Case Manager - Independent Living Skills

The Independent Living Skills Case Manager will be responsible for preparing and supporting current and former foster youth who are participating in Youth and Young Adult Services and Independent Living Skills (ILS) Program to transition out of the foster care system into independence. The Independent Living Skills Case Manager will work with youth and young adults by increasing youth's skills, knowledge, and competency in all life domains. Employee is supervised under Youth and Young Adult Services. This position will provide coverage to Spokane, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties.


Responsibilities:

• Understand and follow the guidelines of the contract with the State of Washington for providing Independent Living skills training for eligible youth who are between the ages of 15 to 23.
• Assist youth in transition from foster care into independent living through hands on skill building, navigating community resources, and developing program participant's ability to advocate for their needs.
• Offer developmentally appropriate opportunities for youth to participate in skill development through both individual and group trainings, in areas such as employment, housing, money management, permanency and education.
• Recruit and retain program participants with ongoing, creative relational building with program participants to ensure participants receive regular engagement to meet their goals. Maintain a case load of program participants through a variety of techniques, including Motivational Interviewing to ensure engagement across a large geographic area.
• Conduct outreach and recruitment to social workers, caregivers, community service providers and program youth regarding participation and offerings by Youth and Young Adult Services Programs
• Utilize a variety of techniques to engage and support program participants in developing life skills goals. Monitor and adjust progress on the achievement of life skills goals through intakes and quarterly goal setting with participants
• Create, develop and facilitate small group workshops or trainings focused on life skill development. Provide adequate and supportive supervision during trainings and workshops to ensure a supportive environment for participants.
• Coordinate services with other foster youth program staff under the Youth and Young Adult Services program throughout the assigned service area.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other community service providers.
• Document activities in client records and complete accurate reporting according to agency and contract standards.
• Participate in trainings and supervision appropriate to the position to develop and monitor professional development, professional goals, and performance goals.
• Willingness to travel to outlying service areas in agency vehicle in previously listed counties.
• Willingness to work an adjusted schedule to accommodate client needs including an occasional evening or out of area travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting, keyboard fingering, and performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirement. These physical demands are required up to 90% of the time.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Masters degree in social services or a closely related field and one (1) year of documented experience OR Bachelor's degree in social services or a closely related field and two (2) years of documented experience OR Associate's degree and three (3) years of documented experience OR High School Diploma or equivalent credential and five (5) years of documented experience.

Experience

• Documented experience must be working with children or youth in one of or a combination of the following settings:
  • State licensed in-home or facility-based daycare, or professional nanny;
  • School setting or early learning center
  • Mental Health Hospital;
  • Juvenile Rehabilitation facility, detention center, law enforcement, or corrections;
  • A child placing agency, residential care program, or as a licensed foster parent;
  • Conducting supervised visits; or
  • Working as staff directly with children or families in a community service organization

Special Skills

• Understanding and ability to work with youth in the foster care system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Organizational ability with an attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and provide structured guidance and follow through to help youth reach long-term goals
• Conflict resolution and group facilitation skills
• Interest in working both individually and as part of a larger team serving the same population
• Basic computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and automated database
• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver's license and minimum required liability insurance
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Wage Range : $22 - $27 depending on experience and education

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm with flexibility for after-hours needs

Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.