Description
Average hourly rate is $17.79 (including wage, incentives, bonuses, overtime, shift differential, etc.)
Independent Living Specialist
EMPOWER's Community Based Care program includes services to families that support the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). As the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) in Metroplex East (formerly referred to as Region 3E), EMPOWER will ensure the full range of services, which includes foster and kinship care, purchased services, case management, and reunification services. EMPOWER will fully engage the community to help achieve positive outcomes for children.
Qualifications:
An accredited bachelor's degree or accredited associate degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
Benefits:
- Competitive pay
- Flexible Schedule
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Company paid Life insurance
- 401(k) Match
- 20 days of personal leave in first year of employment; 25 days after completion of year one
- 12 paid holidays for all non-residential and hybrid work schedule
- Longevity bonus
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Program
- Referral program
As an Independent Living Specialist, you will be responsible for promoting the well-being of older youth in the Permanency Services Program, participates in staff meetings and trainings and coordinates with staff from other agencies involved in providing services.
- Coordinates with the case managers to provide Independent Living services to youth served by the Permanency Program.
- Assess the need for placement, safety, family strengths and needs, and placement resources for the youth.
- Assesses eligibility for youth in Extended Care program to include youth in Trial Independence who request to return to paid care.
- Assesses eligibility for youth in Return to Care.
- Coordinates with Permanency Specialist and Care Management Department to secure appropriate placement for youth requesting to return to paid foster care.
- Ensure completion of the ACLSA for all youth 14 and over and any other assessments needed to prepare youth for independent living.
- Maintains sufficient case documentation including forms and narratives to provide a complete and accurate written record in assigned Preparation for Adult Living only cases for each youth receiving Preparation for Adult Living services.
- Responsible for completion of the NYTD for youth in care.
- Works for Permanency Specialist to ensure youth in care are receiving counseling and guidance in preparation for independent living/emancipation while they are still in care.
- Ensures the accuracy, content, and completeness of youth/family case records.
- Coordinates and assists in planning statewide and regional teen conferences as well as Peaks Camp.
- Monitors Preparation for Adult Living contract service delivery and coordinates contract needs with contract management staff.
- Utilizing best practices standards, coordinates independent living services and requirements with public and private agencies.
- Participates in case planning conferences as needed.
- Compiles monthly statistical data and reports and forwards to appropriate agencies.
- Completes documentation and forwards reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content.
- Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contracts.
- Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
- Will be required to drive personal or agency vehicle while transporting children or conducting agency business. Must possess a valid driver's license. Must meet agency underwriting standards while driving agency vehicles and/or transporting clients.
If you want to make a difference in a child's life, join our team today.
TFI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply, please visit