Job Title

Independent Living Specialist

Company Overview

Advantage Family Outreach and Foster Care (AFOFC) is a private, non-profit foster care network which operates as a Title IV-E approved and CARF accredited Agency. For 24 years, AFOFC has provided quality and positive substitute care for children in foster care. With over 50 licensed therapeutic foster homes, we serve children in need of a safe, loving, and stable home while also providing therapeutic services to the children based on their individual needs. As children reach the age of adulthood, it is essential that they receive independent living skills to be successful and eventually live on their own.

Due to the increasing number of foster children in the system it is becoming more and more difficult to place teenagers in an adoptive home. AFOFC has recognized and implemented a program to help these children remain in a home like environment while also receiving hands on independent living skills that are essential for their self-sufficiency. AFOFC independent living homes are dedicated to providing a safe and stable environment for teenagers with a focus on independent living skills for youth aging out of the foster care system. The purpose of AFOFC Independent Living Homes is to provide care and services to adolescents who are not able to return to or live with their families for a variety of reasons. The structure of the home is aimed at preparing the youth for self-sufficiency.

Job Overview

AFOFC is looking for motivated individuals to teach youth independent living skills through many different areas of life. As an Independent Living Specialist (ILS), you will provide teenagers aging out of the foster care system with critical independent living skills, including financial management, academic support, home care, job preparation, and health education. You will oversee their daily safety and supervision, maintain necessary records, and coordinate with various support team members. You will also ensure compliance with court-ordered visitation or communication, educational commitments, medical appointments, medication administration, etc. Independent Living Specialists play a key role in each teen's development, advocating and mentoring them towards a successful transition into adulthood.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide independent living skills to teenagers aging out of the foster care system. Independent living skills include, but are not limited to, budgeting, financial management (manage bank accounts, how to lease an apartment), educational/academic support (tutoring, after-school programs), home management (cooking, cleaning, chores, hygiene), career preparation/employment (looking for jobs, interviewing, professional ways to act on the job, resume building, looking at colleges/trade schools), Health education (unhealthy/healthy relationships, healthy boundaries, birth control) etc. The provision of these services may be the result of instructions provided, direct interaction, and modeled behavior.
• Provide physical care and direct supervision to the youth and ensure their basic and safety needs are met on a daily basis. Direct supervision includes ensuring 5-10 teenagers are being cared for at one time (male and female homes separate).
• Maintain and complete incident reports, medication logs, progress reports and other essential records as it pertains to the youth’s care while in the program.
• Work directly with and communicate with multiple community organizations such as children services staff, juvenile court staff, school staff, family members and other supports for the child including employers, coaches, family friends.
• Coordinate and ensure court ordered visitation with their family is occurring through face to face contact, phone calls, texts, emails or letters.
• Ensure the youth attend all medical, dental and school related appointments.
• Ensure the youth follow the program through a structured schedule of many different activities pertaining to teaching independent living skills. Play a major role in the success of the youth in the program.
• Participate in and plan activities for the youth including extracurricular activities, trips, group activities, sporting events, etc.
• Advocate, support, and mentor youth to assist in becoming successful adults.

Job Skills and Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
• Must be able to pass varying background checks, including but not limited to BCI and FBI
• Weekend availability, including Saturdays, Sundays, and occasional Fridays
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Experience working with youth
• Familiarity with a range of independent living skills and ability to support and teach youth such skills
• Ability to be trained in and comprehend trauma-informed care

Preferred

• Training or experience in trauma-informed care, including but not limited to strategies for responding to complex childhood trauma
• Associate, Bachelor, or Master Degree in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or a related field

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 16 – 24 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance

Patient demographics:

• Adolescents

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Night shift
• Rotating weekends

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to work weekends?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Working directly with youth: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)
• Night Shift (Preferred)
• Overnight Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Crestline, OH 44827 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Crestline, OH 44827: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person