LIFE Skills Foundation Shared Housing Program Coordinator
LIFE Skills Foundation provides transition age youth ages 16-24 with housing, independent living skills, counseling and wraparound support to help them become successful, independent adults. Most of our participants have aged out of foster care or are housing insecure for other reasons. We pride ourselves in providing individualized, agile and thoughtful support.
We recognize that systemic forces of racism, oppression and economic disenfranchisement create a reality that can be extremely challenging for our participants. However, we also hope to provide the opportunity for our participants to obtain the skills necessary to overcome these systemic influences.
LIFE Skills recognizes that our participants have their own strengths and challenges, their own likes and dislikes, and their own thoughts and opinions about how to best move forward. LIFE Skills takes great pride in creating individualized programming that allows for our participants to have true input. We also understand that making mistakes is part of the path to independence and we find a punitive approach is not conducive to helping our participants achieve their goals.
LIFE Skills recognizes that we must work diligently with our partners in the community to provide the support that transition age youth need to be successful in their employment, their educational program or in their housing. We take care to nurture community relationships and partnerships.
The LIFE Skills Mission Statement
To empower transitional age youth to live stable, self-directed lives by providing them with housing and wraparound support services.
Guiding Principles
We will work with transitional age youth to help them identify and nurture their unique abilities.
We will provide consistent support to transitional age youth as they experience both success and challenges.
We will ensure housing and other basic needs are met so that transitional age youth can focus on higher level goals
We will ensure our staff are competent and flexible in the way that we provide services in order to meet the individual needs of each program participant.
We will monitor and measure what we do in order to ensure we are providing the best possible services to program participants.
We will work with the community to improve opportunities for transition age youth.
Primary Purpose of Position:
This is a full time (40 hours) position to coordinate all aspects of the LIFE Skills Foundation Shared Housing Independent Living Program (ILP). This position is part of a project funded in part by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Medicaid Program Health Blue to expand housing options to former foster youth across the Triangle. This is an innovative project that has the potential to create changes on both an individual but also systemic level.
This is a new position for LIFE Skills Foundation and is currently funded for two years with the intention of making it a permanent position.
The person in this position will coordinate the provision of LIFE Skills services, such as housing, wraparound support and employment/educational support for youth aging out of foster care in Orange and Wake Counties. This role will work closely with LIFE Skills’ Executive Director and other support staff. The caseload will max out at roughly 8-10 young adults at any given time. Our approach her is quality over quantity. We often work with youth for multiple years and are focused on developing strong relationships and trust with our participants.
The person in this position will also work directly with clients and families/natural supports to assess their strengths and needs, assisting with planning, developing, implementing, and assessing treatment and ancillary services, working with youth to identify needed services and providing these services directly or by referral. Duties may also include maintaining oversight of services provided within and outside the agency, acting as an advocate for the client and family/natural supports in the community and developing/evaluating the person centered plan with the client and team to ensure that services are being delivered and are appropriate to the needs of the client and family/natural supports. This position is exempt. This position is intended to be an average of 75% direct clinical services and 25% administrative duties.
TO APPLY PLEASE EMAIL YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO APPLY@LIFESKILLSFOUND.ORG
List of Responsibilities, Requirements and Duties:
Ensure that all aspects of the Independent Living Program are functioning optimally including: Independent/Shared Housing in Orange and Wake Counties
Organize and lead regular meetings with DSS representatives or other partners.
Provide quarterly reports to community stakeholders with which the ILP has contracts. Monitor contracts and maintain positive relationships with contractors.
Provide case consultation and crisis management response to/with staff and act as back-up to staff as needed for transition age youth referred to and/or participating in ILP services.
Document activities around youth within 24 hours of the event.
Work with directors and staff to plan and implement organizational development.
Develop and monitor systems to ensure quality, efficiency and long-term viability of the agency.
Promote and monitor open communication within the agency and with community partners.
Participate in management team meetings and annual retreats as needed.
Assist management team with various committee, workgroup, community, legislative and quality assurance/compliance issues to encourage expansion success
Direct Services:
Coordinate referrals and intakes to the shared housing program with a effort to ensure roommate compatibility
Provide support, life skills training and counseling to young adults in our housing
Ensure that the housing remains safe, secure and well maintained by working with other LIFE Skills staff to address needs
Work with clients/families/natural supports to assess strengths/needs, assist with planning, developing, implementing, and assessing Transition Plans, treatment and ancillary services.
Recommend the types of resources needed and provide these services directly or by referral. This also includes ensuring that participants are getting their health care needs met.
Provide one on one life skills training in areas such as housing, employment, health and wellness and communication.
Develop/evaluate the service plan to ensure that services are being delivered and are appropriate to the needs of the client.
Act as an advocate on behalf of the population in the community.
Be available to respond as needed to clients outside of normal work hours on a rotating basis with our crisis management team.
Respond to consumer and/or stakeholder concerns or complaints as needed.
Duties may also include:
This is a new position and responsibilities may change over the course of the project based on the needs of our participants and employees. New responsibilities will be agreed upon and documented prior to being required.
Minimum Education, Training and Experience:
Preferably, a Master’s Degree in counseling, social work, or psychology and 2-5 years experience in direct practice, working with young adult clients with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Experience with foster care is highly recommended
Should have some familiarity with evidence based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and others.
Should be proficient in various computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Case Management Software
Employees will be required to attend orientation to the LIFE Skills Foundation treatment models, and agency policies and procedures. CPR/First Aid, and BBP certification will be required. A valid Driver’s License and current automobile insurance is also required. An employee must demonstrate having the core skills to deliver competent services to help clients transition to adulthood and independence.
An employee must receive training in population served and client rights/confidentiality. As well training in Motivational Interviewing and Positive Youth Development will be expected and provided. An employee will be instructed in the LIFE Skills Foundation service delivery model, and in agency policies and procedures. A valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance is also required. An employee must demonstrate core skills in delivering outreach services prior to service provision.
LIFE Skills is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to the professional development and well-being of all employees. We provide competitive salaries and a full benefits package including but not limited to platinum level health insurance, vision, retirement contributions and mileage reimbursement.
Special Training/Skills:
Must demonstrate ability to organize and plan weekly schedule and manage time effectively. Must be committed to a solution oriented, person focused, community-based intervention approach to service. Must demonstrate ability to provide leadership and ability to work within a team model. . Must demonstrate ability to join with clients in a full partnership building on strengths, community resources, and formal and informal supports. Must possess thorough knowledge of policies, procedures and standards of care for treatment/services. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation effectiveness. Must communicate regularly with all supervisees and provide regular individual and group supervision. Must be competent with office software applications. Must be adept at initiating daily activities without direct supervision. Must have functional and reliable personal vehicle to meet position in-home requirements.
Benefits:
Competitive Pay based on experience 55-65K
SIMPLE IRA with employer matching
Platinum Medical and Vision Insurance
Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Life/AD&D Insurance paid by employer
Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance paid by employer
Generous PTO policy including a sabbatical based on seniority
Opportunities for professional growth including trainings, seminars and conferences
Mileage reimbursement
Free Yoga Classes
TO APPLY PLEASE EMAIL YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO APPLY@LIFESKILLSFOUND.ORG