Check Connect Educational Specialist

Job Description In accordance with the Agency’s mission statement, policies and procedures, professional Code of Ethics, State of Michigan licensing and Council on Accreditation standards; the Check & Connect Educational Specialist is responsible for being a liaison between the CMO and educational systems by working collaboratively with the case manager and a caseload of individual students and their families, school staff, and community service providers to implement strategies that address school success and school completion for students in need of additional support to graduate. The educational specialist will understand and commitment to a system of care approach that supports community based, strength-based treatment of enrolled youth and their families. The goal is to empower families to construct solutions to problems, identify strengths and set realistic goals that move families toward long term and lasting solutions by using a restorative justice framework. Tasks of the Position Develop, implement, and monitor education plans of care for the target population. Track target students’ levels of engagement, document results, and complete monthly forms and a contact log as a tool to access absences, truancies, suspensions, and grades/credits earned. Works as liaison to facilitate communication and promote problem solving both at the individual student level and between home and school. Attend varied school-based meetings – e.g., site team meetings, IEP meetings, and other relevant meetings (standards, suspension re-entry meetings). Staff should have knowledge of community services and be able to refer students to appropriate services when needed. Attend varied juvenile justice case management meetings – e.g. court hearings, case conferences). Provide CC mentoring sessions in the youth’s environment (home, foster home, residential placement, etc.) when appropriate. Regularly check on target students’ attendance, grades, and behavior, provide regular feedback to students, communicate regularly with families, and initiate efforts to keep youth engaged in school. Assures that Vista Maria agency policies, practices and standards of operations comply with all pertinent local, state, and federal regulations, along with company’s accrediting body. Document all face to face, telephone and email contacts with client families and their various service providers in the Wayne County juvenile justice database (JAIS). Monthly/weekly monitoring of all services provided to youth and their families. Responsible for meeting direct service productivity and documentation standards per agency and program expectations. Maintain youth case record, prepare reports and correspondence with professionalism, in a timely manner. Other tasks and responsibilities, as assigned. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Knowledge of community and educational resources. Knowledge of individual and family therapeutic interventions based on solution-focused, strength-based clinical models. Ability to work effectively on a treatment team. A fundamental understanding of mental health disorders, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities and the functional impairment that they may cause. Supervisory Responsibility None Qualifications (Education / Training) Minimum Required Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice or related field from a fully accredited college and/or university. Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children, youth agencies, social services and school systems population and their families. Access to personal vehicle. Valid driver's license, insurance and registration. Preferred Master’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice or related field from a fully accredited college and/or university. Four (4) years of experience working with children, youth agencies, social services and school systems population and their families. Limited or full state of Michigan licensure. Mentoring experience as a bonus. Company Description We foster restorative relationships and deliver innovative care, treatment, and education so that vulnerable individuals and their families believe in their worth, heal and build the skills for success. #J-18808-Ljbffr