Independent Living Specialist

JOB SUMMARYThe Independent Living Specialist involves responsibility for providing life skills services for youth group homes and foster care. The Independent Living Specialist is responsible for delivery of services according to agency policies and state and federal law for all youth eligible for independent living services throughout the agency. The Independent Living Specialist serves as team participants assisting social workers, foster parents, Childcare staff, caseworkers, other agency or community representatives, and youth in coordinating and delivering the services of the life skills program. The Independent Living Specialist will develop objectives that are measurable and may change throughout the youth’s placement at the Group Home to reflect progress toward achieving the goals.GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIESEstablish and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with youth and members of the youth’s treatment team to support coordinated service delivery.Participate as an active member of the youth’s treatment team by attending service plan reviews, bi-weekly team meetings, FTC meetings, and other meetings related to youth development and progress.Administer and complete Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessments every six (6) months in accordance with agency requirements.Collaborate with youth to develop individualized life skills goals and support plans aligned with their permanency and independence objectives.Support youth in building on their strengths by identifying and facilitating access to community-based opportunities, including recreational, educational, vocational, employment, leisure, and skill-building activities.Organize and provide support for youth participation in activities and youth-led groups such as Youth Speak Out, including coordinating communication with caseworkers, foster parents, biological parents, and mentors, and providing accompaniment when necessary.Manage the distribution, tracking, and accountability of stipends in accordance with agency policies.Provide individualized financial literacy support to youth, including budgeting, saving, money management, and assistance with opening bank accounts when appropriate.Develop and maintain working relationships with community service providers to ensure youth have access to appropriate community-based supports and resources.Assist youth in developing a comprehensive Life Skills Portfolio, including essential documents for adulthood such as career plans, photo identification, birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s/non-driver’s license, certificates of accomplishment, and educational assessments.Attend trainings, workshops, and professional development opportunities assigned by the supervisor.Participate in permanency hearings and related court or agency proceedings as required.Complete required PYS documentation at least one (1) week prior to due dates.Support youth in enrollment in driving school upon successful completion of written permit requirements.Complete monthly case documentation and progress notes in Connections in accordance with agency and state standards.Develop youth discharge plans in collaboration with the youth’s permanency team to support successful transition from care.Design and facilitate monthly training curricula, including handouts and structured learning materials based on the ACS 18 Life Skills Domains.Run credit checks on the youthUtilize care four systemConduct a minimum of two (2) monthly contacts with each youth beginning within 24–48 hours of admission to Abbott House QRTP and continuing through trial discharge.Monthly contacts include:One (1) face-to-face individual session in QRTP or foster home setting, andOne (1) face-to-face group session based on the ACS 18 Life Skills Domains.Post–Trial Discharge ServicesProvide and/or coordinate services identified in the youth’s final support (discharge) plan to ensure continuity of care and successful transition.Engage youth and community supports following discharge from residential care to promote successful reintegration into home or community settings, or continued engagement with step-down placement programs.Identify, connect, and coordinate youth access to educational, vocational, developmental, and community-based resources within their home communities.Establish and maintain partnerships with Supervised Setting Programs (SSPs), when appropriate, to support youth experiencing permanency challenges in transitioning to lower levels of care and community reintegration.Enroll and oversee youth participation in life certification programs, trade schools, and vocational training opportunities that promote career development, skill-building, and long-term self-sufficiency.Maintain ongoing contact with youth for 3–6 months post-discharge, ensuring continuity of support and progress monitoring.Post-discharge contact includes either:Two (2) face-to-face contacts monthly, orOne (1) face-to-face contact and one (1) additional approved contact method (phone, email, video call, or other agency-approved communication).PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.Computer – The Independent Living Specialist must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programsOffice Equipment- The Independent Living Specialist is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.Communication - The Independent Living Specialist needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English languageWriting - The Independent Living Specialist must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.Driving - The Independent Living Specialist must have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.Lifting - The Independent Living Specialist may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.Push/Pull - The Independent Living Specialist may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.Sitting, Standing and Walking – The Independent Living Specialist will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.Stooping -The Independent Living Specialist may occasionally stoop. This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.Kneeling -The Independent Living Specialist may occasionally kneel. This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).Crouching - The Independent Living Specialist may occasionally crouch. This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co- workers. The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.QUALIFICATIONSMaster’s Degree in a related field preferred. Bachelor’s required. Minimum of 4 years of full-time experience working with high risk youth (i.e., emotionally disturbed (SED), Juvenile Delinquents (JD), or Persons in Need of Supervision PINS) in a residential setting or in a community based program specializing in services for high risk youth and their families.Working knowledge of the modern principles and practices of social work along with experience within the child welfare system.Working knowledge of researching and engaging community services.Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.Ability to communicate effectively with SED population.Ability to plan and collaborate with youth and their team.Computer literacy and familiarity with Connx;Ability to plan, lead, conduct groups with youth and adult training sessions.Ability to make oral and written reports.Strong organizational and communication skills.Ability to model and present professionally.Good assessment and interviewing and counseling skills.HOURS AND TIME OF WORKThe Independent Living Specialist is contracted for 35 hours a week. #J-18808-Ljbffr