Independent Living Specialist

Independent Living Specialist
Full-time (37.5 hour workweek)
Charlottesville, VA

JOB SUMMARY:
The IL Specialist practices responsible, professional community social work and provides case management services per established social work principles. This position supports and assists clients & families with personal, family, and social growth. Empowers the client/family to the highest level of self-sufficiency. The IL Specialist provides comprehensive casework services to adolescents., including the IL Skill Builder. The position is assigned to an on-call rotation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
The Independent Living Specialist will report directly to the Independent Living Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of job responsibilities. The distribution of time allotted for any function or duty is subject to change with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign other responsibilities to this job or reassign them elsewhere at any time.

• Treatment Planning: Coordinate the development of each youth’s Comprehensive Treatment and Service Plan (CTSP) by
  1) using information gained from assessment,
  2) collaborating with supervisor CTSP is appropriately implemented, and
  3) work as team member with other IL staff in coordination of program & treatment(s)
• Transition: Manages all youth transition stages –
  1) assist youth in obtaining/compiling required documents to transition to adulthood,
  2) ensures basic resources are in place (as much as possible) when transitioning occurs, and
  3) supports youth by planning, providing continued need for placement and adjustment to new housing when transitioning to adulthood; which includes 30 days of Aftercare Services for exiting youth whom accepted services
• Relationships: Serves as positive model by developing professional collaborative relationships with all involved parties (e.g., youth, foster parents, families, co-workers, supervisors, administrations, referral agencies, community liaisons/partners, customers, vendors, general public, etc.); work closely with the referral agency for coordination of services and guide youth in developing a positive social support with healthy caring individuals.
• Needs Assessment: Conduct initial and periodic assessments of the youth based on agency-administered tools and formats, and continue ongoing skill development (e.g., daily living skills, social skills, communication skills, etc.) with youth using community and DePaul Resources as needed; also asses risk & protective factors for family’s strengths & needs.
• Compliance/Policies: Ensures compliance is sustained with
  1) all Minimum Standards, program and policies and procedures, and child abuse reporting requirements, and the Code of Virginia, and
  2) Agency program policies and procedures
• Support Services: Provide support services (as scheduled/on-call) in areas such as
  1) attending court hearings,
  2) on call rotation,
  3) assist in completion of daily apartment, community, and school quality checks,
  4) supervisor and coordinate family visits, and ) youth assistance (e.g., transportation, referring community resources, counseling and crisis intervention, establish needed health care and mental health services, self-improvement skills, educational/apprenticeship/volunteer, employment program); on-call support services also for foster families
• Training: Oversee and maintain training by
  1) attending regular staff meetings, trainings/case presentations,
  2) present case staffing and in-service training as needed, and
  3) be trained in and understand the relevant provisions related to the Indian Child Welfare Act
• Reporting: Inform supervisor of all significant developments on assigned caseload by participating in regularly scheduled supervision with supervisor, and engage in all necessary meetings (e.g., team meetings, treatment team meetings, Family Assessment Planning Team, Community Planning Management Team meetings, community meetings); must also meet all program reports and other document deadline requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED:
Knowledge,…