Community Support Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Community Support Specialist. The purpose of this position is to provide support for the Mentoring & Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) Program at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED). This position provides follow-up services to youth in transition from foster care to adult independence. The primary emphasis is the coordination of services to youth exiting foster care. Service coordination provided to this group of young adults will ensure that system linkages are in place for supporting these youth in the life domains of housing, employment, education, finance, physical/ mental health, family and socialization. The goal of these services is to promote self-sufficiency and a successful transition to independence for former foster care youth. This position provides program, as well as direct internal and external client support services. Responds to inquiries and independently resolves matters of low to moderate complexity. Responsibilities require some judgment, resourcefulness, and originality, but diverse guides and precedents are usually available to apply or adapt to the circumstances. Work effort has considerable impact on client services, program and project image, with potential legal liabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Vocational Counseling, Psychology, or related social service field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of direct service working with older adolescents.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Advanced knowledge of processes and procedures, the service and/or product and its application.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Skilled at being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Skilled at talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Skilled at using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and coordinate work skills effectively and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the West Virginia State foster care system is required.
• Good written and verbal communications skills are necessary.
• An ability and willingness to work some evenings, overnights and/or weekends as well as infrequent, extended out-of-state travel is necessary.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management services to foster youth discharging the foster care system who are pursuing post-secondary education or an employment program.
• Develop and sustain positive working relationships with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Bureau of Children and Families Division field offices, community resource providers, child/adult care agencies/ providers and the DHHR field staff in the region of assignment to facilitate collaborative efforts to improve services to foster care and former foster care youth.
• Train attendees at multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings about the MODIFY Program and benefits available to youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
• Collect data for analysis of post-discharge follow up data on former foster youth.
• Provide additional direct services to former foster care youth including, but not limited to, help with enrolling in postsecondary education programs, supportive counseling, linkage/referral to needed services in the region, financial assistance, independent living skills training, social skills training, and other services as deemed necessary to promote their independence.
• Train and consult DHHR staff, other agencies, or foster care home regarding the MODIFY Program policy and needs of former foster youth receiving services; identify ways to collaborate and provide combined services to meet those needs.
• Develop and implement policy and program-related training for DHHR, private childcare agency staff, foster parents, and consumers.
• Provide monthly program reports to WVUCED and special reports to the Program Manager and/or Director as requested.
• Plan and deliver life skills instruction to youth in foster care by participating in regional life skills instruction trainings.
• Provide technical assistance and consult with DHHR staff and provide agencies relating to the transition and independent living services.
• Plan and implement the Foster Care Youth Council in the region of assignment as well as collaborating with other regional Foster Care Youth Councils.
• Attend MODIFY staff meetings, attend WVUCED staff meetings, and participate in other appropriate duties assigned by the MODIFY Program Manager.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level