Service Transition Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: TPSN Transition Coordinator
Department: Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN)
Reports to: TPSN Clinical Case Consultant Supervisor

About the Program:

Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN): is a statewide Network that works exclusively with pregnant and parenting youth in DCFS care and their children. In managing statewide services for pregnant and parenting youth under a single umbrella, UCAN provides seamless service to placement providers and pregnant and parenting youth through a continuum of care. UCAN provides a full scope of clinical, training, education and parenting services designed to help young parents coping with the effects of trauma. UCAN starts by meeting youth where they are at, identifying strengths and building from success. UCAN staff members are trained to identify and treat the effects of trauma while enhancing the parenting capacity of youth so that they can be the best parents that they can be.

Position Objective and Summary:

The TPSN Transition Coordinator acts as a liaison to agencies servicing pregnant/parenting youth, dually involved youth, and youth leaving care. This position requires strong emphasis on relationship building and networking with DCFS, case management agencies, and community resources. The position of TPSN Program Coordinator may also require direct supervision of part-time and/or intern positions.

In the Transition Coordinator's role in the DCFS Countdown to 21 (C21) project, they act as the team lead in coordinating all aspects of the C21 administrative process, including: acting as liaison with DCFS staff, supporting the Clinical Consulting team in implementation of C21-related tasks, and reporting on a weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual basis to both internal and external stakeholders.

In the Transition Coordinator's role in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, they act as a lead in managing various projects, including: management of youth involved in the justice system and other projects, as assigned.

The Transition Coordinator may have 0-15 Clinical Case Consultation assignments, as the workflow allows. In the Coordinator's support of Clinical Consulting, they will assist case management and treatment teams in providing appropriate services and interventions to young pregnant/parenting youth. They will also assist with triage of high-needs youth/cases before case assignment to other team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Manages TPSN C21 project

• Serve as point of contact between DCFS and TPSN in all matters related to C21.
• Participate quarterly in presentations/meetings with DCFS Administration regarding analysis of C21 data.
• Monitor and manage data from multiple sources, providing regular feedback to internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Manage project logistics (scheduling, staff coverage, implementation of C21 policies).
• Provide ongoing guidance and leadership to team members in all matters related to the C21.

Manages C21 and other TPSN projects, as assigned

• Serve as point of contact between DCFS and TPSN
• Participate in all required training and calls with DCFS
• Serve as direct supervisor to potential intern offering regular reflective supervision to best serve any assigned young people
• Monitor and manage data for all projects, reporting to external stakeholders
• Manage project logistics (scheduling, coverage, implementation of guidelines, transition funds and other C21 policies)

Provides Clinical Consultation

• Facilitate and participate in staffing's, (Clinical/CIPP, Intake, Discharge, Hospitalization) with pregnant/parenting clients, which includes the child and family team (GALs, therapist, foster /bio-family, when appropriate) to assess service needs and implementation of recommended services.
• Regularly monitors cases to assess strengths and risks.
• Provides clinical expertise to staff and direction regarding crisis intervention when the individual teen or their placement is unstable or in crisis.
• Demonstrates insight regarding client's strength and needs and incorporates this into clinical recommendations.

Identifying and Addressing Client Needs

• Make plans and decisions based on clinically and developmentally appropriate, best practice, and ethical considerations.
• Uses population specific knowledge and expertise in developing clinical recommendations and intervention strategies.
• Understands the Mental Health diagnoses of clients and considers those needs in planning services.
• Consider any cultural factors that may be impacting the client or the appropriateness of services, and proficiently addresses them to provide needed services.
• Consults with supervisor, other clinical team staff and agency consultants.

Documentation and Reporting

• Thoroughly document all case interactions which include but are not limited to phone calls, emails, faxes, letters, reports and any other written correspondences within the assigned time frame.
• Communicate as needed with the case manager and other social service providers about the client.
• Writes reports on client progress and participation as requested or needed by various providers.
• Makes frequent reports to supervisors on progress of client services.
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely service documentation as required by UCAN and TPSN policy and procedures.
• Enter updates and maintain accurate data in the DCFS SACWIS and Evolv databases, as required, including the documentation all contacts in Evolv within three days of occurrence.
• Reports all critical incidents, incidents of abuse or neglect, and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN, TPSN or by mandated reporting law and document events within 24 hours of every intervention.

Organization and Service Delivery

• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients.
• Studies, learns and uses UCAN, TPSN and DCFS procedures for providing services to clients. Explains TPSN's services to clients, families and agencies and assists them in the utilization of all available resources.
• Organizes and prioritizes tasks in a manner that results in meeting client needs and in the completion of job requirements.

Building Relationships and Networks

• Engages resistant and/or mandated clients in services.
• Develop effective helping relationships with teen parents.
• Develop effective and collaborative relationships with community agencies and collaterals.
• Facilitate communication between client and case management team, in order to work as a cohesive unit in the client's best interest.
• Works cooperatively with other staff members in TPSN, including RSP staff and TPSN administration.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitment to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others.
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of approaching a case.

Professional Development

• Attends regular supervision, staff meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.
• Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.
• Provide ongoing support to agencies and assign staff in the form of trainings, seminars, resource referrals, relationship building and knowledge of the Teen Parenting Service Network and associated procedure.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education /Job Experience/Certification:

• Project management experience.
• Master's degree in social work or a related Human Service field.
• At least 2-3 years' experience working with pregnant and parenting clients or in the Child Welfare System.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• LCSW or LCPC preferred.

Transition Coordinator: Additional Education /Job Experience/Certification:

• Good standing for 12 months in current position (if internal).
• Most recent performance evaluations are rated as exceeding expectations (if internal).
• Demonstration of Leadership qualities within current role.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Exceptionally strong organizational skills, with high attention to detail.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Proven project management skills.
• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a high functioning team. Proven ability to work effectively with young parents and their children.
• Experience in working with clients with disabilities and community-based resources.
• Car and valid Illinois driver's license required.