Caseworker

CHD Careers•West Springfield, MA

19h•$20

About The Position

The Center for Human Development, (CHD) is seeking a Caseworker to join our DYS Transition to Independent Living Program (TILP) which provides placement and casework support to youth 17-22 aging out of foster care. This position will require on-call rotation evenings and weekends Your role as a Caseworker: This model uses unstaffed placement in agency leased community apartments throughout Western Mass. Young people will be provided the opportunity to practice skills, explore, test ideas and behaviors and gain valuable insight into how they want to function in the world. The Caseworker role is dynamic and multifaceted. Appropriate candidates will possess a professional skill set as well as an ability to perform direct service with hands on outreach work. Casework is goal oriented and aimed at increasing young people’s safety, stability, well-being, and self-sufficiency so that they can transition to living independently. You will assis with placing, supporting and supervising referred youth ages 17-22 in scattered site community apartments.

Requirements

Appropriate candidates will possess a professional skill set as well as an ability to perform direct service with hands on outreach work.

Responsibilities

Interview and screen young adult referrals
Complete formal processes of intake, assessments of skills and safety, treatment plan development and progress reviews
Utilize multiple databases for documentation
Maintain organized and thorough documentations with adherence to time lines
Develop positive rapport with youth
Develop appropriate goals for youth growth based on assessments and be accountable to support those goals through specifically identified tasks
Participate in all moving in and out activities including seeking and securing rentals, furnishing and moving of belongings, cleaning and maintenance or facilitation of maintenance of properties as needed
Shops for and prepares apartments for youth move in
Maintains a regular schedule of contact with clients and weekly viewing of placements
Attend weekly team review meetings and participate in regular supervision
Collaborate with DYS funding source to form a supportive team and inform on youth progress.
Attend virtual and in person meetings for case coordination and reviews
Counsel, support and coaches from a prospective of positive youth development with an understanding of trauma informed interactions
Transports clients in matters related to service delivery (e.g. medical/counseling appointments, school, outside agencies, court appearances, etc.
Assist with seeking and facilitate participation in employment, job training opportunities and educational programming
Maintain knowledge of community resources for services and housing
Provide direct instruction of independent living curriculums/modules
Assist clients with budgeting and shopping for food weekly
Conduct both announced and unannounced visits to apartment sites
Identify unaddressed client needs and collaborate with funding source and community resources to assist the youth in meeting them (i.e. medical, mental health, financial, skill development, parenting needs)
Facilitate transitional planning for discharge
Monitor for client contract compliance
Participate in schedule of on call coverage