Community Support Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities

About the role

The purpose of this position is to provide support for the Mentoring & Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) Program at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED). This position provides follow-up services to youth in transition from foster care to adult independence. The primary emphasis is the coordination of services to youth exiting foster care.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management services to foster youth discharging the foster care system who are pursuing post-secondary education or an employment program.
• Develop and sustain positive working relationships with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Bureau of Children and Families Division field offices, community resource providers, child/adult care agencies/ providers and the DHHR field staff in the region of assignment to facilitate collaborative efforts to improve services to foster care and former foster care youth.
• Train attendees at multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings about the MODIFY Program and benefits available to youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
• Collect data for analysis of post-discharge follow up data on former foster youth.
• Provide additional direct services to former foster care youth including, but not limited to, help with enrolling in postsecondary education programs, supportive counseling, linkage/referral to needed services in the region, financial assistance, independent living skills training, social skills training, and other services as deemed necessary to promote their independence.
• Train and consult DHHR staff, other agencies, or foster care home regarding the MODIFY Program policy and needs of former foster youth receiving services; identify ways to collaborate and provide combined services to meet those needs.
• Develop and implement policy and program-related training for DHHR, private childcare agency staff, foster parents, and consumers.
• Provide 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 by participating in regional life skills instruction trainings.
• Provide technical assistance and consult with DHHR staff and provide agencies relating to the transition and independent living services.
• Plan and implement the Foster Care Youth Council in the region of assignment as well as collaborating with other regional Foster Care Youth Councils.
• Attend MODIFY staff meetings, attend WVUCED staff meetings, and participate in other appropriate duties assigned by the MODIFY Program Manager.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license
• Must have, or be eligible for, licensure as a Social Worker or certified Social Worker by the West Virginia Board of Social Work Examiners.