Independent Living Specialist

Independent Living Specialist

Full time Exempt Milwaukee, WI, US

3 days ago Requisition

At Wellpoint Care Network, our mission is to facilitate equity, learning, healing, and wellness by restoring the connections that help children and families thrive.

Every person deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. It’s part of human nature, and the promise of our country, that everyone be given a fair chance to be and do their best. Yet, many in our community live with unresolved childhood and generational trauma.

That’s where we come in. We believe we can create a world where children and families have a clearer path to their fullest potential. Wellpoint Care Network has championed the restoration of families for nearly 175 years.

Job Purpose:

Our next Independent Living Specialist
will be the primary contact/relationship for the youth in the SIL program. The ILS will use a strength-based trauma informed approach to supporting youth to independence. The ILS will be a teacher, at times hands on, and coach of IL skills using the 5 pillars of stability framework and connect the youth to resources in their community. ILS support a youth driven service plan that celebrates successes and focuses on youth needs and goals.

The ILS works closely with child welfare and Youth Transitioning to Adulthood to ensure the youth is prepared for independence upon the end of their court order.

Qualifications:

• Associate Degree or Equivalence Experience required.
• 2 years’ minimum experience in Social Services or related field, working with high-risk teens, and young adults.
• Must be able to perform the following functions: read, write, lift up to 10lbs., walk, stand, sit, reach over shoulder and head, push and pull, repetitive bending and stooping, repetitive finger and wrist motion, repetitive use of arms, and ability to respond to telephones and other auditory stimulation
• Basic experience and/or knowledge of CHIPS court orders
• Must have flexible availability and respond to occasional after business hours calls or youth needs.
• Experience and knowledge of mental illness/treatment and trauma.
• Experience in networking and community outreach.
• Knowledge and skill in creative problem solving.
• Good judgment and strong personal boundaries and ethics.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of one organization.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently and effectively with staff, clients, caregivers, and purchasers.
• Must be honest, dependable, and able to meet deadlines;
  Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or occupational driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance is required. Required reliable transportation to conduct on-site learning throughout the state.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills, detail oriented, highly effective verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate an ability to effective understanding and practice of cultural humility and ability work and communicate respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficient in the usage of computer software; demonstrate an understanding of computer file systems and databases, e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, ADP, etc.
• Physical exam, drug screen, motor vehicle report, and background checks are required for this position.

Duties:

Assessment, Decision Making, and Problem Solving

• Provide IL services to program participants, ages 17-21 who are in out of home care on a CHIPS court order.
• Help participants obtain and sustain housing.
• Hands on, face to face contact with participants at least 2X monthly, in the community, at their home and/or at the office.
• Connecting and referring participants to community resources to meet their needs and minimize barriers using the Wellpoint 5 Pillars of Stability.
• Teach participants, in real time, how to manage through challenges/adversity so they can learn to mitigate challenges independently
• Connect with leadership in weekly supervision, system partners and emergency resources to communicate safety concerns and develop a plan to support the youth
• Utilize assessment tools to gather information from participants to inform individualized planning,…