YEH (Youth Experiencing Homelessness) Caseworker (1-2 yrs experience)

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT SHELTER

Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community-based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we've grown into a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma-informed care in Illinois. With a current budget of $10M and ambitious plans to grow to $15M, our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.

Shelter Youth & Family Services is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities. Our mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and transform communities. Joining us in this role will give you a chance to help fulfill that mission and help the community. Shelter and its facilities are drug and smoke-free environments.

Learn more at shelter-inc.org.

Shelter Youth and Family Services is a smoke free and drug free workplace.

Shelter Youth and Family Services encourages the application of all bilingual applicants to work with our client community. Applicants who can successfully certify their skill level in reading, speaking, and writing in two languages with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may receive an additional salary stipend. Certification testing is set by DCFS.

Job Overview

YOU MUST HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FOR THIS GRANT POSITION

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION The Youth Experiencing Homelessness Caseworker provides time-limited case management for youth that are most at risk of entering the shelter system or have recently become homeless. The caseworker is responsible for outreach to those experiencing homelessness, connecting them with community resources, case coordination, and other supportive services in the community. This position operates under the direction and supervision of the Residential Director.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assesses youth for homelessness risk and provides diversion, family mediation, housing counseling and search, financial management assistance, and direct financial assistance to ensure housing stability

2. Provides appropriate referrals, including linkages to homeless services, employment services, legal services, and financial management services 3. Meets weekly and as needed with youth on caseload to develop case plans, review progress, and to do follow-up on tasks and services 4. Provides housing stabilization services to ensure that youth maintain housing, including collaborating with other service providers, and following through on referrals for other needed services 5. Networks and coordinates with community resources for housing, legal services, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, training, etc., and makes referrals as appropriate 6. Participates in all activities related to referral and intake; e.g. screening referrals, arranging pre-placement visits, establishing admission date, arranging for case transfer to Shelter, processing appropriate paperwork to the Administrative Office

7. Meets weekly with each resident to assess their well-being in terms of adjustment to the program, services they are receiving, and assessing for any unmet needs

8. Provides referral, linkage, and on-going monitoring of external service providers 9. Ensures the youth is current with all medical exams and requirements; e.g. physicals, dentals, vision, hearing, etc. 10. Maintains agency case records for each resident in accordance with agency policy 11. Coordinates all activities related to discharge planning and provides the indicated aftercare services to each resident as applicable 12. Complies with agency policies and procedures and the Department of Children & Family Services "Code of Ethics for Child Welfare Professionals" 13. Other duties as assigned by the Residential Director

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 21 years of age in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services guidelines
• Must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited school. Degree in Human Services field desired but not required
• Must successfully obtain a Child Welfare License within three months of employment date
• Must meet Child Care Facility Driver requirements in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
• Must have a valid driver's license, an automobile, and adequate automobile insurance
• Must become certified in CPR, First Aid, and Behavior Management Crisis Intervention within six months of employment date
• Must complete a Medical and T.B. test providing proof of results prior to start date
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within one month of hire, according to the latest CDC guidelines, with legal exemptions allowed
• Must be fingerprinted by the State of Illinois and submit to a full Background Check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
• Must submit official academic transcripts from the last school in which a degree was awarded
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; and use hands to handle or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, reach with hands or arms and run. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 40 lbs. The employee must be capable of working a varied shift schedule. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

CLASSIFICATION STATUS

This is an exempt position.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Job Type : Full-time

Pay : $50,000-$55,000 per year depending upon experience

Benefits :

401(k)

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision Insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Flexible schedule

Flexible spending account

Health savings account

Paid time off

Parental leave

Employee referral program

Retirement savings plan

Shelter Youth & Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals from historically underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace for all.

A Federal background search with the FBI and Illinois State Police is conducted for all positions. This is conducted through DCFS (Illinois Department of Children and Family Services). You must also be willing to be vaccinated or provide proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, submit your school transcripts from the last school that you attended, complete a general physical with a TB (tuberculosis) test, provide a copy of your current driver's license and a copy of your current proof of auto insurance. You may be asked to provide proof of certification in CPR, CPI, Think Trauma or be willing to be trained in these areas.

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