Salary Wage/Grade: $45,000/yr, $21.63/hr

Position Summary: The Family Allies Young Adult Specialist Care Manager adheres to the BFP System of Care principles of practice and provides family centered strength-based assessment, planning, linkage, coordination, and advocacy for children and families. The Young Adult Specialist works as a team member with key partners including young adults enrolled in Extended Foster Care, family members, caregivers, CLS attorneys, providers, and other appropriate professionals.  The Young Adult Specialist will train and become proficient in identifying and assessing the young adults needs and requirements to maintain enrollment in Extended Foster Care.  The Young Adult Specialist will ensure young adults who are involved in Extend Foster Care have the knowledge, skills, and resources for independence by providing case management services to them while also advocating for their best interest, supporting their education and employment success, assisting to establish a network of supporting adults, and providing an overall focus on the young adults’ wellbeing. 

Technical/Functional Expectations:

1. Maintain required certification – Maintain State of Florida Child Welfare Case Management certification and meet all requirements for renewal.
2. Documentation – Prepare and process all paperwork to establish and monitor eligibility for Extended Foster Care, document all case activity in Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) and ensure each case file contains appropriate eligibility documentation, prepare Case Plans and Judicial Review Social Study Reports. 
3. Communication - Meet at least monthly with all young adults in Extended Foster Care and maintain an open line of communication with all contacts. Be responsive to clients, caregivers, and both internal and external stakeholders.  Participate in and prepare for all meetings.
4. Placements – Manage initial and subsequent placements and living arrangements for all young adults in Extended Foster Care to include all required assessments of placement, living agreements, and maintaining FSFN records for eligibility purposes.
5. Relationships – Develop and maintain strong working relationships with educational institutions and community resources to support development opportunities for young adults in Extended Foster Care.
6. Assessment and Planning – Engage young adults in developing life plans and setting goals in areas of education, housing, transportation, personal fiancé, health, and wellness.  Assist in accessing resources needed to meet plans and goals.  Facilitate assessments of each young adult’s current level of life skills achievement and assist in development of plans to address opportunities.
7. Direct Client Support- Prepare and assist in delivery of and connection to independent living lessons including but not limited to employability training, vocation skills, budgeting/financial skills, nutrition/meal preparation, and socialization/interaction skills; encourage client participation in community activities.
8. Court Appearance and Preparation- Review case information prior to every hearing and be prepared to answer any questions from the Court regarding the status of the case.  Dress appropriately for Court appearances and ensure all court hearings are attended timely. Ensure timely filing of Case Plans and Judicial Review Social Study Reports.
9. Initiatives: Embraces and participates in initiatives and programs designed to enhance the System of Care.  Keep abreast of all dependency, foster care, and independent living statutes and contract requirements.  

1. Trust and Respect: Able to demonstrate and treat others in an honest and straightforward manner; keep dealings with others confidential; keep word and follow through on commitments.
2. Prioritizing: Able to quickly focus on what is important; establish a sequence of tasks and completion dates; set priorities and allocate time and resources when faced with competing demands.
3. Sensitivity: Work effectively with and show sensitivity to cultural differences and various socio- economic backgrounds of others.
4. Ethics: Adhere to and model principles and values of Agency and System of Care by being strength- based and solution-focused; maintains highest level of integrity and ethical standards and work; ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
5. Partnership: collaboratively with employees, partners, stakeholders, and clients in all interactions.
6. Communication: Able to confidently present information to children, parents, partners, court, etc. and speak to individuals and co-workers in an effective and persuasive manner.
7. Flexibility - Able to perform job duties at a high level of autonomy or with minimal supervision; able to set appropriate limits and boundaries with children and families; able to travel and make home visits; able to work flexible hours as required.

1. Valid Driver's License - Essential: A valid driver's license is required to attend meetings and other activities throughout the County and State.
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills: Strong communication skills are essential to clearly and concisely articulate assessments, plans and other documentation in a professional manner.
3. Collaborative, solution-focused approach: A collaborative, solution-focused approach is essential to foster and develop relationships and to build consensus among parties with conflicting positions and opinions.
4. Computer literacy: Intermediate skill in Word, Excel, SACWIS system are required.

1. Bachelor’s degree in social work or related area of study from an accredited college or university required. (Related degrees are Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Counselling, Special Education, Education, Human Development, Child Development, Family Development, Marriage and Family Therapy)
2. State of Florida Child Welfare Certification
3. Two years of experience working with youth and young adults in the child welfare system
4. Knowledge of local community resources

1. Driving
2. Carrying up to 20 pounds
3. Reaching
4. Sitting
5. Standing
6. Bending
7. Near Acuity
8. Reading
9. Speaking
10. Listening
11. Typing
12. Writing