Independent Living Coordinator I - Child Welfare

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However sometimes children, and their families, need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that young adults who are transitioning out of the foster care system have the necessary knowledge, skills and resources that will ensure their successful independence from care. Special attention must be given to the youth’s educational progress; development of employment skills as well as ensuring each youth has a network of supportive adults to support them in their transition.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as primary case manager for youth 18-23
• Serves as secondary case manager for youth 17
• Schedules Transition Meetings/My Pathways to Success Plans in the youth’s home
• Completes quarterly home visits every 30 days with youth age 17 in licensed foster care
• Ensures youth are receiving life skills in their placement and tracks their progress their formal 17 year old assessments
• Assists with educational workshops geared toward youth/young adults
• Assists with various youth functions that may occur after hours including the Youth Advisory Council, Summer Camps and IL Graduation Celebration
• Prepares and processes necessary paperwork for youth participating in the Road to Independence Program which are the following programs: Postsecondary Education Services and Support, Educational Training Voucher (ETV), (PESS), Extended Foster Care (EFC) and Aftercare programs,
• Prepares Case Plans and Judicial Reviews and attends court for young adults ages 18-22 in Extended Foster Care
• Attends court hearings for youth age 17-year-old in Licensed care and prepares a Status Report to be filed with the court
• Monitors youth and young adults educational progress to ensure success
• Monitors youth in EFC program in their placement
• Involved with community outreach and organizations
• Documents all efforts and work done with IL youth/young adults in the Florida Safe Family Network
• Serves as liaison for Kids Central, Inc. with case management agencies, local school systems and foster parents
• May speak on behalf of Kids Central, Inc. at public forums
• Assists with Family Finding for youth and young adults
• Transports youth/young adults as needed to court, counseling, etc….
• Advocates for the youth/young adult in all areas related to independent living (educational success, mental health services, statewide assistance, employment, etc…)
• Develops a thorough knowledge of Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes that affect the IL program as well as Kids Central’s Policies and Procedures
• Provides 24-hour Crisis Intervention to youth formerly in foster care
• Other duties as assigned

This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central, Inc. reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training, Years of Experience:

• Master’s degree preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field. If degree is in an unrelated field, must be eligible for a waiver. Eligible college or university degrees must be awarded by an institution accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the Federal Department of Education and/or Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The college or university must have been accredited at the time the degree was awarded.
• 2-3 years of Child Welfare experience preferred.

License/Certification/Special Requirements:

• Child Welfare Certification preferred but not required at time of hire. Must obtain and maintain certification in good standings within one year of employment.
• Must maintain a clear criminal background and driving record. Valid Florida Driver’s license required.
• Must maintain and show proof of the appropriate automobile insurance limits ($100,000/$300,000) per Florida Statutes and have reliable transportation.
• Must successfully clear Level II Background Screen
• Must have a passion for teens/young adults
• Must be able to work independently and cohesively with a team in the work place

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to meet Organizational Required Competency standards
• Excellent communications (verbal and written)
• Effective platform (public speaking) skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Excellent mentoring skills
• Excellent critical thinking skills
• Ability to assess risk
• Ability to travel up to 65%
• Ability to safely operate motor vehicle
• Ability to complete tasks timely in accordance with Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 is generally in an office environment, but may also be required to visit other settings such as a client’s home, court, or other agencies. The noise level is usually moderate.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must also frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee is regularly required to bend/stoop and kneel. Repetitive motion is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.