for on-site TA as requested by the Community TA Lead or Collaborative Coordinator.

CYI Coaching & Older Youth Systems

· In close partnership with the Senior Lead, Prevention Network (Older Youth Systems), ensure that CYI Coaching is implemented with fidelity across the network and that partners have the support, training, and resources needed to deliver developmentally appropriate coaching to young people and young parents ages 14 to 26.

· Support the evolution of the CYI Coaching model to incorporate emerging priorities, including postsecondary and career coaching, student success planning, and coaching elements that address the full range of life domains relevant to older youth and young parents.

· Support the training and use of evidence-based and evidence-informed best practices within CYI Coaching, including Youth and Families Thrive™, Keys to Your Financial Future, Reaching Teens©, and Back on Track™. Lead or co-lead communities of practice/learning communities for best practices.

· Help coaches and coaching partners understand the distinctions between CYI Coaching and other related functions including central navigation, mentoring, case management, and therapy and how coaching fits within and connects to the broader prevention model.

Prevention Network Leadership & Peer Learning

· Lead, facilitate, and strengthen a statewide network of coaches and coaching partners; foster peer learning, shared problem-solving, and cross-community learning to continuously improve the coaching function across the network.

· Educate Bring Up Nebraska Network partners on the purpose, function, and value of coaching as a prevention pathway, and support understanding of how coaching connects to and reinforces other core components of the prevention model.

· Build the capacity of Community TA Leads to understand, support, and provide TA on the coaching component in their communities; serve as an internal content area expert and resource for the BUN community TA team.

Community Engagement & Continuous Improvement

· Engage Community Collaboratives, coaches, youth, parents, guardians, and network partners to solicit ongoing feedback on the coaching function and translate that feedback into model improvements; center the voices and experiences of young people, parents, and community members to ensure the coaching component reflects real community needs and priorities.

· Approach the role with humility and openness building on what has come before, listening to communities and coaches, and evolving the model in partnership with those doing the work rather than imposing external expertise.

Research, Evaluation & Data

· Work with the NCFF Research and Evaluation Team to ensure coaching survey data collection and evaluation measures are included in network and CYI evaluation plans; make data accessible and actionable for communities to strengthen local coaching implementation and demonstrate outcomes.

· Assist with grant and/or proposal writing as it relates to coaching objectives; support budget oversight and monitoring of resources allocated to the coaching component of the prevention model.

External Representation & General Responsibilities

· Represent NCFF and the Bring Up Nebraska Network at local, state, and national conferences and convenings related to Central Navigation and community-based prevention

· Serve as a representative of NCFF, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with funders, contractors, partnering organizations and the public

· Other tasks, as assigned

COMMUNITY RESPONSIVENESS: Commit to and actively work toward ensuring all people are welcomed, respected, and fully supported in all aspects of duties related to staff, internal and external stakeholders, contractors, consultants, trainers, and external agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS:
 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required Background & Experience:

· Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) or equivalent and/or minimum of 7 years combined education, lived, and professional experience in any of the following areas (or similar): human-centered coaching, case management, youth development, community-based prevention, social work, human services, education, or a related field

· Demonstrated experience providing coaching, mentoring, case management, or similar relational support to youth, young adults, families, or community members — with a clear understanding of how coaching is distinct from these related functions

· Experience working with transition-aged youth, older youth, or young adults, particularly those who have experienced foster care, juvenile justice involvement, housing instability, or other system involvement

· Experience in human-centered program or service design and/or working collaboratively with community members most impacted by systems

· Experience working in collaborative environments including public/private sectors, collaboratives or coalitions, and/or other community-based partnerships

· Experience providing technical assistance, training, coaching, or capacity building to community-based organizations, service providers, or collaborative partners

Required Knowledge:
· Demonstrated knowledge of coaching frameworks, models, and approaches — including strengths-based, relational, and participant-led coaching — and how coaching functions as a prevention strategy within a community-based prevention model

· Demonstrated knowledge of collective impact, servant leadership, and community-driven approaches to systems change

· Demonstrated knowledge of community systems and the complex, interconnected needs of children, youth, and families in rural and urban communities

· Demonstrated knowledge of youth development, positive youth development frameworks, and developmentally appropriate practice with young people and young parents

· Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of trauma on brain development, family systems, and community well-being

· Working knowledge of state systems and how youth and families navigate them, including child welfare, juvenile justice, workforce development, and postsecondary education

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and standard office technology

Required Skills & Abilities:
· Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail and follow-through

· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build authentic relationships with young people, parents, coaches, community partners, and state and national partners

· Demonstrated creativity and innovative thinking; ability to look beyond existing approaches to envision what navigation and resources could look like in the next decade and translate that vision into actionable, community-driven implementation

· Demonstrated ability to execute — take a vision or plan and make it reality with limited resources, in collaboration with communities and partners, even when the path is not fully clear

· Large and small group facilitation skills; ability to bring diverse stakeholders together in collaboration and create conditions for shared decision-making and co-design

· Ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships with youth, young adults, parents, coaches, community partners, and cross-sector stakeholders

· Ability to approach difficult conversations with confidence, humility, and empathy

· Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with a bias toward community-driven, hyperlocal solutions

· Demonstrated initiative and ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment; comfortable jumping in and figuring things out even without all the answers

· Ability to maintain a working knowledge of research-based best practices in primary prevention, and youth and family systems

Preferred:

· Innovative Mindset: Look for new and creative ways to address issues and apply an entrepreneurial mindset when problem-solving

· Takes initiative: When problems arise, be focused on solutions and motivated to act

· Outcome driven: Understanding the outcome and big picture, complete small and large tasks to achieve outcomes. See efforts through to the finish and be willing to do the work at all levels

· Willingness to learn: Always act with a servant leader mindset, willing to listen, learn, and pivot to respect unique needs and situational context. Decisions are not made in a “top-down” manner, but in partnership with stakeholders

· Communicates Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, diplomatic, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques

· Fosters Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness

· Servant Leader: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the communities

· Confident Decision-Making: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization

· Problem-Solver: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem

· Familiarity with the Bring Up Nebraska Coaching Framework, CYI Coaching model, Youth and Families Thrive™, or similar frameworks

· Experience with postsecondary coaching, student success planning, or career coaching for young people

· Experience with or knowledge of cradle-to-career coaching models or innovative coaching approaches that could expand the reach and impact of coaching in a community-based prevention system

· General ability to contribute to grant proposals, grant reporting, and budget oversight related to coaching programs and services

· Personal experience navigating systems as a young person, parent, caregiver, or family member is valued and welcomed

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: Applicants who do not meet the qualifications stated above are encouraged to write precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear

· The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel

· The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Remote within Nebraska/work from home available 

· Hybrid available in Lincoln or Omaha 

· Flexible scheduling including occasional evenings and weekends

· Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays