Therapeutic Foster Care Mentor

Therapeutic Foster Care Mentor

Under the assigned supervisor, Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Mentor will provide individualized, one-on-one mentoring sessions to a youth who is in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, residing in a therapeutic foster caregiver placement. The TFC Mentor will provide a trauma-informed approach via a structured, strength-based service for the purpose of addressing social, communication, and daily living needs.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
• Will provide exceptional customer service to parents, caregivers, community partners, and other team members.
• Will be responsible for working with the TFC case management team.
• Attends and participates in meetings and training sessions as required by the specific job or department.
• Provides approved transportation when deemed appropriate to facilitate involvement in services for the youth and teens.
• Submits expense vouchers, renewed driver's license, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date requested by the direct supervisor or hiring agency.
• Responsible for being dependable and flexible to the program in terms of hours worked and submitting accurate time sheets; contact Supervisor for any change in schedule or to approve overtime hours worked.
• This position will require client transport.
• This position will require travel to local coverage areas for client engagement opportunities, training, and advocacy in community meetings or staffing.
• This position will require working evenings and weekends to meet the individual needs of the client while maintaining a 40-hour work week.
• This position may include on-call responsibilities to assist the team with crisis management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide one on one positive adult contact, developing positive self-esteem by reinforcing the youth's strengths, helping see alternatives points of view, setting limits and structure, and seeking opportunities for the youth to behave independently and responsibly.
• Will hold a case load of up to 10 mentoring cases.
• Provide weekly, at minimum, in-person coaching and training with youth in the home, school, and/or community.
• Advocates for assigned youth with collaterals such as DCFS, schools, court, therapist, etc.
• Works cooperatively with the TFC team including the case manager, foster parent and therapist.
• Act as an educational advocate for the youth regarding the youth's individual educational needs and special services, such as IEP, educational support, etc.
• Assist in development and adherence to the Placement Transition Plan for each assigned youth.
• Work with the youth, when age appropriate, to develop a transition plan for independence and self-sufficiency.
• Helping youth understand and practice important processes for obtaining a job-developing a resume, finding job listings, completing applications, and interviewing.
• Providing support to youth in building a positive sense of self and a deeper understanding of their identity.
• Will develop with the Intensive Placement Stabilization Residential Specialist (IPS-RS) and implement alternative strategies for youth and teens to learn new skills and make functional progress.
• Will support and or provide enhanced conflict resolution and communication skills for assigned youth as developed by the TFC case management team.
• Communicate pertinent events/aspects of a youth's case with all team members on an ongoing basis.
• Participate in Child and Family Team Meetings.
• Document all services, case-related interactions, and events as prescribed by DCFS/OHU policy.
• Will complete all DCFS and OHU trainings including the evidenced based model of Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC).
• Other Duties as Assigned.

This list of essential functions is not intended to be exhaustive. One Hope United reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent required

Experience: Experience in residential, social services, or mentoring preferred

Other: Reliable transportation, valid driver's license, and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance. Parent trainings are appreciated but not required.

We Invest In You!

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Tuition assistance up to $2,500 per year
• Generous vacation and PTO plans
• Health, dental, vision, retirement plan, health savings plan, agency paid life and LTD, supplemental life insurance
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
• Leadership opportunities on site-based Center Management Teams

A Different Kind Of Employer - One Hope United is strong and ready to grow. Are you ready to grow with us?

• 800 talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois, Missouri, and Florida
• Fiscally stable, $50 Million agency-- strong since 1895
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support

Required Skills

• Flexibility in scheduling and the ability to work in the office at a minimum of twice a week.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, agency and programmatic procedure manuals, and policies.
• Ability to write monthly reports, and weekly notes and verbally communicate in a clear manner.
• Ability to collaborate with referring partners, community state holders, and DCFS.
• Ability to speak effectively before external and internal groups or individuals who are interoffice, community stakeholders, and within DCFS.
• Ability to exercise discretion and ensure confidentiality in verbal and written communications.
• Cheerful outlook concerning all aspects of working in a challenging environment (including significant patience and respect for children and families who can become quite angry and demanding), sensitivity to cultural needs, and ability to serve as a positive member of a working team.
• Resourcefulness in researching issues, analyzing information skillfully, solving problems, and developing solutions with minimal supervision in a timely manner.
• Proficient computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and adaptive skills to expand software application skills as necessary.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The position requires visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed; and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, computer, and copier. The employee is occasionally required to move items up to 50 pounds.

The employee works in varied residential environments based on an assigned caseload and may encounter unpredictable clients.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions. The employee must be able to enter and exit a vehicle or a building without assistance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently drive an automobile, taking clients to appointments, in the local and regional areas. Occasionally, travel is outside the local area and overnight.

One Hope United does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. One Hope United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. One Hope United participates in e Verify.

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Pay Range: $19.60 per hour