Bridges Liaison

NATIONAL YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM•Mount Vernon, OH

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Bridges program is a voluntary, Ohio-based program for young adults aged 18 to 21 who have aged out of foster care, offering housing, case management, and financial support to assist with independence. It provides supportive services to individuals who are employed, in school, or attending job training, helping them gain stability and self-sufficiency. The Bridges Liaison works to facilitate eligibility and enrollment into the program, ensure documentation is maintained, complete assessments, set goals, coordinate housing and care management, and provide direct support and independent living skills education to young adults. The role involves connecting young adults with various resources, maintaining case documentation, and participating in continuous quality improvement activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in social work, human services, behavioral health or related field.
Two (2) years of experience working with families in the child welfare system.
Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
Must demonstrate a commitment to service and the ability to effectively advocate for young adults.
Must follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers.
Must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
Valid driver’s license.
Reliable personal transportation.
Good driving record.
Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability.

Responsibilities

Perform all work in a manner consistent with National Youth Advocate Program's mission, values, and philosophies.
Facilities eligibility and enrollment into the Bridges program.
Ensures Bridges eligibility documents are maintained in CCWIS for IV-E payment.
Completes Bridges assessments and performs onsite evaluations.
Assist with the completion of tier identification and Bridges assessment updates.
Completes goal setting with the young adult through the development of the Bridges plan.
Works directly with young adults to identify and coordinate housing and care management needs.
Initiates timely referrals for housing and case management needs.
Meets face to face with each young adult on caseload at a minimum of once per month.
Appears in court with Bridges participants.
Reviews Bridges plan with the young adult every 180 days to acknowledge achievements and plan next steps.
Assists young adult to maintain their Bridges eligibility if their personal circumstances change.
Assists young adult to identify individuals and resources that can be permanent connections for them after Bridges program completion.
Teach young adult independent living skills and basic life skills for adulthood.
Supports young adult in post-secondary school enrollment, vocational program enrollment or securing employment.
Connects the young adult with physical health care and behavioral health care resources as well as other community resources for self-sufficiency.
Maintains case documentation in CCWIS.
Supports young adult participation in Bridges focus groups.
Completes required CCWIS and OCWTP training.
Serves a minimum caseload of 12-15 young adults with frequency of contacts based on service needs.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
Performs other duties as requested.