Independent Living Program Coordinator

About Us:

LTAI C.M.H.S. Inc. & ACTS II Ministry for Teens Inc. is a licensed and contracted child-caring institution providing open residential foster care home services to youth ages 10 to 19. LTAI C.M.H.S. Inc. is the only licensed girls’ home in Kalamazoo County that offers residential services for girls ages 16-19. We also have a separate home for cognitively impaired and developmentally disabled boys ages 10-18. We offer many valuable services to assist our residents with transitioning to less restrictive environments. We provide care in a warm, safe, caring, and nurturing environment.

Our mission statement is: “Empowering and Equipping Youth for Success Beyond Foster Care.”

Our vision statement is: “Develop thriving young adults to transform families and communities.”

Job Goal:

• The Independent Living Program Coordinator (ILP) is accountable to the Chief Operating Officer for providing independent living skills and training for youth, which prepares them for a successful transition from LTAI programming to an ILP placement, a family/foster/adoptive home, or another arrangement as well as empower and equip the youth and their families for success beyond foster care.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel as classified.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel as classified.

Primary Duties:

• Develop and deliver ILP programming that ensures youth gain appropriate skills related to Self-care, Food Preparation, Budgeting/Banking, Employment, Household Management, Education, Transportation, and Handling Personal Business affairs that meet MDHHS transition requirements.

• Collaborate with LTAI Administration, Case Managers, House Manager, Case Workers, and family/support to make appropriate ILP decisions about activities, groups, and events in which the client should participate.

• Provide an appropriate approach to ILP skills training, with specific attention and support to family involvement in programming, the youth’s treatment, and empowering families in decision-making processes involving their child and themselves. When no “traditional” family is available as a resource, work to develop alternative support systems for the youth.

• Collaborate with the LTAI Administration & Case Manager to plan all aspects of off-site programming, including parties involved, location, transportation arrangements, and length of visit.

• Track ILP program goals and behavior management information, beginning at intake and admission and into aftercare, which becomes part of the statistical data bank of LTAI.

• At client discharge, helping to coordinate aftercare plans to ensure a successful transition into the next placement or IL setting.

• Responsible for timely Quality Assurance compliance, including but not limited to service delivery criteria and reporting requirements for each youth serve
• Work in correlation with the LTAI administrative team to ensure that the youth (and potential family members) are prepared for the transition from LTAI as per the youth’s permanency plan.

• Provide ILP aftercare services to discharged youth for up to one calendar year after discharge.

• Enforce LTAI policies and rules and follow LTAI’s code of ethics.

• Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities to stay current on best practices in trauma-informed care and child mental health.

• Other duties as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel as classified.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with children with behavioral challenges related to trauma, preferably in a foster care or related setting.
• Experience with Trauma-informed communication techniques
• Strong crisis Intervention skills and experience effectively managing escalated situations in the event of an acute mental health crisis with a youth.
• Experience handling youth in group settings and maintaining appropriate control and supervision.
• Ability to develop ILP training concepts, programming, and appropriate methods of training that are trauma-informed.
• Must have strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

It is imperative to recognize that employment at Let's Talk About It CMH Services Inc. entails the possibility of encountering youth who may exhibit violent or mentally unstable behavior. One of our top priorities is the safety and welfare of our staff members, and as such, we are committed to providing comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure a safe and secure working environment. Understanding and acknowledging this potential risk is crucial for maintaining the safety of both our staff and the youth in our care.

INDEPENDENT LIVING REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET

Self-Care

o Laundry -

o Youth understands how to wash special laundry items and how to sort items by color, fabric, etc. (delicates, sheets, comforters, etc.)

o Youth understands how much laundry soap, bleach, fabric softener to use

o Youth understands how to use the Laundromat

o Hygiene -

o Youth understands that he/she must brush his/her teeth at least twice per day, and have regular dental examinations and cleanings twice per year.

o Youth understands that he/she must shower daily

o Youth understands how to use and dispose of feminine products and razors

o Youth understands that he/she should get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily

o Youth understands what medication he/she takes, how often, the dosage, and what the medication is for

o Sex Education -

o Youth understands the importance of abstinence

o Youth understands the various types of birth control methods

o Youth understands the various types of STI’s

o Relationships -

o Youth understands healthy relationships and what healthy relationships look like

o Youth understands what domestic violence is and where to get help

o Youth displays appropriate social skills

o Youth has developed a group of positive friends who share his/her values – at church, school, foster care support groups (MYOI)

o Youth has a designated mentor

o Youth has registered for the armed forces (males by 18 yo), if applicable.

o Youth has demonstrated his/her ability to cope with stress, triggers and mental health symptoms

o Food Preparation

o Youth understands how to budget his/her money for groceries

o Youth understands how to meal plan/create a menu

o Youth has demonstrated his/her ability to prepare meals

o Youth has completed price comparison activities

o Youth can identify where the local food pantries are located

o Youth understand the 5 basic food groups and the importance of eating a balanced diet

o Budgeting/Banking

o Youth learned to budget his/her allowance, while completing a weekly budget form

o If youth is transitioning to IL, he/she will have a set goal to have a specific amount of money saved for his/her transition date.

§ Goal Amount: ________________ Due Date: _________________

o If youth is transitioning to IL, he/she should have a budget put together of his/her living expenses. Attach the created budget to this document.

o Youth completed various budgeting activities

o Youth will learn how to open a bank account, what documents are required, and how to check the balance

o Youth understands what a money order is, and where he/she can get one

o Youth understands how to write a check and how to balance a checkbook

o Youth understands how and why to mail a check

o Youth understands what banks/credit unions can offer

o Employment

o Youth understands how to write a resume and has one completed

o Youth understands how to fill out a job application and has applied for employment (if applicable)

o Youth understands how to dress appropriately for a job interview

o Youth has participated in mock interviews

o Youth knows where the local MichiganWorks! Office is located

o Youth understands what documents he/she will need to get a job

o Cleaning

o Youth has demonstrated his/her ability to complete daily household chores

o Youth is able to verbalize the cleaning supplies he/she will need for each chore

o Youth has demonstrated his/her ability to organize and keep his/her bedrooms clean daily

o Transportation

o Youth understands how to navigate the local transit system – including the cost and schedule

o Housing

o Youth understands the difference between subsidized and affordable housing

o Youth understands landlord/tenant law and housing rights

o Youth understands required documents for housing applications including references

o Youth understands where to find affordable/free household items and furniture

o Youth understands that he/she must have a back-up plan when applying for one single apartment

o Youth understands where the local shelters are located

o Mail

o Youth has demonstrated his/her ability to correctly fill out and mail an envelope

o Youth understands where to go to mail a package

o Youth understands where the local post office is located

o Youth understands where to buy stamps

*ILP requirements are the basic requirements according to MDHHS but are subject to change to include additional items as needed by a youth.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 16 – 20 per week

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Choose your own hours
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18