Family Support Worker - Independent Living

• Provides direct services to youth
• Support case plan goals and transition plans through teaching, role modeling, and demonstration
• Participates in case conferences, client assessments and in the team decision making process
• Assists youth to establish a support network with family, kinship and community that will be available to youth post custody
• Refers youth to community services and assists in arranging appointments as needed
• Assists in gathering information for initial and on-going assessments and transition plans
• Assists in ensuring the youth has their important documents prior to release from custody such as birth certificate, social security card and state ID
• May assist with completion of aged out medical card application for youth
• Partners with IL support services staff to ensure the youth is provided opportunities to participate in community activities related to the development of IL skills and RYAC meetings
• Provides intervention for children and families in crisis situations
• Ability to work with the court system and follow court protocols including appropriate business attire
• Participates in court proceedings, including testifying, and makes sure court orders are followed
• Completes and maintains written documentation in child/family's case record accurately and within established timeframes
• Supports kinship and foster families to maintain placements and help children work toward permanency
• Participates in team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/families progress; critical trends, barriers and solutions to achieving outcomes and relationship with other agencies/communities
• Works collaboratively with Permanency Specialist assigned
• Supervises and transports children and families and needed

• High School Diploma or equivalent

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must pass a drug screen, MVR, KBI, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Clearance check and an Adult Registry Check
• FBI Fingerprint check
• Lifting Requirement of 50 lbs
• Must have a valid drivers license, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Mandated Reporter
• Receives training in trauma informed practice and incorporates knowledge in day-to-day practice
• Ability to work flexible schedule including on-call
• Understanding of family centered practice
• Understanding of the child welfare and state system
• Ability to engage youth and families in working relationships
• Understanding of child and adolescent development
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel throughout the State
• Consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules and regulations
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Handles multiple priorities
• Independent discretion/decision making within the scope and responsibility of the position 
• Manages emotions and can make decisions under pressure
• Manages stress appropriately
• Works in close proximity to others and/or in a distracting environment
• Works with others effectively/teamwork
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Understands and practices Universal Precautions