Juvenile Redeploy Caseworker

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SUMMARY:

This position will serve clients/mentees from the community, in Central Illinois and surrounding areas. The Empowerment Caseworker will provide instruction and guidance for clients/mentees in the following areas, but not limited to financial training, income support, employment coaching, and civic engagement and work closely with the Workforce Development Division.

PROGRAM EXPLANATION:

The Juvenile Redeploy program is designed to support justice-involved youth and their families by providing case management, wrap around services, advocacy, mentoring support, referrals, and coordinated community-based interventions intended to reduce high-risk behavior, strengthen family stability, and improve youth outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in providing case management to at least 15 juveniles and wrap around services to the juvenile’s immediate family.
• Follow grant guidelines and assist in meeting all deliverables, reporting requirements, and program objectives.
• Assist in performing client assessments, identifying barriers to success, and coordinating appropriate services with internal staff and community providers.
• Assist with Motivational Interview and completion of YASI risk assessments to support service planning and monitoring of participant progress.
• Assist with documenting client/mentee activity, case notes, action plans, monthly compliance reports, and other required records.
• Assist in advocating for juvenile clients currently involved in the Juvenile Justice System in Sangamon County, including attending juvenile court hearings as required.
• Assist with making referrals to community agencies and navigating youth and families through a coordinated system of support.
• Assist with facilitating and identifying community and peer mentors and supporting mentors and mentees in utilizing resources for academic and social success.
• Assist with building strong relationships with client/mentees and families through one-on-one meetings, small group activities, and ongoing engagement.
• Assist with providing parents/guardians with tools to encourage and develop parenting skills, accountability, boundaries, and discipline.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders and participate in bi-weekly case review meetings with Sangamon County Probation.
• Transport youth and families to approved activities using agency vehicles and provide continuous supervision during transportation, appointments, outings, and program activities.
• Assist with purchasing, organizing, and transporting program supplies, household resources, and other items necessary to support youth, families, and program activities, and perform related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Case management and documentation
• Youth engagement and relationship building
• Family support and advocacy
• Community partnership development
• Conflict mediation and problem solving
• Oral and written communication
• Organization and time management
• Confidentiality and professionalism
• Cultural competency
• Dependability and initiative

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• Maintain an active caseload of 10-15 juveniles and document services, referrals, and client/mentee activity in a timely and complete manner.
• Meet grant deliverables, reporting deadlines, and program objectives in accordance with funding requirements.
• Demonstrate consistent participation in court hearings, case review meetings, and coordinated service planning with Sangamon County Probation and community partners.
• Support youth and families in accessing needed services, appointments, educational opportunities, and community resources that contribute to compliance and progress.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with youth, families, mentors, service providers, and community stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds of household resources, program supplies, event materials, and other items necessary to support youth, families, and program activities.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, and assist participants during community-based activities, appointments, and program events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in student status and pursuing associates, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in social work or related field from an accredited University required.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic, commitment to the position, and a willingness to learn about working in Workforce Development Division with Youth and .
• Excellent verbal and written communication – will interact and build strong working relationships with the community and staff.
• Must have knowledge of administering and interpreting standardized tests.
• Have effective communication skills – both written and oral.
• Have adult and youth-based people skills.
• Strong organizational, time management skills and able to multitask to handle the demands of various cases at the same time.
• Knowledge of computer operations; and/or must be willing to learn Microsoft Office, Outlook, Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Internet.
• Community outreach and engagement experience preferred.
• Have positive community relationships.
• Must be willing to adjust work schedule for evening and or weekend shifts.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to safely operate agency vehicles, including passenger transit vans.
• Must be available to travel locally throughout the service area to support program activities, participant needs, community partnerships, and service delivery requirements.

The Springfield Urban League, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.