JOB SUMMARY
In collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Team, the Youth Specialist will generate and implement a strength based Initial Service Plan (ISP) that will function as the framework guiding treatment processes. At the same time, the child/family participates in residential services. Coordinates internal and external services to ensure that child/youth/family is given the best opportunity to accomplish the depicted objective/goals. Works cooperatively with foster families, birth families, child/youth, referral agencies, school personnel, court, and other professional personnel involved in the treatment of the child. Promptly completes Department of Human Services (DHS) documentation (ISP, USP, DHS-69, court reports, treatment recommendations, etc.) as
the contract requires. Addresses issues regarding permanency related to familial, living
environment/community, and educational/academic domains to ensure lifelong connections in safe and comfortable settings where the child/youth has a sense of belonging and well-being. The Youth Specialist may be required to participate in court hearings and to make professional recommendations to determine the best interests of the child/youth.

This position is a hybrid format of direct care and case management.

3-12 schedule.

AGENCY EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE
 Supports the Mission, Vision, and values of the agency.
 Is sensitive to the cultural diversity of colleagues and clients served.
 Demonstrates ongoing professional growth and knowledge through training and experience.
 Forges mutually respectful partnerships with persons served and their families to assist them in gaining skills and confidence to address the problems and issues they face.
 Believes in the capacity of people to grow and change.
 Adhere to the Diocese of Lansing Code of Ethics.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Attends court hearings, generates reports, and provides testimony to represent Cristo Rey, furnishes updates on progress, and offers professional recommendations for the child/youth's best interests.
• Participates in Intake Case Reviews with a multidisciplinary team to ensure adherence to program criteria for admitting children.
• Ensures timely provision of educational programs for children/youth upon admission.
• Collaborates with the Multidisciplinary Team to develop Initial Service Plans within 30 days of admission, detailing assessment, treatment goals, and methods for achieving discharge to a less restrictive setting.
• Conducts family assessments, facilitates productive visits, and liaises between the child,
biological family, foster family, schools, DHHS, and other involved agencies.
• Cultivates strong relationships with families, DHHS workers, school personnel, and referral sources to facilitate communication and permanency for children in care.
• Coordinates with DHHS and ensures compliance with Children Protection Laws, including reporting requirements.
• Facilitates communication between children's previous and current schools to maintain academic records and address educational needs.
• Develop updated Service Plans within 120 days of admission, reassessing treatment goals and methods for discharge planning.
• Maintains regular contact with school personnel to monitor progress and arrange educational activities.
• Initiates exit reviews of educational plans for youth with identified disabilities before discharge.
• Incorporates Independent Living activities into service plans for youth aged 14 and older.
• Prepares children and families for transitions by discussing interactional patterns and behavior
management techniques.
• Utilizes family-finding techniques to locate connections for children without identified family.
• Provides aftercare/transitional services, submitting Case Action Summaries within 90 days of discharge.
• Fosters an atmosphere of collaboration, openness, and understanding.
• Undertakes additional responsibilities as directed by Program Manager or Director

Competencies - To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
 Problem-Solving: Swiftly identifies and resolves issues, exploring multiple solutions when needed; Thrives in collaborative problem-solving settings, maintaining rationality even in emotionally charged situations.
 Customer Service: Skillfully handles challenging customer interactions with empathy and responsiveness; Prioritizes prompt response to customer needs and requests, consistently meeting commitments.
 Interpersonal Skills: Values confidentiality and maintains emotional composure in interactions.
 Oral Communication: Articulates thoughts clearly and persuasively, adapting communication style to various situations; Listens actively, seeks clarification, and engages effectively in group discussions and meetings.
 Written Communication: Conveys information clearly and effectively in writing, ensuring accuracy and professionalism; Demonstrates flexibility in writing style and adeptness in interpreting written information.
 Managing People: Makes oneself accessible and fosters continuous improvement in processes and services.
 Quality Management: Actively seeks opportunities to enhance quality standards, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in tasks.
 Organizational Support: Adheres to policies and procedures, completes administrative tasks promptly and accurately, and aligns actions with organizational goals and values.
 Judgment: Demonstrates decisiveness and sound judgment, involving appropriate stakeholders in decision-making processes and making timely decisions.
 Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes tasks effectively, optimizes time management, and develops actionable plans with realistic goals.
 Professionalism: Approaches others tactfully, remains composed under pressure, and treats everyone with respect and consideration; Takes ownership of actions and fulfills commitments consistently.
 Quality: Strives for excellence, actively seeking ways to improve and promote quality; Embraces feedback to enhance performance and ensures high work standards.
 Safety and Security: Vigilantly observes safety protocols, takes appropriate action to address unsafe conditions, and handles equipment and materials responsibly.
 Attendance/Punctuality: Maintains consistent and punctual attendance, ensures coverage of responsibilities in absence, and respects others' time by arriving promptly for meetings and appointments.
 Dependability: Follows instructions, takes the initiative, and fulfills commitments reliably; Communicates proactively if unable to meet deadlines or commitments.

Qualifications -
Education/ Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Human Services related field required. Clinical and case management experience with children and families is required.

Also possesses the following abilities:
Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a wide variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment; must include Word and skills in using the internet along with the ability to learn new programs.
Ability to sit and use computer workstation, including keyboard and visual display terminal, for extended periods. Must be able to create, modify, delete, format, and produce finished documents.
Other Qualifications: Must be willing and able to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, as required. Must possess a valid Michigan Driver's License and have no more than three moving violations in the last five years on their driving record. Must provide proof of auto insurance on that vehicle. Proof of liability coverage is required at the time of initial hire and then each time the policy renews. Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Physical Demands—The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must
meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
 Emotionally able to work with information that may be traumatic in nature and with individuals or families in crisis or experiencing trauma.
 Mobility and capacity to manage a violent and self-abusive child when restraint is required to assure safety.
 Ability to stand and walk up to 8 hours per shift.
 Ability to move quickly and be able to run.
 Work involves talking, stooping, squatting, twisting, climbing, kneeling, hearing, using hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
 Must push, pull, lift, and carry up to 30 pounds.
 Work in an environment with various degrees of discomfort.
 Driving as needed throughout the day.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be very loud at times.