SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative seeks a Youth LifeSet Specialist to implement the LifeSet model, which addresses the needs of young people aged 17-22 transitioning out of foster care. This role provides individualized skill development and support to help these youth transition successfully into adulthood.
The Specialist supports youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and suitable housing, continuing their education, learning independent living skills, obtaining and maintaining employment, building a support system, and remaining free from legal involvement.
LifeSet Model Components include:
- Low caseloads - each specialist works with 8-10 youth.
- Community-based - specialists meet with young people wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community).
- Intensive - minimum of one face-to-face session per week; 24/7 on call.
- Systemic approach - incorporates multiple aspects of the youth’s natural ecology (e.g., community, peers, family, and school).
- Time-limited (9-12 months) - youth-driven services with program completion dictated by youth demonstrating new skills and stability and success achieving youth-identified goals.
- Comprehensive - addressing the full range of a youth’s needs and goals (e.g., academic, career, housing, relationships).
The Specialist provides individual services to 8-10 youth in home and community settings to assist their transition to adulthood. The Specialist meets a minimum of one time per week face-to-face with the youth and provides additional support via phone, text, or in person as needed. When indicated, the Specialist may see a youth daily to ensure safety and stability.
Additionally, the LifeSet Specialist is directly responsible for all interventions associated with the youth and their family. This includes case management and collaboration with external key stakeholders and referral sources, such as probation, child welfare workers, therapists, etc.
The Specialist conducts ongoing assessments of the youth’s needs from a strength-focused, solution-based perspective and develops service plans on a monthly basis. The Specialist also documents all service contacts with the youth (within 7 days of contact) and attends all meetings related to the youth and/or family to gather information specific to intervention development and advocate for the youth’s long-term stability.
The Specialist is on call 24/7 and is expected to respond in person at any time when deemed necessary. Furthermore, the Specialist attends and actively participates in individual and team supervision sessions and trainings, adhering to all ethical and legal guidelines, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.
SCO Family of Services is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Qualifications - External
Education:
Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree with one year related experience.
Experience:
Experience working in Education, Foster Care, and within the community setting (preferred).
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, a strong sense of empathy towards our populations served, and a passion for the field of child welfare.
Ability to respond to the unique developmental needs of youth in different stages of maturation.
Ability to work with youth that have histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, different cultural backgrounds, and varying socioeconomic statuses.
Ability to be flexible with schedule (including potential evenings and weekends) that will revolve around the needs of youth.
Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with individuals who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or who may be in different stages of discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Strong time management skills, diligence, resilience, and experience working in a unit or team.
Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with CONNECTIONS preferred.
Valid NYS Driver’s License preferred. Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.
Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.
Licenses & Certifications
Required:
DRIVER'S LICENSE
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