Lead Specialist - Lifeset

PHMC is proud to be a leader in public health. PHMC requires that all employees have received the first Covid-19 vaccination dose by the first day of employment. We will offer the Covid-19 vaccination at no cost, via our Health Centers.
Position Summary:
The LifeSet Lead Specialist will provide youth driven direct individual case management services to LifeSet youth. The LifeSet Lead Specialist will serve older youth between the ages of 17-23 years of age who are transitioning out of care. The LifeSet Lead Specialist will provide quality case management services building on the youth's individual strengths while adhering to the LifeSet program model and DCFS standards. The LifeSet Lead Specialist will serve as the assigned legal case worker and adhere to all LifeSet, Turning Points and DHS service requirements.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Carry a reduced case load of 4-5 LifeSet cases and assume responsibility for the delivery of case management services to assigned youth.
• Provide leadership support [Review Treatment Plans, Conduct Group Supervision, Facilitate Clinical Consultation] in the absence of the LifeSet Supervisor due to illness, vacation, etc.
• Provide case management support activities [Session, court, meeting, documentation coverage] in the absence of the LifeSet Specialist due to illness, vacation or otherwise assigned by the Supervisor.
• Provide training and guidance to new hires [or as needed to current staff]-to include initial and ongoing training, observation, scheduled office hours, daily check ins, etc.
• Provide assistance to Supervisor to ensure compliance and quality of services and documentation-to include mock reviews, spot checks, surveys and other quality assurance activities.
• Facilitate, attend and/or engage in marketing activities to promote local program awareness to recruit program referrals and staff, when needed.
• Adhere to LifeSet processes, Turning Points and DHS policies and procedures relevant to child welfare services to ensure compliance.
• Attend training opportunities as required by Turning Points, 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 clients that adequately and appropriately address the youths unique service needs.
• Implements client service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor as required.
• Demonstrates insight regarding youths' strengths and needs and incorporates this into service planning and assessment.
• Assesses and monitors the safety of clients in current living arrangement and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement.
• Assesses permanency options; recommends permanency plan for clients; and implements plan to achieve permanency for clients.

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 client 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 and other service providers or community organizations to coordinate client services or to make referrals.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Documentation and Reporting

• Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services, as well as required written reports.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and weekly client records and data as required by Turning Points and DHS.
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or TPFC 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 client face-to-face contact through required number of home and office visits. In person contacts will occur in community and at minimum of once per month home visit.
• Engages resistant and/or mandated clients in services.
• Provides outreach to client, family members and other significant people in the client's life to maintain contact and to develop resources for the client. Maintains required contact with relevant family members, assesses their need for services, and works on relationship building between client and family.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• BA. or MSW or MA/MS in Human Services/Psychology/Counseling.
• 3 to 5 years of case management experience preferred.

Educational and Work Qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Working knowledge of community resources to use in serving clients 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 practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver's license and insurance, access to a car, and the ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of PHMC.
• Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• 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 clients and coworkers
• Understands and supports's standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it
• Responds to clients and their families, Turning Points staff, PHMC 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.

Work Environment: This position requires local travel to provide services to youth at their placements and in their community. This position may require the transportation of clients and/or their children.
Work Conditions: This position will require being on-call and work on weekends, evenings, and overtime.
Salary:

• Commensurate with education and experience.
• Grade 14