Community Support Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

4d

About The Position

The Community Support Specialist supports the Mentoring & Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) Program at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities. The role provides follow-up services and case management to young adults transitioning from foster care to adult independence, with an emphasis on coordinating services and establishing connections in housing, employment, education, finance, physical and mental health, family, and socialization. The goal is to promote self-sufficiency and successful transition to independence for former foster care youth.

The position provides program support and direct internal and external client services, responds to inquiries, and independently resolves matters of low to moderate complexity. The work requires judgment, resourcefulness, and originality, and can substantially affect client services and program image, with potential legal liability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Vocational Counseling, Psychology, or a related social service field, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• At least two years of direct-service work with older adolescents, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the West Virginia State foster care system.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant processes, procedures, services or products, and their applications.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences, learning and motivation, psychological research methods, and assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation principles and methods for physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counseling and guidance.
• Knowledge of curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and measurement of training effects.
• Ability to understand others’ reactions and why they respond as they do.
• Ability to communicate information effectively.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to evaluate alternative solutions and approaches to problems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings, overnight shifts, and/or weekends, and to travel out of state infrequently for extended periods.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from groups, clients, customers, and the public.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management to foster youth leaving the foster care system who are pursuing post-secondary education or employment programs.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with DHHR Bureau of Children and Families Division field offices, community resource providers, care agencies and providers, and regional DHHR field staff to coordinate and improve services for current and former foster youth.
• Train attendees at multidisciplinary team meetings on the MODIFY Program and benefits available to youth transitioning from foster care.
• Collect data for analysis of follow-up outcomes after foster youth discharge from care.
• Provide direct services to former foster care youth, including support with postsecondary enrollment, supportive counseling, service referrals, financial assistance, independent living and social skills training, and other services to promote independence.
• Train and consult DHHR staff, other agencies, and foster care homes on MODIFY Program policy and the needs of former foster youth; identify opportunities for collaborative services.
• Develop and deliver policy- and program-related training for DHHR staff, private childcare agency staff, foster parents, and consumers.
• Submit 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 through regional life-skills instruction trainings.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation to DHHR staff and agencies regarding transition and independent-living services.
• Plan and implement the regional Foster Care Youth Council and collaborate with other regional councils.
• Attend MODIFY and WVUCED staff meetings and perform other appropriate duties assigned by the MODIFY Program Manager.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year
• Health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with a 6.25% employee contribution match
• Eligibility to continue health insurance in retirement and other retiree benefits
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

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