Life Skills Specialist: Launch

Life Skill Specialist

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Job Title: Life Skill Specialist

Employment Type: Full-time, 40 hours/wk

Scheduled Hours: Monday-Friday, 8AM-4:30PM, 2 evenings of availability

Program/Location: Launch, Middletown CT

About the Program: Launch

The Launch Program will provide intensive community-based support for DCF committed youth aged 14-17 years old. The program is comprised of both the Casey Life Skill Assessments (CLSA) and learning modules as well as skill building interventions designed to improve outcomes and completion of vocational and educational programs while advancing in employment and developing and maintaining strong permanent supportive adult relationships.

About the Position: Life Skills Specialist

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides in person individual services to adolescents in home and community settings to assist the adolescent with completion of education and vocational programs.
• Maintains family and other collateral contacts to ensure quality, client-centered services.
• Directly responsible for all interventions associated with a specific adolescent and their family. This includes case management and collaboration with external key stakeholders and referral sources, such as schools, child welfare workers, probation. therapists, etc.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of the young person's needs from strength focused solution-based perspective and develops individualized care plans.
• Maintains documentation of all contacts and communication. Completes all required documentation in compliance with agency policy.
• Attends meetings related to the adolescent and/or family with the purpose of gathering information specific to intervention development and advocating in the best interest of the youth's long term educational and employment stability.
• Attends and actively participates in individual and team supervision sessions and trainings and to follow up and/or implement feedback and recommendations received from the program supervisor and senior program director.
• Understands specific model and uses concepts when appropriate to aid clients in furthering their educational and vocational goals.

• Creates partnerships with businesses in the community that are willing to hire youth enrolled in the Launch Program.

• Assists in organizing and facilitating monthly Youth Advisory Board (YAB) meetings and events/activities. Supports ongoing recruitment of all eligible DCF Committed youth to participate on the local YAB boards.
• Assists with planning and facilitating Youth Summit conferences.
• Provides and/or arranges transportation to and from meetings, events and activities in the community, local businesses and CHR offices.
• Tracks youth eligibility for stipends based on meeting program benchmarks.
• Assesses and involves natural supports in treatment planning and discharge processes whenever possible.
• Demonstrates competency in topics of child development, education, job readiness and vocational training and provides trauma sensitive and culturally competent care.
• Attends all model required meetings and agency trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor's degree in a Human Services related field preferred. Candidates with an associate's degree plus an extra two years' experience in a related field or candidates with a High School diploma with a minimum of 4 years' extra experience in related field will be considered with an approved waiver from funder.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in mental health related setting. For identified positions, bilingual capacity may be required.

Licensure/Certification/Registration: Valid driver's license.

Training: Training as assigned and required by program.

Why Join CHR?

Award-Winning Workplace:

• Proudly recognized as a Top Workplace for 12 consecutive years!

Generous Time Off:

• Enjoy ample paid time off, including a special day off for your birthday!

Retirement Savings:

• Benefit from contributions to your 403b Retirement Plan.

Comprehensive Insurance:

• Competitive premiums with added discounts on pet, auto, and home insurance!

Education & Tuition Support:

• Tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.
• Student loan repayment assistance (Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Nurse Corps, NHSC/HRSA at select sites).
• Exclusive tuition discounts for CHR employees at several local colleges/universities.

Career Development:

• FREE robust training curriculum, featuring our brand-new Clinical Training Series for interactive learning, practical skill enhancement, and professional growth!
• Clinical supervision and/or mentoring available at many programs.
• Internal career fairs: connect with recruiters to discuss your career aspirations and the various opportunities available within our over 80 programs statewide.

Wellness Program:

• Annual wellness stipend.
• FREE premium subscription to the Calm app, for employees and their families.
• Fun activities like coloring contests, lunch & learns, office seasonal decorating contests, employee appreciation events, and more!
• Up to 6 FREE confidential counseling sessions per issue, per year, for individuals, couples, & families through our EAP program.

Employee Involvement:

• Participate in leadership luncheons with our CEO and various agency committees!

Stay Informed:

• Weekly video updates from our CEO and monthly newsletters to keep you in the loop.

And So Much More:

• Many benefits are available to all staff, regardless of the hours worked, with some subject to eligibility.

Join us at CHR and be part of an exciting, supportive, and dynamic workplace where your growth and well-being are our top priorities!

Compensation: $20.30/hour min, and up commensurate upon experience.

CHR is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage all to apply.