Placement Support Manager

This position is a part of our Caregiver Support Program which now covers multiple service areas. This posting is for our Pacific Mountain area which encompasses Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. The Placement Support Manager is responsible for assuring the health, safety, and emotional well-being of all clients served by Youthnet’s Caregiver Support Program. The Placement Support Manager will develop and implement a Placement Support Plan that addresses the needs of each caregiver to provide the level of support required of each youth in their care. The Placement Support Manager will act under Youthnet’s mission and philosophy.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide Caregiver Support Services to a caseload as assigned.
• Provide individualized case support and coordination of services.
• Development of the Caregiver Support Plans.
• Delivery of Caregiver Support services.
• Caregiver Support services are activities that assist the caregiver in supporting a child or youth in their care to access needed medical, social, educational, and other necessary services.
• These activities include but are not limited to:
• Developing a Caregiver Support plan with a caregiver for each youth placed into their care.
• Helping the caregiver to monitor the child’s progress relative to the child’s service plan.
• Assist in coordinating the child’s referral to services.
• Providing case aide support.
• Connecting the caregiver to community and cultural resources when appropriate.
• Assisting the caregiver with payment issues.
• Assist caregiver and youth in building/maintaining a connection to their family and other important individuals in the youth’s life.
• Provide caregiver(s) with resources and skills training to increase their child/youth-specific parenting skills (including behaviour management, culturally relevant connections/practices, independent life skills, etc.).
• Assist with the creation and implementation of child-specific supervision plans as needed.
• Support caregiver in creating an individualized resource list (including daycare/after-school care, medical/dental services, respite care, cultural supports, mental health services, etc.).
• Monitor foster homes for compliance with health and safety requirements as related to the child/children placed in the home.
• Ensuring that services provided are documented in the individual client file.
• Maintain liaison with parents, DSHS caseworkers, school staff, probation officers, therapists, and all other persons necessary for effective treatment.
• Carry emergency on-call cell phone as established by agency protocol.
• Other tasks as assigned.

COMMUNICATION

• Oral Communication: Ability to relate to and interact with clients, foster parents, staff, and others in a professional, collaborative manner. Communicate effectively in individual or group situations including demonstrating listening skills. Ability to communicate with multiple customers including the people receiving support, foster parents, family support aids, biological parents, state personnel, and others. Effectively advocate for people receiving support. Ability to promote non-defensive, collaborative relationships.
• Written Communication: Ability to communicate effectively in writing using accurate grammatical form and ability to read and interpret written information. Ability to write objective reports and maintain accurate documentation. Ability to complete written requirements in a timely manner, consistent with contractual obligations.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• Coach, train, and mentor foster parents and provide positive leadership and team building based on respect, cooperation, and competency; which embraces Youthnet’s mission, vision, and values.
• Demonstrates excellence in work standards and tenaciousness in completing tasks.
• Takes personal responsibility for actions.
• Ability to effectively problem-solve and make decisions to include resolving crisis situations, and developing resolutions between parties.
• Ability to work well with other team members by demonstrating ability to cooperate with others in the group using friendly, cooperative relations in accomplishing mutual goals and preparing assignments on time.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively with people receiving support, co-workers, parents, and supervisors.

REQUIREMENTS

• A Master’s degree in social services or a closely related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree in social services or closely related field.
• Five (5) years full-time of documented experience working with children or youth in one or a combination of the following settings:
• State-licensed in-home or facility-based daycare, or professional nanny.
• School setting or early learning center.
• Mental Health Hospital.
• Juvenile Rehabilitation facility, detention center, law enforcement, or corrections.
• A child placing agency, residential care program, or as a licensed foster parent.
• Conducting supervised visits.
• Working as staff directly with children or families in a community service organization.
• Complete a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of the following preservice training.
• Complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of annual training.
• Willingness to attend agency-sponsored trainings and events.
• Ability to access resources and support families.
• Awareness and appreciation of other cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to interact as a team member.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of computer software.
• Appropriate telephone etiquette and skills.
• Self-directed, ability to work with minimum supervision and support.
• Ability to pass a Washington State criminal check.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Ability to work onsite and in person at a Youthnet office, home visits for clients, and other in-person appointments.
• Ability to work remotely and have personal office space for remote work.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Required to carry an on-call cell phone and effectively respond to crises both on the phone and, when necessary, in person.
• Ability to accurately document needed information and case notes promptly.
• May be required to assume a seated position at a computer or desk for extended periods.
• Ability to greet the public, use the telephone, and effectively communicate with multiple customers, clients, co-workers, and contractors.
• Ability to attend meetings/trainings/home visits.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions that may include dealing with difficult people and handling multiple work assignments.

EQUIPMENT NORMALLY USED

• Computer, cellular phone, printer, telephone, fax machine, and copy machine.