Foster Care Mentor / Case Aide

Youthnet • Vancouver, WA

9d • $20 - $22

About The Position

The Case Aide works with youth in foster care as a positive support person, providing case-related services to youth and families on an as-needed basis. Duties include transportation to appointments, community activities and recreation, supervision, and other service-plan-related tasks directed toward the youth’s goals, needs, and safety. The role is part of the BRS Program, which serves multiple areas throughout Western Washington, and involves spending time with youth in their communities or homes. Scheduling flexibility is required; evening and weekend availability is preferred.

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance meeting statutory minimum coverage requirements.
• Be able to pass a Washington State criminal check and FBI fingerprinting if required.
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or HSEC.
• Have one year of experience working with children and families, or two years of social services education.
• Have the skills and abilities to work successfully with challenging behaviors of children in care.
• Have a basic understanding of family systems and child development.
• Have effective written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
• Be able to work with diverse groups and populations.
• Be able to make objective visual assessments of home conditions and crisis situations and communicate information appropriately.
• Have knowledge of community resources for youth.
• Be able to interact as a team member.
• Be proficient with basic computer software, such as Microsoft Office suite.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Human Services or a related field.
• Evening and weekend availability.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with clients through recreational activities, meeting their needs, serving as a positive role model, maintaining healthy boundaries, and responding to behavior from a trauma-informed standpoint.
• Plan activities based on clients’ treatment goals, interests, abilities, shift length, allotted budget, and the purpose of the shift.
• Transport clients to and from appointments and activities throughout Clark and Cowlitz counties.
• Provide community-based or foster-home enrichment activities that supplement schoolwork.
• Communicate with foster parents or guardians and Case Managers about how time was spent, including through in-person communication, written documentation, phone calls, and occasionally texts.
• Complete and maintain documents such as Case Aide Reports and Time Sheets.
• Follow client-needs and safety guidelines and respond to emergency situations.
• Adjust job assignments when the supervision needs of individual children warrant it.
• Attend staff meetings and other mandatory Youthnet trainings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED