Independent Living Specialist (ILP)

Overview

 

Company Overview

 

Youth Villages has been a national leader in the adoption and implementation of research-based treatment philosophies in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Our commitment to helping troubled children and their families find success spans 30+ years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services. 

 

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

Responsibilities

Program Overview

 

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides services to clients in the home and community setting to assist client with transition to adulthood, specifically obtaining and maintaining safe and suitable housing, continuing their education, learning independent living skills, obtaining and maintaining employment, building a support system, and remaining free from legal involvement.

 

Position Overview

 

Independent Living Specialists provide case management services to traditional Independent Living Program (ILP) youth.  ILP provides an opportunity for a young adult to remain in foster care up to age 21 and receive resources and support to ensure better outcomes.  ILP services include case management, placement support, and judicial oversight. Other responsibilities include: 

• Meet with each ILP client a minimum of one hour face to face per month, typically at their home or other off site facility, increasing and decreasing as directed by the ILP Supervisor on the basis of need. General caseloads not to exceed 23 clients.

• Maintain regular, on-going communication with Caseworkers about services being provided.

• Act as an advocate for the client when facing barriers to achieving goals by attending school meetings, DHS meetings, and court hearings as determined by the youth, caseworker or ILP supervisor.

• Provide support accessing transportation for youth to include directly providing transportation to events as needed.
• Complete required DHS documentation including: skills assessments, transition plans and monthly progress updates within timelines outlined by the program.

• Provide individual skills training interventions for assigned caseloads and provide case management related to goals.

• Conduct primarily individual sessions using strategic interventions to address the following domains: housing, education, natural supports/healthy relationships, employment, health, transportation, and money management.
• Conduct on-going assessment of the client's needs from strength focused, solution based perspective.

• Empower the client to build upon and use the supports in their natural environment, including teaching the client how to access the appropriate community resources.

• Support monthly peer to peer events through planning and attendance. Advocate for youth attendance to meet contract requirements.
• Complete documentation of all information in a timely and professional manner that provides a basis for the direction of services.

• Visit the school to establish working relationship to ensure reasonable school performance by the young adult.

• Visit the employer to establish working relationship to ensure reasonable job performance by the young adult.
• Participate in weekly Consultation with the Licensed Program Export concerning case strategies and case progress and in quarterly booster training sessions concerning specialized treatment topics.

• Provide on call crisis support to youth enrolled in LifeSet. On call responsibilities are over the weekend and is rotated among Specialists.

• Complete other duties as assigned by program leadership.

 

Why Youth Villages?

 

Our programs in Oregon:

• Paid licensure supervision for LPC, LCSW, LMFT
• Opportunity for advancement
• Collaborative Problem Solving Certification
• Training opportunities based on your interest / CEU’s
• Tablets issued to community based staff for documentation
• Open/collaborative work environment
• Gym membership reimbursement/ discounts
• Healthy snacks in office/ monthly team recognition   

 

Additional Information

 

Schedule is flexible and non-traditional; based around the availability of youth and families served. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, a personal vehicle to use for work purposes and auto insurance. Community Based staff will be reimb