Bridges Liaison

Reports to: Immediate Supervisor

Qualifications: Possess two (2) years of experience working with families and/or children in the child welfare system; and possesses an Associate degree (or related certification) or Bachelor degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field.

Must complete required background checks including BCI/FBI with no record of forbidden offenses listed in OAC 5180: As part of the BCI/FBI background checks necessary for employment, in compliance with new policies from the Ohio Department of Children & Youth (DCY), all employees, new hires, and interns will have background checks conducted specifically searching for charges of domestic abuse. If there are any charges of domestic abuse or new charges that occur during time of employment, the employee is subject to denial of employment in the case of prospective new hires or interns and termination of employment for hired staff members, whether employees, contractors, or interns.

Duties:

1. Assess continued need for placement, risk and protective factors, participant's strengths and needs.

2. Build rapport with Young Adults and respect their role in Bridges.

3. Provide Young Adults with supportive, effective case management to include life skills, assist in arranging safe and affordable housing, and other supportive services needed and as identified on their Plan.

4. Assist Young Adults with the completion of the Bridges Application, Voluntary Participation Agreement and gathering eligibility supporting documentation.

5. Manage new referrals from Regional Coordinators/Supervisor and document all attempts to contact the Young Adult or PCSA in the Ohio Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS). The first contact attempt must be within two (2) business days of receiving referral.

6. Maintain a caseload of 10 – 13 Young Adults.

7. Provide crisis intervention, including on-call duty, as rotation requires.

8. Supervision of young Adults in the program and enter the required information in SACWIS within the required program deadlines and coordination of community resources.

a. Enter Housing Type, Tier Screening, Legal Custody immediately after acceptance into the program.

b. Complete initial and ongoing Tier Screening Tool as required.

c. Complete the initial/enrollment Bridges Self-sufficiency.

d. Complete Bridges Assessment and Bridges Plan approved with young adult signature received as required.

e. Provide and document Bridges Plan was provided to participant.

f. Complete a Bridges Review signed by Young Adult.

g. Complete any Bridges Plan amendments as required.

h. Confirm and document eligibility of Young Adults at every required thirty (30) day face-to-face meeting. Dependents are also required to be seen at these visits if receiving dependent case rate.

i. Complete the Liaison Activity Log at every 30-day home visit and enter activity in SACWIS within five (5) calendar days of the activity occurring.

j. Assist Young Adults with creation of their individualized budget; review monthly and update as needed. Ensure maintenance funds are disbursed to meet the Young Adult's needs.

k. Follow critical incident and notification procedures.

l. Educate Young Adults about the grievance process.

m. Generate, save, and send Notice of Ineligibility and Letters of Termination 15 days before termination as required and outlined in OAC 5180:

n. Close cases according to the case closure procedures.

o. Prepare Young Adults for and appear in court as required.

p. Ensure the signed and most current Bridges Plan & Review are in SACWIS for legal counsel use.

q. Copy and paste the legal counsel's notification of a hearing motion into a SACWIS activity log.

r. Contact Bridges attorneys and documents in SACWIS the same day, if a Participant's case is closed or transferred.

s. Arrange for participant travel to official Bridges functions including court hearings and focus groups.

1. Complete DCY Form 7078 to access SACWIS and Bridges Website Portal.

2. Maintain Bridges case documentation in SACWIS and in both the electric and hard file according to policy.

3. Attend Collaborative functions including regional information sessions and trainings.

4. Attend and complete DCY-mandated training.

5. Develop awareness of the program that promotes the agency positively to other professionals, community endeavors, and training events.

6. Actively participate in PQI processes.

7. Attend staff / team / professional development meetings as scheduled.

8. Maintain training hours as required for professional licensing in compliance with the DCY, Ohio CSWMFT Board, OAC, Bridges, and COA standards.

9. Meet with supervisor at least bi-weekly or as required with updated briefing.

10. Support and attendance for agency organized events as required such as family and youth events, recruitment, conferences, and fundraisers.

11. Comply with verbal and written directives as approved by the Executive Director and delivered by the supervisor.

12. This job requires the physical functions of sitting, walking, lifting, inputting data electronically, driving, transporting clients and the possible use of emergency safety physical interventions to maintain the safety of the children served.

13. This job requires the mental functions of reading, writing/documentation, basic math calculations, crisis de-escalation, and withstanding moderate amounts of stress.

14. Contribute to a healthy, productive, and joyful team atmosphere by being flexible, taking responsibility, and exhibiting a high energy, optimistic, and results-oriented attitude.

15. Continually work to increase efficiency and develop a mindset of looking for ways to save time and maximize resources.

16. Maintain awareness of programs, developing an ability to share in public relations endeavors when called upon.

17. Positively representing the agency in all matters pertaining to agency interactions with vendors, the community or public.

18. Employees must familiarize themselves with all policies regarding the use of fleet vehicles found in the Employee Handbook, ensuring that they follow all safety measures therein. If employees fail to follow the outlined procedures, including receiving driving offenses in Ohio, consequences, up to and including mandated attendance to a safe driving course and a loss of privileges to use fleet vehicles, can occur.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive, and the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Board of Trustees.

Focus on Youth, Inc. reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $ $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• West Chester, OH Required)

Work Location: In person