Foster Care Youth Specialist UMCF is seeking licensed professionals to be part of our Foster Care Program. Individual takes primary responsibility to facilitate team meetings with the Placing Agency, Foster Parent(s) and other service providers as well as the child and their biological family. In collaboration with the rest of the service team is responsible for providing and/or accessing appropriate services for children and their families. Is responsible for providing mental health services for children, working with their foster and primary families. Position Summary The Foster Care Youth Specialists primary responsibility is to act as a support and advocate to the youth placed within our foster network, but also encompass a responsibility to the associated foster and biological families of that youth as well as the youth's legal guardian /custodian of care. The Foster Care Youth Specialist provides supportive services and education to both youth and families. The Foster Care Youth Specialist is responsible for the development and implementation all service documentation for each youth. The Treatment Coordinator will take the lead in discharge planning and participate in finalizing discharge plans as needed. The Foster Care Youth Specialist often functions as a liaison, teacher, guide, trainer, support, and partner with the foster families and/or biological families. The Foster Care Youth Specialist will advocate for, coordinate and link children and their families with needed services. The Foster Care Youth Specialist will take into consideration the case plan of each youth on their assigned caseload, and take necessary steps in assisting their clients to achieve permanency.

Duties and Responsibilities Provision of Direct Services:

1. Meet all newly admitted clients within twenty-four (24) hours and/or one (1) business day of placement and twice within 72 hours of placement; Facilitate weekly client contact as mandated by youth LOC and ODJFS placing agencies 2. Establish ongoing collaboration with the service team for the development and maintenance of service plans and ongoing documentation; Responsible for scheduling and facilitation of service team meetings with the Placing Agency, Foster Parent(s), and/or other service providers, as well as the child and their biological family on a routine basis 3. Perform initial and ongoing evaluation of each client assigned; spend one-on-one time with each youth in accordance with ODJFS expectations and contracts and provide the opportunity for youth to communicate special concerns if needed; Responsible for the direct assessment of the youth's progress and monitor for any signs of abuse/neglect or concerns 4. Facilitate and maintain consistent contact with the placing agency/guardian/custodian of youth to ensure team cohesion and effective progress updates; complete documentation of contact according to agency and ODJFS guidelines 5. Assist in discharge planning including coordination of, and linkage to, services needed by the client and/or following discharge from the foster home

Productivity and Documentation:

1. Meet productivity expectations and complete documentation of all client activity within forty-eight (48) hours 2. Responsible for creating and maintaining monthly reports and submitting to supervisor by the 5th of each month 3. Complete service plans for all children placed in care within 30 days of placement and update every 90 days after; Complete IL skills assessment every 6 months for youth 14 and up 4. Complete the initial and ongoing evaluation of each client assigned per ODJFS standards and program contracts 5. Coordinate referrals internally (psychology, psychiatry, other) and externally to meet youth's needs 6. Provide and document discharge planning prior to youth leaving care; provide discharge summary for youth within 48 hours of discharge Support/Consultation to

Foster Parents:

1. Provide regular support and supervision to foster parents in their implementation of the in-home portion of the service plan; Support and supervision include emotional support and relationship building, the sharing of information and general training to enhance professional development, assessment of the child's progress, observation/assessment of family interactions, and assessment of safety issues 2. Ensure the foster parents are completing necessary documentation for the youth in their care; documentation includes, but is not limited to, foster parent monthly reports, medication logs, medical appointment forms, providing UMCF Family Services with copies of school documents (such as IEP materials, report cards, etc.), providing UMCF Family Services with copies of other necessary documents (such as Medicaid Card, ICCA, Court Documents), maintaining lifebooks, etc

Program Specific Other Related Duties:

1. Participate in agency Quality Improvement activities as assigned, such as participation in record review, completion of outcome Surveys, completion of developmental evaluations, completion of Ohio Scales, encouraging youth to complete Youth Satisfaction Surveys, etc. 2. On-call duties will be completed as arranged by Foster Care program leadership 3. Perform other related duties as required by the program or agency Qualifications An example of acceptable qualifications (at least one of the following): Must possess a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field. Licensure as an LPC, LSW, or LMFT preferred. Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Ability to pass a Federal and State Fingerprinting Background Check both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients served
• Skill in organization and attention to detail
• Ability to use analytical and critical thinking
• Ability to assess foster home strengths, analyze referral forms, and participate in best child-to-foster home match decisions
• Ability to build rapport with foster parents and in-depth understanding of foster home strengths and challenges
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of children's service referral staff
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with short and multiple deadlines
• Ability to administer private, nonprofit service organizations, including an understanding of the legal responsibilities and constraints of such organizations
• Ability to obtain and manage external grants and contracts
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, regional, and local agencies, community leaders, and the general public.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in oral and written form.

Join Us Join a supportive collaborative team of peers and supervisors providing a highly successful rate of mental health improvement among our clients! We provide excellent supervision and competitive benefits including continuing education opportunities. We are an equal-opportunity employer.

Benefits include:

Competitive salary Health insurance with HRA & FSA, or HSA, with agency contribution. Dental insurance Paid vision insurance Paid life, short- and long-term disability insurance Retirement plan with company match after 1 year of service Employee assistance program Generous PTO & Holiday Pay Moving expenses considered for individuals who would relocate for qualifying positions Sign on bonus for qualifying positions We are an equal opportunity employer Become a part of a great team!

Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to pass a Federal and State Fingerprinting Background Check both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.

CORE VALUES

Embody our core values and have the same expectations for others.

• Compassion We believe in meeting individuals in their current reality with understanding.
• Trust We believe honesty is essential to our culture. Our transparent and ethical actions build trust with youth, families and the community.
• Commitment We believe in consistently delivering on expectations and go the extra mile to get the job done.
• Teamwork We believe great ideas and best outcomes happen in inclusive environments.
• Innovation We believe in developing new and creative ways to serve people.

We listen to all ideas.

Required License:

Ohio Counselor, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapist Board Licensure Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$46,000.00 - $49,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Relocation assistance

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Mental health counseling: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

LSW/LPC (Required)

Work Location:

In person