(Hybrid) Community Support Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities

West Virginia University - Morgantown, WV

Full-time - Entry Level

Morgantown, WV

Educational Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities plays a crucial role in supporting the Mentoring & Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) Program. This position focuses on providing follow-up services to youth transitioning from foster care to adult independence, ensuring they receive the necessary support in various life domains such as housing, employment, education, and health. The goal is to promote self-sufficiency and facilitate a successful transition for former foster care youth.

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) and community resource providers.
• 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 help with enrolling in postsecondary education programs and independent living skills training.
• Train and consult DHHR staff and other agencies regarding the MODIFY Program policy and needs of former foster youth.
• Develop and implement policy and program-related training for DHHR and private childcare agency staff.
• 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.
• Provide technical assistance and consult with DHHR staff regarding transition and independent living services.
• Plan and implement the Foster Care Youth Council in the region of assignment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Vocational Counseling, Psychology, or related social service field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of direct service working with older adolescents.
• Advanced knowledge of processes and procedures related to service delivery.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, including individual differences in ability and personality.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.
• Skilled at effectively conveying information and understanding others' reactions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work effectively.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of and/or experience with the West Virginia State foster care system.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks