Independent Living Specialist

Overview

Company Overview

Youth Villages has been a national leader in the adoption and implementation of research-based treatment philosophies in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Our commitment to helping troubled children and their families find success spans 30+ years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services.

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

Responsibilities

Program Overview

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides services to clients in the home and community setting to assist client with transition to 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.

Position Overview

Independent Living Specialists provide case management services to traditional Independent Living Program (ILP) youth.  ILP provides an opportunity for a young adult to remain in foster care up to age 21 and receive resources and support to ensure better outcomes.  ILP services include case management, placement support, and judicial oversight. Other responsibilities include:

• Meet with each ILP client a minimum of one hour face to face per month, typically at their home or other off site facility, increasing and decreasing as directed by the ILP Supervisor on the basis of need. General caseloads not to exceed 23 clients.

• Maintain regular, on-going communication with Caseworkers about services being provided.

• Act as an advocate for the client when facing barriers to achieving goals by attending school meetings, DHS meetings, and court hearings as determined by the youth, caseworker or ILP supervisor.

• Provide support accessing transportation for youth to include directly providing transportation to events as needed.

• Complete required DHS documentation including: skills assessments, transition plans and monthly progress updates within timelines outlined by the program.

• Provide individual skills training interventions for assigned caseloads and provide case management related to goals.

• Conduct primarily individual sessions using strategic interventions to address the following domains: housing, education, natural supports/healthy relationships, employment, health, transportation, and money management.

• Conduct on-going assessment of the client's needs from strength focused, solution based perspective.

• Empower the client to build upon and use the supports in their natural environment, including teaching the client how to access the appropriate community resources.

• Support monthly peer to peer events through planning and attendance. Advocate for youth attendance to meet contract requirements.

• Complete documentation of all information in a timely and professional manner that provides a basis for the direction of services.

• Visit the school to establish working relationship to ensure reasonable school performance by the young adult.

• Visit the employer to establish working relationship to ensure reasonable job performance by the young adult.

• Participate in weekly Consultation with the Licensed Program Export concerning case strategies and case progress and in quarterly booster training sessions concerning specialized treatment topics.

• Provide on call crisis support to youth enrolled in LifeSet. On call responsibilities are over the weekend and is rotated among Specialists.

• Complete other duties as assigned by program leadership.

Why Youth Villages?

Our programs in Oregon:

• Paid licensure supervision for LPC, LCSW, LMFT
• Opportunity for advancement
• Collaborative Problem Solving Certification
• Training opportunities based on your interest / CEU’s
• Tablets issued to community based staff for documentation
• Open/collaborative work environment
• Gym membership reimbursement/ discounts
• Healthy snacks in office/ monthly team recognition

Additional Information

Schedule is flexible and non-traditional; based around the availability of youth and families served.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, a personal vehicle to use for work purposes and auto insurance.
Community Based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage

Salary

$43000 - $57000 / year based on education and clinical license

Qualifications

Requirements

A Master’s degree in social services field is preferred; a Bachelor's degree in social services field is required.

Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Other degrees will have to be evaluated further to determine if they meet the qualifications.

One year of related experience in counseling and/or case management is preferred.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Basic computer knowledge
Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of October 15, 2021, Youth Villages has required the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, excluding those with an approved medical or religious exemption, as a condition of employment to help ensure the safety of all employees and youth and families served.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
Retirement Savings Pension Plan
401(k)
2 weeks paid vacation
12 paid sick days per year
11 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave
Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

Growth & development through continuous training

Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.

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