ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Young Adult Case Manager reports to the Case Management Team Supervisor. Responsible for providing services to address the needs of young people 17-21 years old who are in the process of transitioning out of care and need individualized skill development and support to transition successfully into adulthood, specifically obtaining and maintaining safe and suitable housing, continuing their education, learning independent living skills, obtaining and maintaining employment, building a support system, and remaining free from legal involvement. The Young Adult Case manager provides individual services to 6-8 young adults in the Transitional Living or community setting to assist the young adult with transition to adulthood, including home visits, transportation of young people in agency or personal vehicle to court appearances, schools, community resources, etc. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. The Specialist is on-call 24/7 (rotating on-call at night and on weekends) and expected to respond in person at any time when it is determined to be necessary by the Case Management Team Supervisor, Clinical Consultant and Program Director. Good verbal communication with employees, referring agencies, community resources and young people/families as well as ability to provide ongoing required written documentation. Must be able to effectively use verbal intervention skills with individuals. Flexible schedule required. RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Meets a minimum of one time per week face-to-face with the young person and providing additional support via phone, text, or in person as needed. When indicated, a YVLifeSet Specialist may see a young person daily to ensure safety and stability
- Document all case management activity and use information in up-to-date case entry notes
- Promotes a youth guided, family centered, and strengths-based environment at all times
- Assists youth in developing family resources or adult connections to support a successful transition out of DCFS care
- Responsible for all interventions associated with a specific young adult and their family. This includes case management and collaboration with external key stakeholders and referral sources, such as probation, child welfare system, therapists, etc.
- Conducts ongoing assessment of the young person's needs from a strength focused, solution-based perspective and develops service plans on a monthly basis
- Write and submit timely reports for juvenile court and administrative case reviews, etc.
- Carries a selected load of young people and families as assigned
- Takes leadership in the planning and evaluation of staffings/conferences
- Attend all meetings related to the young adult and/or family with the purpose of gathering information specific to intervention development and advocating in the best interest of the young adult's long-term stability
- Takes responsibility for scheduling the intake assessment and conducting intake assessments and presenting the case the OAP team. Provides data, information, and goals to team. Works with treatment, collateral staff, and families in coordinating efforts to reach goals
- Works closely with other employees in meeting the needs of young people under care
- Attend and actively participate in individual and team supervision sessions and trainings and to follow up and/or implement feedback and recommendations received from the Case Management Team Supervisor, Program Director, and Clinical Consultant
- Determines visiting schedule for young people (if applicable) and keeps informed about benefits and problems following visits as provided by relevant employees
- Interprets agency's services to assigned young people
- Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
- Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
- Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
- Attends agency and other professional seminars and conferences to increase professional knowledge and skills
- Liaison to DCFS or other agencies (courts, school districts, etc.), communicating goals and progress toward their accomplishment
- Determines with the team needs for community programs (schools, recreation, jobs, vocational opportunities, medical, etc.)
- May provide counseling (if appropriate)
- Liaison/facilitator in community, police and neighborhood situations
- Locates and evaluates resources, facilitates referrals and supportive services
- May cover ACR/court and other duties during employee vacancies/absences
- Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
- Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
- Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
- The specialist is expected to adhere to all ethical and legal guidelines, including mandated reporting
- Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve-month period
- Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
- Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in field of social work, psychology, or related field preferred. Bachelor's degree in social services with one year related experience in counseling and or case management is required
- Must have the Child Welfare Employee Licensure at hire or attend the next scheduled Foundation Training Program for licensure, meet the requirements for attendance and conduct, and pass the Licensure Exam including CERAP (Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol), CANS 2.0 (Child and Adolescents Needs and Strengths). If already licensed, must complete CANS 2.0 within 30 days of hire and TPSN Specialty Training within one (1) year
- Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
- Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strengths-based approach preferred
- Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
- Valid Illinois Driver's license
- No history of child abuse or neglect
This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt