Independent Living Specialist

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The salary for this position is $21 / hour with a $2,000 sign on bonus.

At Bellefaire, we prioritize our employees and their wellbeing. We provide competitive benefit options to our employees and their families, including domestic partners and pets. 

Our offerings include:

• Healthcare: Comprehensive medical (free option available), dental, vision & FSAs
• Education Perks: 50% Case Western MSW tuition discount, 10% undergraduate & 15% graduate tuition scholarship through Ohio University, & free supervision for licensed roles 
• Financial Security: 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Work-Life Balance: Generous PTO, paid holidays, and 24/7 EAP support
• Family Care: Fertility/IVF coverage, childcare FSA, and pet insurance

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education: Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field required.
2. Licensure: None required, LSW preferred. 
3. Competency/Skills:

• Core Expertise: Possess skill, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential duties of their role; keeps knowledge up to date.
• Independent Judgment: Demonstrate ability to perform job responsibilities with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.
• Cultural Competency: Demonstrate awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics.
• Interpersonal Communication: Communicate clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills in a professional context; demonstrates clear understanding and use of professional language.
• Professional & Ethical Conduct: Adhere to professional values such as honesty, personal responsibility, and accountability; Applies ethical concepts within scope of work and adheres to Agency policies and procedures.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Function effectively as a member of a professional team that includes employees, clients and family members.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Recognize problems and responds appropriately; gathers information and sorts through it to identify and address root cause issues; makes timely decisions.
• Service Orientation: Anticipate, recognize, and meet the needs of others, whether they are clients or not.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate competence in utilizing Agency computer systems and software as required to perform essential job functions.

1. Experience: Experience working with children, adolescents and their families.
2. Other: Must be flexible to accommodate the changing needs of the program

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record that meets the underwriting criteria of the Agency’s insurance company. Must have reliable transportation.

AGENCY SUMMARY:
Bellefaire JCB is among the nation’s largest, most experienced child service agencies providing a variety of behavioral health, substance abuse, education and prevention services. Through more than 25 programs, we help more than 30,000 youth and their families each year achieve resiliency, dignity and self-sufficiency. 

Check out “Bellefaire JCB: Join Our Team” on Vimeo!

JOB SUMMARY:
The Independent Living Specialist, under the administrative and clinical supervision of the Community Independence Supervisor provides Therapeutic Behavior Services primarily to youth and young adults that are preparing to age out of foster care system that are currently placed in their own apartments through Bellefaire's Independent Living Program.  The Independent Living Specialist will assist the young adults to reach self-sufficiency by working with an interdisciplinarian team of internal and external partners. The Independent Living Specialist will work with youth to address mental health barriers and overcome independent living skill deficits through the provision of Therapeutic Behavior Services and case management .  The Independent Living Specialist is required to meet the program's productivity target for billable services each week and will be required to transport clients as needed. Services take place in the home, community and or office. Work hours are flexible and occasional evening may be needed including providing evening and weekend on call coverage on a rotating  basis. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Accept assignment of cases from the supervisor to provide Community Independence Program Services for clients, their families, and significant others as needed, including: community organizations, schools, other health and social service professionals, the justice system, and other agencies involved with the client.
2. Accept Community Independence Programs assignments from the clinical supervisor and jointly develops tasks and interventions that implement treatment goals.
3. Provide Community Independence Programming Services including, but not limited to:
   1. evaluations, assessments;
   2. participation in the development of the client’s treatment plan;
   3. crisis work – providing assistance and support in crisis situations;
   4. support, including education and consultation for families and/or significant others regarding the client’s mental health and impact on progress toward independence;
   5. individual interventions;
   6. symptom monitoring and self-management of symptoms;
   7. assistance in increasing social support skills and networks;
   8. coordination of necessary evaluations and assessments;
   9. coordination of all services identified on the client’s treatment plan;
   10. necessary follow-up to determine if services are adequately meeting the needs of the client;
   11. access resources in the community; and
   12. assist in identifying apartment, securing lease of apartment, and moving in to the apartment.
4. Facilitate a psycho educational group.
5. Assess each client to determine their proficiency in life skills and their ability to function in a group. 
6. Offer several modalities of teaching necessary life skills including daily living experiences, group and individual instruction. 
7. Utilize group work skills to supervise a safe, growth-producing environment with which clients may address their educational and emotional needs.
8. Provide transportation, when assigned, for clients in personal and/or agency vehicles
9. Provide adequate and appropriate supervision for all clients. This includes monitoring and in person observation of a client’s home residence at least once per week.
10. Recognize the significance of the primary family in the client’s life and demonstrate the skills to engage the client, primary family and other supportive adults in the treatment planning process.
11. Work a flexible workweek and provides evening and weekend on-call coverage on a rotating basis.  A minimum of 50% of their week is devoted to Community Independence Program work.
12. Contribute to the development and maintenance of the clinical record through the timely completion of assigned documentation in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.

OTHER DUTIES:

1. Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision, and on-going training.
2. All required trainings, certifications and licensure must be kept current in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
3. Respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained during the client’s treatment.  All client-related documents should be handled in accordance with Agency guidelines on confidential material.
4. Maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and adhere to Agency policies and procedures.
5. Other duties as assigned by management.

Bellefaire JCB is an equal opportunity employer, and hires its employees without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

Bellefaire JCB is a partner agency of the Wingspan Care Group, a non-profit administrative service organization providing a united, community-based network of services so member agencies can focus on mission-related goals and operate in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.