TPSN Transition Coordinator

About the Program

The Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN) is a statewide program that works exclusively with pregnant and parenting youth in DCFS care and their children. By managing statewide services under a single umbrella, UCAN provides seamless service to placement providers and youth through a continuum of care. UCAN offers a full scope of clinical, training, education, and parenting services designed to help young parents cope with the effects of trauma. Staff members are trained to identify and treat trauma while enhancing the parenting capacity of youth, starting by meeting them where they are and building from their strengths.

About the Role

The TPSN Transition Coordinator acts as a liaison to agencies servicing pregnant/parenting youth, dually involved youth, and youth leaving care. This position requires strong emphasis on relationship building and networking with DCFS, case management agencies, and community resources. The Transition Coordinator may also directly supervise part-time and/or intern positions.

In the role within the DCFS Countdown to 21 (C21) project, the Transition Coordinator serves as the team lead, coordinating all aspects of the C21 administrative process. This includes acting as a liaison with DCFS staff, supporting the Clinical Consulting team in implementing C21-related tasks, and reporting to internal and external stakeholders on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. The Transition Coordinator also leads various projects in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including managing youth involved in the justice system and other assigned projects.

The Transition Coordinator may have 0-15 Clinical Case Consultation assignments, depending on workflow. In supporting Clinical Consulting, they assist case management and treatment teams in providing appropriate services and interventions to young pregnant/parenting youth, as well as triaging high-needs cases before assignment to other team members.

Responsibilities

• Manages the TPSN C21 project:
  • Serve as the point of contact between DCFS and TPSN for all C21-related matters.
  • Participate quarterly in presentations and meetings with DCFS Administration regarding C21 data analysis.
  • Monitor and manage data from multiple sources, providing regular feedback to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Manage project logistics, including scheduling, staff coverage, and implementation of C21 policies.
  • Provide ongoing guidance and leadership to team members on all C21-related matters.
• Manages C21 and other TPSN projects as assigned:
  • Serve as the point of contact between DCFS and TPSN.
  • Participate in all required training and calls with DCFS.
  • Supervise potential interns, offering regular reflective supervision to best serve assigned youth.
  • Monitor and manage data for all projects, reporting to external stakeholders.
  • Manage project logistics, including scheduling, coverage, implementation of guidelines, transition funds, and other C21 policies.
• Provides Clinical Consultation:
  • Facilitate and participate in staffings (Clinical/CIPP, Intake, Discharge, Hospitalization) with pregnant/parenting clients, including the child and family team (GALs, therapists, foster/bio-family, when appropriate) to assess service needs and implement recommended services.
  • Regularly monitor cases to assess strengths and risks.
  • Provide clinical expertise to staff and direction regarding crisis intervention when a teen or their placement is unstable or in crisis.
  • Demonstrate insight into clients' strengths and needs, incorporating this into clinical recommendations.
• Identifying and Addressing Client Needs:
  • Make plans and decisions based on clinically and developmentally appropriate best practices and ethical considerations.
  • Use population-specific knowledge and expertise in developing clinical recommendations and intervention strategies.
  • Understand the mental health diagnoses of clients and consider those needs in planning services.
  • Consider cultural factors that may impact the client or the appropriateness of services, and address them proficiently to provide needed services.
  • Consult with supervisors, other clinical team staff, and agency consultants.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Thoroughly document all case interactions, including phone calls, emails, faxes, letters, reports, and any other written correspondences within the assigned time frame.
  • Communicate as needed with case managers and other social service providers about the client.
  • Write reports on client progress and participation as requested or needed by various providers.
  • Make frequent reports to supervisors on the progress of client services.
  • Maintain accurate, complete, and timely service documentation as required by UCAN and TPSN policy and procedures.
  • Enter updates and maintain accurate data in the DCFS SACWIS and Evolv databases, including documenting all contacts in Evolv within three days of occurrence.
  • Report all critical incidents, incidents of abuse or neglect, and unusual incidents to supervisors, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN, TPSN, or mandated reporting law, and document events within 24 hours of every intervention.
• Organization and Service Delivery:
  • Respond in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email, and phone call inquiries regarding clients.
  • Study, learn, and use UCAN, TPSN, and DCFS procedures for providing services to clients.
  • Explain TPSN’s services to clients, families, and agencies, and assist them in utilizing all available resources.
  • Organize and prioritize tasks to meet client needs and complete job requirements.
• Building Relationships and Networks:
  • Engage resistant and/or mandated clients in services.
  • Develop effective helping relationships with teen parents.
  • Develop effective and collaborative relationships with community agencies and collaterals.
  • Facilitate communication between the client and case management team to work as a cohesive unit in the client’s best interest.
  • Work cooperatively with other TPSN staff, including RSP staff and TPSN administration.
• Professionalism and Work Conduct:
  • Behave with integrity, demonstrate high ethical standards, and display a positive image of UCAN.
  • Act in a professional manner at all times and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.
  • Demonstrate accountability for results and keep commitments to others.
  • Report to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
  • Demonstrate openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
  • Accept feedback and ideas from the team and supervisor, and provide constructive feedback to others.
  • Discuss alternative problem-solving approaches and remain open to new ideas and ways of approaching a case.
• Professional Development:
  • Attend regular supervision, staff meetings, required training, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.
  • Set annual developmental goals with a supervisor to meet learning needs and interests while enhancing job performance and skills.
  • Provide ongoing support to agencies and staff through trainings, seminars, resource referrals, relationship building, and knowledge of the Teen Parenting Service Network and associated procedures.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work or a related Human Service field.
• At least 2-3 years’ experience working with pregnant and parenting clients or in the Child Welfare System.
• Project management experience.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• LCSW or LCPC preferred.
• For internal candidates: Good standing for 12 months in the current position, with most recent performance evaluations rated as exceeding expectations, and demonstration of leadership qualities within the current role.

Skills and Qualifications

• Exceptionally strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Proven project management skills.
• Openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients, with willingness and competence to work with a diverse client population.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a high-functioning team.
• Proven ability to work effectively with young parents and their children.
• Experience working with clients with disabilities and community-based resources.
• Car and valid Illinois driver’s license required.

Benefits

UCAN offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health and well-being of employees and their families.

• Benefits You Can Choose From:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
  • Voluntary Life Insurance.
  • Voluntary Short-Term Disability.
  • Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance.
  • Voluntary Accident Coverage.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
  • Retirement Plan (401k).
  • Tuition Reimbursement.
• Benefits Provided At No Cost To You:
  • Group Life and AD&D Insurance.
  • Group Long-Term Disability.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).