The main aims of this project are to:
Leverage predominantly qualitative youth and multi-sector partner input to refine and expand YouthHealthConnect for use by YEH and youth-serving agencies across Minnesota.
Conduct an intervention pilot to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of YouthHealthConnect as a strategy for enhancing systems alignment, promoting youth agency in navigating health systems, and supporting youth-serving agencies in connecting youth with vital health resources.
Develop plan to scale the Digital Community Health Resource Map with a National Partner.

This position will support the process and outcome of this project, including facilitating mixed methods data collection and analysis, and supporting community and multi-sector engagement, including engagement with youth experiencing homelessness.

If applicable, this position could be developed to meet requirements for students' internships or Honor's projects.. Please contact your program administrators for questions regarding eligibility.

Responsibilities

Participate in recruiting and conducting informed consent with youth experiencing homelessness and staff at youth-serving agencies and assist in conducting youth focus groups and key informant interviews to review and solicit feedback on YouthHealthConnect (35%)
Collaborate with other YHHL team members working on the YouthHealthConnect project to: (60%)
Refine and expand the YouthHealthConnect resource list and map
Incorporate feedback into YouthHealthConnect from youth advisors and multi sector partners
Complete qualitative analysis of transcripts from interviews and focus groups
Assist with development of strategy to scale YouthHealthConnect
Co-facilitate YouthHealthConnect trainings with YHHL team and youth
Complete academic and community dissemination of project results, including presentations and publications, as well as translation of results into meaningful advocacy and policy
Attend YHHL team and project meetings (5%)

Location: Virtual and University of Minnesota
Travel Required: None
Pay: $20/hour
Time frame: July 1st 2024 to June 30th 2025
Preference will go to applicants who are available for the duration of the project; opportunities to continue with the Lab may be available depending on funding
Hours: 4 hr/week

Qualifications

Required:
Highschool diploma or equivalent
Ability to work virtually and synchronously during typical work days
Commitment to centering equity in this work and to creating an inclusive, anti-oppressive, and safe work environment
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to connect with people and establish effective working relationships with team members, youth and diverse community partners
Organized, responsible, and detail-oriented
Takes initiative, asks questions, clarifies directions and tasks as needed
Interest in working with youth
Work independently with support from supervisors and plan, organize, and prioritize workload in an efficient and timely manner

Preferred:
Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness or other youth who have experienced forms of marginalization
Experience in working on efforts related to adolescent health
Interest and experience in community-engaged research
Ability to conduct literature searches and identify vital information for project efforts
Comfort and proficiency with computer programs such as: Canva, Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or database systems when doing data entry, analysis, and management
Multilingual in English and Spanish or Somali is preferred

About the Department

The Youth Health and Housing Lab (YHHL) is an interdisciplinary research team that leads community-engaged, multi-sector research at the intersection of housing, healthcare and public health to advance health equity and bolster resilience among youth experiencing homelessness.

Our interdisciplinary team, led by Dr. Janna Gewirtz O'Brien, is housed within the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.

We partner with youth experiencing homelessness, youth-serving agencies across Minnesota, governmental and non-governmental public health and healthcare institutions to uplift youth voices within and across systems. Leveraging a youth participatory action research (YPAR) framework, our team is committed to a strengths-based, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approach.

Over the past 2 years, our team has worked in collaboration with youth experiencing homelessness and our multi-sector partners to develop YouthHealthConnect: a youth-driven, multicomponent intervention that includes: (1) a digital community health resource map for youth experiencing homelessness and staff who work with them to identify local youth-friendly health resources, and (2) a corresponding series of trainings for youth-serving professionals (e.g., youth-serving agency staff and healthcare professionals), co-developed and co-facilitated by youth with lived experiences of homelessness.

Our lab received funding through two sources: UMN Grant-in-Aid and a Social Justice Impact Grant to lead the next phase of YouthHealthConnect, which will scale and implement it across the state, and rigorously evaluate the systems alignment strategy.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Consider addressing the following in a Cover Letter:
Describe your interest in and experience related to the position.
As mentioned in our statement on centering justice, equity, and inclusion, our team will work to ensure representation on the team from people with lived experiences of homelessness, as well as people who identify as BIPOC and LGBTQ+. For the identities you hold and the communities that you represent, what voices are you excited to lift up in this project?

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).