Family Support Worker Independent Living

Job Description
The Family Support Worker for Independent Living provides support to children/families with a case plan goal of APPLA to assist them in life skills development, accessing community resources to meet their individual needs, and promote a successful transition from foster care.

• Provides direct services to youth.
• Support case plan goals and transition plans through teaching, role modeling, and demonstration.
• Participates in case conferences, client assessments, and in the team, decision making process.
• Assists youth to establish a support network with family, kinship, and community that will be available to youth post custody.
• Refers youth to community services and assists in arranging appointments as needed.
• Assists in gathering information for initial and on-going assessments and transition plans.
• Assists in ensuring the youth has their important documents prior to release from custody such as birth certificate, social security card, state ID.
• May assist with completion of aged out medical card application for youth.
• Partners with IL support services staff to ensure the youth is provided opportunities to participate in community activities related to the development of IL skills and RYAC meetings.
• Provides intervention for children and families in crisis situations.
• Ability to work with the court system and follow court protocols including appropriate business attire.
• Participates in court proceedings, including testifying, and makes sure court orders are followed.
• Completes and maintains written documentation in child/family's case record accurately and within established time frames.
• Supports kinship and foster families to maintain placements and help children work toward permanency.
• Participates in team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/families' progress; critical trends, barriers, and solutions to achieving outcomes; and relationships with other agencies/communities.
• Works collaboratively and with Permanency Specialist assigned.
• Supervises and transports children and families as needed.
• Reports critical incidents to DCF verbally within 12 hours, written within 24 hours.
• Implements Saint Francis Ministries policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent Saint Francis Ministries Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), rules, personnel policies and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms.
• Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures.
• Reports unusual incidents through appropriate Risk Management, clinical and safety channels.
• Ensures clients' rights are protected

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Prefer 2 years' experience working with children and families.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must pass a drug screen, MVR, KBI, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Clearance check and an Adult Registry Check
• FBI Fingerprint check
• Lifting requirement of 50 lbs.
• Must have a valid driver's license, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation