Youth Transition Specialist (200078)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. LSF is seeking a talented Youth Transition Specialist to make an impact in the lives of youth in foster care and young adults transitioning to independent living in Polk County.

About the Role

This position leads support activities for life, academic, vocational, and evidence-based skill building through various curricula. The Youth Transition Specialist assists youth in foster care and young adults who exit foster care at age 18 in making the transition to independent living and self-sufficiency. They provide opportunities for life skills activities, ensure compliance with audits and quality assurance, and serve as the primary point of contact for foster care youth ages 13-23. The role may also include traditional case management duties for dependency cases.

Responsibilities

• Maintain socially appropriate behavior of youth through de-escalation skills and disciplinary procedures.
• Serve as a positive role model through appearance, attitude, and behavior.
• Support remedial education, tutoring, and GED preparation.
• Mentor youth in skill building and employability development.
• Coordinate and transport youth to obtain documents necessary for employment.
• Schedule and transport youth to services, job interviews, community service projects, and other activities.
• Maintain sight and sound supervision of youth, ensuring a safe and secure environment.
• Implement and document the behavior management system.
• Comply with Community-Based Care (CBC) Independent Living (IL) Standards for Traditional Services.

Ages 13-18

• Refer eligible teens for IL services within 30 days of their 13th birthday or adjudication.
• Complete Life Skills Assessments within 30 days of adjudication and annually at ages 13, 15, and 17.
• Schedule and present at all IL staffings, ensuring youth and necessary parties attend.
• Document staffing results in a Transitional Plan provided to the youth for approval.
• Provide age-appropriate life skills training and ensure youth and caregivers understand attendance requirements.
• Ensure youth have an educational and career path included in their case plans, reviewed at judicial hearings.
• Assist youth in choosing post-secondary goals (college, vocational training, military, employment, or apprenticeship).
• Facilitate referrals to service providers (mental health, substance abuse, life skills, job training, etc.).
• Support youth in completing applications for schools, scholarships, grants, public assistance, SSI/SSA, and IL programs.
• Coordinate and implement a post-18 Transitional Plan addressing housing, financial supports, education, and employment.
• Develop and file quarterly Transitional Plans for 17-year-olds in conjunction with staffings.
• Participate in agency on-call rotation.

Ages 18-23

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Independent Living clients.
• Follow up on youth requests for services within three working days.
• Ensure client eligibility for services and assist with applications (Aftercare, Post-secondary Educational Services, etc.).
• Link clients to community services (housing, employment, re-entry programs).
• Maintain updated client contact information in automated data systems (FSFN, ASK, CBC).
• Liaison between Social Security, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and clients.
• Assist youth in completing applications for schools, scholarships, grants, public assistance, SSI/SSA, and IL programs.
• Facilitate referrals to service providers (mental health, substance abuse, life skills, job training, etc.).
• Conduct monthly telephone and quarterly face-to-face contact with young adults.
• Participate in agency on-call rotation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.
• Two years of related experience in child welfare or youth crisis programs.
• Current Certified Child Welfare Case Manager certification in Florida.
• Two years of full-time paid or volunteer experience working with at-risk or delinquent youth preferred.

Skills

• Ability to present creative recreational or leisure activities.
• Understanding of group dynamics, leadership, and crisis intervention.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of service populations.
• Group management, observation, and documentation procedures.
• Knowledge of juvenile delinquent rehabilitation methods preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 24/7 telehealth access to doctors.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employer-paid life insurance (1X salary).
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday.
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year).
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer contribution.

Principal Accountabilities

• Report to Permanency Manager.
• Collaborate with co-workers, stakeholders, and administrators.
• Ensure qualitative care for clients in a safe, secure environment.
• Adhere to license and quality assurance standards of local, state, and federal agencies.
• Effectively manage and supervise youth behavior during activities.
• Serve as a role model for behavioral management tools and techniques.
• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures.