Outcome Specialist (Crossroads)

Northern Children Services•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

As part of a team, the Outcome Specialist for Northern's Crossroads program provides direct individual and family services to facilitate healing through trauma-informed services and Positive Youth Development. The Crossroads Outcome Specialist is responsible for ensuring connections to services, programs, activities, and resources that lead to positive short and long-term outcomes for program participants. Evidence and strength-based models are integrated into the design and implementation of administration and services. Northern incorporates strength-based, recovery and resilience-focused and trauma informed care principles across all its programs. They are client-centered, family-focused, community-based, multi-systemic, culturally competent, and least-restrictive. These services are individualized to meet the needs of the young person and work with the young person as a partner in the development of goals and the planning of services. It is expected that all of Northern’s programs and program staff will adhere to this approach. Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist support young adults between the ages of 18-21 to stabilize while acquiring individualized skill development and support to transition successfully into adulthood. This includes obtaining and maintaining safe and suitable housing, continuing education, learning independent living skills, obtaining employment, building a support system, and remaining free from legal involvement. In addition, the Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will ensure all youth served are provided with supportive resources to pursue education/vocational training to enhance and prepare youth for self-sufficiency. Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist serves four young men and four young women, who are under the care of the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), either directly through DHS or through a Community Umbrella Agency (CUA), indigent, who are also possibly through involvement in the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice system. The Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will be responsible for a total of eight residents. Regulatory compliance and reporting is a fundamental requirement for this position. The Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will establish effective relationships with the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services, all ten Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs), the Philadelphia Court and Probation systems, and other systems and agencies, including the 5th Police District for the City of Philadelphia. Under the Supervision of the Director of Residential Programs the Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will develop positive and fruitful relationships with Northern’s Generations 1, Generations II, and Crossroads’ staff members as well as staff in other Northern organizational departments. The Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will work closely with these parties to ensure quality service delivery and an appropriate level of support for each resident. Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will complete, as required, assessments and service plans for assigned clients that adequately and appropriately address the client/family’s unique service needs. Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will also implement client service plans, monitor service plan progress, and review progress with the Director of Residential along with stakeholders as required. Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will demonstrate insight regarding client strengths and needs, then incorporate these findings into service planning and assessments. Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will also assess and monitor the safety of clients in current living arrangements and provide evidenced based recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement. In conjunction with DHS, Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist should also assess permanency options; recommend permanency plan for clients; and implement plan to achieve permanency for clients. Upon program admission, The Northern Crossroads Outcome Specialist will ensure that all residents receive comprehensive behavioral health assessments, along with connecting young persons who require behavioral health services as needed. These services may be delivered at Northern through 1:1 or group activities, or through an external provider. Through these efforts, our young residents will be provided with a highly structured and supportive community, which will motivate them to make positive choices, and will prepare them for successful independence.

Requirements

Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
Ability to assess consumer treatment needs and apply appropriate therapeutic intervention.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from consumers and collateral agencies.
Ability to accurately calculate figures such as addition, subtraction, and percentages.
Ability to give clear and concise, oral and written instructions.
Working knowledge of Child Welfare/homeless systems and ability to navigate other systems.
Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to effectively present information and communicate with varied groups.
Ability to accurately calculate numbers such as in addition, subtraction, and percentages.
Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
Strong written and verbal skills.
Excellent working knowledge of the Behavioral Health/Homeless system.
Knowledge of and ability to navigate other support systems.
Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
Competence in the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
Education: Master's degree preferred in social work, child welfare, or other social service field; Minimum-bachelor's degree in human services, Social Service or related work area required.
Experience: 3 years’ experience in Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Homeless population, or related social service field.
Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice
Develop a working knowledge of community parenting resources, which may be used in serving clients and maintaining close working relationships with these resources.
Demonstrate understanding of Positive Youth Development.
Demonstrate accountability for results and keep commitments to others.
Demonstrate openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
Ability to walk up and down stairs.
Ability to lift 20 lbs.
Ability to operate a computer.
Current valid driver’s license and the willingness to transport children in accordance with NCS and 3800 regulations.
Requires a flexible work schedule, evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities

Attend and actively participate in all required training and pursue other training for professional development.
Manage time effectively to complete direct service requirements and required documentation. (I.e., ISP, Quarterly report, maintains updated dentals, physicals, educational documents, etc.)
Attend interviews for potential Crossroads residents.
Plan for processes of supporting program participants in enhancing their overall educational/vocational goals and strategies along with daily living skills.
In conjunction with the Director of Residential Programs, plan for effective daily programming for all program participants.
Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.
Submit regular reports to the Director of Residential Programs on the progress of client services, as well as required written reports.
Provides 24/7 on call services (rotating on call at night and on weekends) and responds in person at any time when it is determined to be necessary by the Director of Residential Programs.
Assist clients in obtaining daycare, WIC, their child(ren) immunization and medical records, and Head Start.
Assess and monitor the safety and well-being of children living with clients and make any needed re commendations and referrals for appropriate placement and services.
Maintain the appropriate number of training hours required by local, state, and federal regulations.
Monitor the goals and objectives in the Individual Service Plan and Single case Plan.
Tracks performance indicators/outcomes for each resident
Ensure that program participants comprehend placement requirements of their ISP; obtain feedback on the placement from the referral source.
Ensure that all City, State and County funding requirements and standards are effectively and efficiently met.
Assume primary case management role and position as youth Case Manager/CUA worker in absence of CUA linkage
Consult and collaborate with Philadelphia County DHS/DHS-AIC along with as needed DHS Central Referral Unit (CRU) to coordinate Intake/Admission to Northern Crossroads program.
Remain in contact with CRU staff and maintain a waiting list of potential residents for admissions.
Communicate daily with Director of Residential Program, Lead Support Aides, and Support Aides regarding current and potential Crossroads residents.
Clearly and effectively communicate with outside agency affiliates to ensure that program expectations are met.
Regularly communicate with the DHS CRU, Achieving Independence Center (AIC), CUA Case Managers and Supervisors, Juvenile Probation, the Philadelphia Court System, Public Defender’s Office, Child Advocates, and other stakeholders to receive potential residents for admission and to collaborate on the discharge planning and process.
Communicate with DHS, CUAs, and other stakeholders when a resident is ready to move on to another level of care, either more restrictive or less restrictive, depending on their acclimation and learning curve while living at Crossroads.
Complete and maintain all relevant information pertaining to residents and City and State compliance.
Maintain contact with consumers, referral sources, agents of the court, internal and external resources.
Maintain weekly and when appropriate, more frequent client face-to-face contact through required dorm and office visits.
Engage resistant clients to promote successful service delivery.
Provide outreach to clients, family members, and other significant people in the client’s life to maintain contact and to develop resources for the client.
Maintain required contact with relevant family members, assess their need for services, and work on relationship building between client and family.
Complete other duties as assigned.
Complete all pre-placement paperwork in a timely manner as required.
Complete required admission/intake and discharged paperwork (placement and discharged memos and census reports) in a timely manner
Complete Individual Service Plans (ISP), Quarterly Progress Reports, and Discharge Summaries according to the 3800 regulations timeline
Maintain a Daily Contact log and reports of weekly contact with residents.
Document all contacts involved in the child’s placement and maintain the child’s confidential case record, consistent with Northern Children’s Services and Department of Human Service contract standards.
Maintain current data related to goals and achievement of program and contractual outcomes for residents.

Benefits

We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: We provide full-time employees with a $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost. Additionally, Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance offer financial security to our employees and their families. A partner insurance company offers a range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance, providing additional financial protection to our employees.
401(k) Retirement Plan: We offer a 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
NCS Educational Expense Reimbursement program
Paid Leave: Employees have access to generous paid time off or sick leave, allowing them to prioritize their health and well-being.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life's challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
Legal Services: Self-funded legal services provide valuable support and resources for various legal matters.

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