This professional social service position is assigned to the Ongoing Unit of Lycoming Children and Youth Services. This position is responsible for the provision of the full range of Independent Living Program services to youth who are/have been in placement after the age of 14 up until they reach age 21.

Independent Living staff will provide services to youth receiving services from Children and Youth and Juvenile Probation who are age14 and older and have been in foster care or other types of substitute care. Services may also be provided to youth who are age14 and older in the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol systems that have been in residential placement or other substitute care, pending availability. Responsibilities include intake and needs assessment, advocacy for treatment services, mentoring and provision of services that develop youth independent living skills. Services may include educational and vocational planning, job readiness and placement, financial management, housing search, life skills training, and community resource awareness.

The extent of caseworker involvement and frequency of contact with IL program youth will be determined by the assessed need and level of service being provided. At times, this will require flexibility in working after hours or weekends to provide the necessary crisis intervention and support to the youth in the Independent Living Program. This position will be supervised by the Ongoing Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

An individual must be able to successfully perform the essential functions of this position with or without a reasonable accommodation.

· Conduct an Independent Living Skills Needs Assessment with youth when referred to the Independent Living Program, with subsequent reviews as warranted but at least yearly and upon discharge.

· Work with each youth utilizing their IL needs assessment to develop an IL plan with specific goals and objectives that will lead to independence and self-sufficiency.

· Support and assist youth in developing the skills necessary to meet their personal, social, health, emotional and economic needs independently.

· Provide instruction to IL youth on community living skills, family dynamics and mentor youth in areas such as vocational opportunities, educational supports, job placements, money management, housing and living arrangements.

· Provide individual and group Life Skills Educational opportunities directly or through the use of other community resources.

· Ensure IL services are coordinated with other existing services provided by Children and Youth, Juvenile Probation, Mental Health, and Drug and Alcohol.

· Provide specialized instruction to resource parents, natural families, and congregate living staff with respect to teaching household duties and responsibilities to IL youth necessary for self-sufficiency.

· Assure program youth receive coordinated access to services and assist with transportation when necessary and appropriate.

· Facilitate and promote the educational development of school-aged youth by establishing and maintaining close working relationships with the schools.

· Research, identify and engage community resources that can be utilized to provide education, service and support to youth as they move along the path to independence.

· Provide behaviorally specific support and problem resolution assistance for resource homes, permanent families and/or congregate care staff to maintain a stable living arrangement.

· Develop, coordinate and facilitate monthly groups for program youth, designed to teach and enhance necessary life skills.

· Prepare for and participate in monthly case conferences with supervisory staff to review contacts, case concerns, case progress, and any other case specific dynamics.

· Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and related functions.

· Participate in community awareness opportunities to educate the community regarding the Independent Living Programming and how they can support IL youth.

· Prepare and maintain required records and reports in accordance with established regulations, policies and procedures, including State reporting requirements that include timely data input into the Pennsylvania Independent Living Outcome Tracking System, (PILOTS) the National Youth in Transition Data Base (NYTD), JCIS and any other required information systems.

· Maintain working knowledge of all Federal, State and Agency policies, procedures, practices, and regulations pertaining to youth served in the program.

· Maintain appropriate records and case documentation according to Independent Living regulations and Agency requirements.

· Maintain mandated client confidentiality.

· Perform related duties as needed.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The following physical activities are necessary to perform one or more of the essential functions of this position.

· Communicate effectively in person or by using telecommunications equipment.

· Input and gather data on a computer.

· Prepare and proofread documents accurately.

· Understand oral and written information

· Move and relocate work related items and, if applicable, assist clients with personal items without assistance.

· Move and/or relocate child(ren) without assistance, if applicable.

· Provide transportation to clients when appropriate.

· Enter, exit and move about multiple residential, community and office settings.

· Travel to client’s homes/residences in order to serve and meet their needs in their own environments as appropriate.

· Operate standard office machines.

This is a Civil Service position and is subject to Civil Service Rules.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $47,548.80 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Social work: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person