Aftercare Coordinator/Independent Living Specialist

The work involves responsibility for providing life skills services for youth group homes and foster care. The Independent Living & Aftercare Coordinator coordinates and carries out life skills services for the Group Home Department and Foster Care Department and is responsible for discharge planning and associated aftercare services planning for each youth entering Abbott House QRTP Group Home Placement. The Independent Living & Aftercare Coordinator is responsible for delivery of services according to agency policies and state and federal law for all youth eligible for independent living services and aftercare in the Group Home Department. The Independent Living & Aftercare Coordinator serves as team participant assisting case planners, childcare staff, social workers, and other agency or community representatives, and youth in coordinating and delivering the services of the life skills program. The Independent Living & Aftercare Coordinator will develop objectives that are measurable and may change throughout the youth’s placement at the Group Home to reflect progress toward achieving goals. The Independent Living & Aftercare Coordinator will also provide the required QRTP services for all Group Home youth for a minimum of six months post-discharge or step-down.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk.  The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Computer – The Independent Living Specialist must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Office Equipment- The Independent Living Specialist is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Communication - The Independent Living Specialist needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Writing - The Independent Living Specialist must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Driving - The Independent Living Specialist must have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
• Lifting - The Independent Living Specialist may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• Push/Pull - The Independent Living Specialist may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Sitting, Standing and Walking – The Independent Living Specialist will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.
• Stooping -The Independent Living Specialist may occasionally stoop.  This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling -The Independent Living Specialist may occasionally kneel.  This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• Crouching - The Independent Living Specialist may occasionally crouch.  This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co- workers.  The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.

• Master’s Degree in a related field preferred. Bachelors required. Minimum of 4 years of full-time experience working with high-risk youth (i.e., emotionally disturbed (SED), Juvenile Delinquents (JD), or Persons in Need of Supervision PINS) in a residential setting or in a community-based program specializing in services for high-risk youth and their families.
• Working knowledge of the modern principles and practices of case work along with experience within the child welfare system.
• Working knowledge of researching and engaging community services.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Group Home population.
• Ability to plan and collaborate with youth and the team.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with Connections is a plus.  
• Ability to plan, lead, conduct groups with youth and adult training sessions.
• Ability to make oral and written reports.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to model and present professionally.
• Good assessment and interviewing and counseling skills.

• Full-time: 35 Hours per Week
• Hours are Late Morning to Early Evening to accommodate meeting with youth.
• The Independent Living & Aftercare Coordinator is contracted for 35 hours a week.

Salary : $50,000 - $55,000