Job Details

Independent Living Specialist

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children's mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters helping children and families live successfully.

Program Overview:

The Independent Living Program (ILP) offers young adults (ages 14-24) individualized, clinically focused case management and counseling support across key areas: interpersonal connectedness/social support, housing, mental and physical health, career and employment, life skills, and education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Carries a maximum caseload of 23 young adults
• Meets with the young adult at a minimum of one hour per month, increasing and decreasing as directed by the clinical supervisor on the basis of clinical need
• Conducts individual sessions using strategic interventions to address the following domains: housing, education, natural supports/healthy relationships, employment, health, transportation, and money management
• Provides individual skill-training interventions for assigned caseloads and provides case management related to goals
• Empowers the young adult to build upon and use the supports in their natural environment
• Conducts on-going assessment of young adult to determine their needs from a strength-focused, solution-based perspective
• Plans and attends monthly peer-to-peer events and advocates for youth attendance to meet contract requirements
• Visits school and/or employer to establish working relationships and ensure reasonable performance by the young adult
• Supports young adult to overcome barriers to achieving goals by attending school meetings, DHS meetings, and court hearings as determined by the youth, caseworker, or ILP supervisor
• Completes required DHS documentation including: skills assessments, transition plans, and monthly progress updates within timelines outlined by the program
• Transports young adult to events as needed
• Maintains regular, on-going communication with caseworkers about services being provided
• Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster training sessions to enhance clinical skills
• Provides on-call crisis support to the young adult (schedules vary by location)
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver's license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a social services discipline (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline (required)
• Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
• One year of related experience in counseling and/or case management (required)
• Experience working with at-risk youth and/or families in a volunteer, internship, or paid position (preferred)
• Clinical experience (preferred)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• Time off:
• 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth & development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.