Youth Group Home Direct Care Staff

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To help ensure that each participant remain stable at the site and make progress toward his permanency goals prescribed by his permanency order. This position will be responsible for performing day-to-day support services assistance to the participants of the program. The minimum age for this position is 21 years.
ORGANIZATION AND COORDINATING
Screening/Intake
Assist with the retrieval of necessary documentation for participant enrollment into the program.
Conduct participant orientations to familiarize them with program expectations, conduct clothing inventory, and build rapport.
Assist Case Manager in the process of receiving a new participant.
Meet immediate needs of participant as much as able.
Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.
Interfacing - Communication

1. Ability to communicate and work with children with varying ages and skills; and provide necessary guidance, support, and supervision to participants at all times.
2. Ability to observe participant behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and enforce, program standards, safety regulations, and emergency procedures.
3. LEAD participants into full participation in ALL educational and recreational aspects of the program.
4. Set a good example for participants including cleanliness, punctuality, sportsmanship etc...
5. Maintain positive public relations with participant's families.
6. Facilitate interaction between participant, and participant as well as participant, and staff.
7. Participate in department and company employee meetings.
8. Provide frequent feedback and positive reinforcement to participants.
9. Interact and effectively communicate with colleagues in a professional fashion.
10. Communicate all necessary information to Lead Staff and Program Director.
11. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.

Linkage

1. Ensure safe environment of participants when transporting youth to home visits and sibling visits by observing the neighborhood and home environment, and speaking with responsible family members who are present.
2. Ensure that all documentation and other correspondence from all medical appointments, Court visits, etc. is delivered to the case manager.
3. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.

Monitoring

1. Ensure safe environment of participants when transporting youth to home visits and sibling visits by observing the neighborhood and home environment, and speaking with responsible family members who are present.
2. Actively participate in daily routines (including but not limited to daily chores and meal preparation.)
3. Reinforce program safety regulations
4. Maintain participant/ staff ratios at all times
5. Maintain a milieu environment that helps develop self control and respect.
6. Conduct random room searches.
7. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.

Direct Service

1. Prepare participants for all daily activities and trips.
2. Develop participant activities with participants and other staff as appropriate.
3. Conduct daily dinner discussions about life lessons.
4. Add variations and supplemental information that will stimulate and expand the skills of the participants.
5. Implement the lesson plans (extra learning program) and life skills groups provided by the program coordinator
6. Provide transportation for participants to all medical/dental appointments, court visits, school, ACR, etc.
7. Conduct safety drills and checks routinely.
8. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.

ADMINISTRATIVE
Documentation/Record Keeping

1. Prepare and submit daily communication log notes accurately in a grammatically correct fashion.
2. Documentation of any Unusual Incident of any participants on a UIR Form.
3. Submit all necessary documentation to Case Manager, Program Coordinator, HR Dept., and Executive Director as requested.
4. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be asked of you as required.

Agency Activities/Trainings/Other
Attend and participate in all initial and on going training
Actively participate in orientation and staff training, assigned staff meetings
Attend "All Staff" meetings
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: High School Diploma
Experience: At least 2 years experience working with adolescent and teenage youth (residential experience preferred)
Credentials: N/A
Candidates must have a valid driver's license, good driving record, and a clear background.
Illinois
Toxicology screening prior to hire.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to communicate and work with children with varying ages and skills; and provide necessary guidance, support, and supervision to participants at all times.
2. Mathematics and language arts proficiency
3. First aid and CPR certified
4. Passion to make a positive impact on the lives of youth in the community and to educate them to proficiency
5. Ability to observe participant behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures.
6. Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other risks related to an activity.
7. Physical endurance to engage children and adolescents in respective activities
8. Physical strength and ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring medical intervention, and de-escalation.
9. Cognitive ability to provide leadership to achieve participant goals and objectives.
10. Excellent communication and organizational skills
11. Able to work collaboratively with teams
12. Demonstrated reliability regarding attendance and work performance
13. Ability to be creative, flexible and adaptive in ALL situations, activities and responsibilities
14. Must be a team player
15. Must want to help address the needs of the community

WORKING CONDITIONS: working conditions with the absence of disagreeable elements.
Note:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of working being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.