YV LifeSet Case Specialist
UCAN - chicago, IL
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Description Position Title: YV LifeSet Lead Case Specialist Department: YV LifeSet Department Reports to: YV LifeSet Case Specialist Supervisor Position Objective and Summary : The YV Lifeset Case Specialist will provide youth driven direct individual case management services to YV Lifeset youth who are defined as young adults who meet the complex care criteria. These young adults are between the ages of 17 ½ -21 years of age who are transitioning out of care. The YV-Lifeset Case Specialist will have a reduced caseload size of approximately 5 young adults and serve as intake assessment and case management support to the YV Lifeset Case Specialist Supervisor and Case Specialist team. The YV Lifeset Case Specialist provides quality case management services building on the young adults' individual strengths while adhering to YV Lifeset program model and DCFS standards. The YV Lifeset Lead Case Specialists will serve as the assigned legal case worker and adhere to all YV Lifeset, UCAN and DCFS service requirements. Essential Functions and Responsibilities : Assess young adults for YV Lifeset by reading their intake packets and conducting their ANSA-T Assessments. Assist young adults with obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing and/or placement within the TLP's and communities. Support young adults with their educational goals while teaching independent living skills, Educating and providing support to help young adults with obtaining, and maintaining employment, building a support system, and following the law to remain free from legal involvement. Carry a reduced case load of approximately 5 young adults who are assessed as complex care and assume responsibility for the delivery of individual case management services. Ensure all parenting youth assigned are provided with supportive resources to enhance their parenting knowledge and skills. Provide leadership and case coverage support to the Lifeset Case Specialist team in the absence of the Lifeset Case Specialist Supervisor due to illness, vacation, etc. Provide case management support activities in the absence of the Lifeset Case Specialist due to illness, vacation, or otherwise assigned by the supervisor. Adhere to Lifeset processes, UCAN's and DCFS policies and procedures relevant to child welfare services to ensure compliance. Attend training opportunities as required by UCAN, DCFS, YV-LifeSet or recommended by supervisor. Provides 24/7 On-Call services (rotating on-call at night and on weekends) and responds in person at any time when it is determined to be necessary by the team supervisor and program director. Assessment and Service Planning Completes as required, assessments and service plans for assigned older youth which adequately and appropriately addresses the young adults unique service needs. Implements youth service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor and DCFS as required. Demonstrates insight regarding young adults' strengths and needs and incorporates this into service planning and assessment. Assesses and monitors the safety of youth in current living arrangements and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement. Assesses permanency options; recommends permanency plan for youth and implements plan to achieve permanency for youth. Organization and Service Delivery Attends and actively participates in individual and team supervision sessions and trainings and follows up and/or implements feedback and recommendations received from the team supervisor, program director, and clinical consultant. Provides referral and linkage to appropriate resources; secures all written agreements in accordance with guidelines established by contracting agencies and other outside sources. Recommends and obtains supervisor approval of limited financial assistance for young adult needs. Creates organized plans so that all casework tasks can be completed as required. Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email, and phone call inquiries regarding clients. Contacts courts, DCFS, and other service providers or community organizations to coordinate services or to make referrals (Community Mapping). Attends court hearing, ACR's and client staffing's. Performs other related tasks as required or assigned. Documentation and Reporting Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of youth services, as well as required written reports. Maintains accurate, complete, and weekly youth records and data as required by UCAN and IDCFS. Completes all necessary youth data information in all required data tracking systems. Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN or by mandated reporting law. Client Outreach and Engagement Attends 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. Maintains weekly and when appropriate more frequent face-to-face contact through required number of home and office visits. In person contacts will occur in the community and at minimum of once per month home visit. Engages challenging and/or mandated youth in services. Provides outreach to youth, family members and other significant people in the youth's life to maintain contact and to develop resources for them. Maintains required contact with relevant family members, assesses their need for services, and works on building relationships between youth and family. Supports Parenting Skills and Child Development Completes required parenting assessments and child development screens of assigned parenting youth and their child(ren). Provides individualized education to teen parents regarding developmental expectations, health and safety issues, and infant/child bonding. Assists parents in understanding and following through with recommendations made by their children's service providers when necessary. Assists parents in obtaining daycare, WIC, their child(ren)'s immunization and medical records, and Head Start. Develops a working knowledge of community parenting resources, which may be used in serving parents and maintains close working relationship with these resources. Assesses and monitors the safety of children living with parents and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement and services. Professionalism and Work Conduct Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN. Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with youth and colleagues. Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others. Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled. Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of youth and coworkers. Understands and supports UCAN's standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet agency standards. Responds to youth and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need. Ability to read and understand general guidelines, procedures, policies, and internal communications. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, employees, and the public. Performs other related tasks as required or assigned. Education/Job Experience/Certification : Bachelors Degree in Social Work/ Human Services/Psychology/Counseling. 2 to 3 years of case management experience. Special Knowledge and Qualifications : Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice. Working knowledge of community resources to use in serving young adults and maintains productive working relationship with these resources. Demonstrated understanding of Positive Youth Development. Ability to work flexible and/or varying shifts, including evenings and weekends. Proficiency in operating a computer with Microsoft Office suite of applications. Ability to interpret and accurately apply the regulations of federal and state programs. Respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers. Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Excellent writing skills and record keeping practice. Excellent interpersonal skills. Valid Illinois driver's license and insurance, access to a car, and the ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations. Work Environment: This position requires local travel to provide services to youth at the TLP placements and in their community. This position may require the transportation of youth and/or their children. This position requires being part of the On-call rotation. Position may require work on weekends, evenings, and overtime.
Created: 2024-10-08