Life Skills Coach 1

RINCON FAMILY SERVICES•Chicago, IL

19d•Onsite

About The Position

This individual will work as the Life Skills Coach, and as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team at the Lavergne House Transitional Living Program (TLP). This staff will provide life skills training to the youth in care onsite and offsite that includes but not limited to crisis intervention, case stabilization and integration, daily living and life skills. The staff member will participate in team meetings and case staffing. The Staff will also document all activities in the youth’s case file.

Requirements

Good listening, communication and case management skills. Able to tailor communication styles to make the client feel comfortable.
Ability to engage clients in a clinically and respectful manner.
Initiative and big-picture thinking.
Planning skills.
Basic understanding of legal issues of this population.
Basic understanding of addiction issues of this population.
Basic understanding of mental illness issues of this population.
Understanding of internal and external medical and supportive services.
Cultural competence and sensitivity.
Fast, accurate documentation skills.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
Desire to learn new skills.
Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.
Two years college in psychology, or a related field, or at least 5 years' experience in Social Services
Assist with writing and implementing a treatment plan.
Knowledge on usage of computers, and its associated software.
Must pass a pre-employment background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies.
Must be able to speak English

Nice To Haves

Understanding of Trauma Inform Care. (Agency will train in trauma informed care)

Responsibilities

Effectively use written, verbal, and non-verbal communication to communicate ideas to supervisor and other peers and clients.
Maintain a positive and productive work environment for clients.
Must have knowledge of affective conflict resolution and problem solving skills. Recognize and distinguish between productive and non-productive conflict and appropriately use effective conflict resolution techniques to respond to problems, conflicts and grievances.
Develop problem and goal lists and aftercare plans: prioritize problems and plans appropriate methods of addressing problems, make appropriate referrals.
Must be able to develop positive relationships with clients and be able to use effective communication skills to engage them in planning and follow up. Must identify obstacles to recommendations and minimize their impact.
The staff will utilize the DCFS Service Plan to guide the youth in meeting their individualized goals and objectives.
Must be able to, assist, under supervision with identifying potential conflicts and implement crisis intervention techniques to prevent or intervene in potential crisis situations.
Must have the ability to assist with implementing a plan for increasing placement stabilization for on-run youth.
Must have the ability to transport or facilitate transportation of youth in care as needed or requested.
Must be able to use appropriate professional terminology to complete forms and records, accurately documenting client session, planning, and progress.
Must be able to maintain client records, through both paper files and electronic record keeping systems. Must meet documentation standards as required by program and funding sources, including documentation of individual and group interactions assessments & individual service plans.
Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations and other support services.
Must have the ability to develop and maintain a community referral binder with the contact information of community-based organizations.
Must be able to assist youth in care to navigate community resources and support in an in-vivo approach (coach) and process experience with the client.
Must have the ability to develop, implement and train using life and daily living skills curricula.
Ability to propose, develop and implement activities that foster wellness for program youth.
Must attend all required meetings, committees, and trainings according to program standards.
Must participate in QI process.
Must participate in the agency training programs.
Must participate in regular supervision with Program Supervisor and Director of Child Welfare.
Must be able to provide coordination and linkage with community agencies for enhanced care and support.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental & Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan
Generous PTO (Paid time off)- Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, some PTO carryover allowable.
Employee Assistance Program
Professional Development Opportunities
Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits