Care Advocate Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI wants you to join the team at Homme Youth and Family Programs, a nationally known treatment program serving children and adolescents dealing with issues of sexual perpetration, delinquency, victimization, AODA, cognitive behavioral issues or dual diagnosis, and independent living support as a Care Advocate Specialist. Our programs provide structured daily schedules and activities, sight and/or sound supervision, individual and group therapy, family therapy when possible, spiritual care if desired, on-campus educational services, and reintegration to the community. Our multidisciplinary team of trained counselors, therapists, advocates and teachers provides wraparound care through psychiatric, educational, clinical and milieu services that support each youth and family throughout treatment using a trauma-informed care approach.

Position is second shift, 2 PM - 10 PM or 3 PM - 11 PM on weekdays and requires hours every other weekend (12-14 hr shifts) allowing colleagues to work a four day work week.

Under direction of the supervisor, Care Advocate Specialists develop and implement behavioral support plans for clients; providing a physical and psychologically safe environment for clients to engage in treatment; and perform other duties as required.

At Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI, the health and safety of our colleagues and clients is our top priority! LSS reviews and follows CDC and other public health guidelines. Dependent on program, LSS employees are required to mask based COVID-19 levels. All employees are expected to adhere to LSS health and safety protocols.

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Works closely with unit supervisor and therapist to advocate for an environment conducive to meeting the needs of each individual client by developing and leading implementation of strength based behavior support plans.
• Conducts screens of clients' needs through interviews, collateral contacts, and other reviews; develops a behavioral support plan with the client and performs agreed upon and necessary follow-up and case management services.
• Assists in coaching, training, guiding unit staff and models positive behavior on the unit. Communicates with clients on an individual or group basis providing a positive trauma informed environment; performs crisis counseling as needed, providing advocacy, and guidance.
• May coordinate various social, community, and other health services received by the clients.
• Complies with licensing and agency-wide policies and procedures.
• Assists and leads in planning activity schedules, recreational, educational, and other psycho-educational groups as required. Including Aggression Replacement Training (ART) groups.
• Maintains accurate and timely program required paperwork.
• Participates as a member of a quality team and interacts with primary, external and internal clients of the agency in such a way that the client experiences increased quality.
• Maintains open dialogue with supervisor regarding clients.
• May provide coaching and mentoring to staff in the area of trauma sensitive care to prevent physical interventions and seclusion with the client.
• Performs other duties as required.

PERKS:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Subsidized Dorm Style Staff Housing Onsite
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from a high school or GED equivalency required. Bachelor's Degree preferred. In lieu of bachelor's degree, a minimum of (1) year of related work experience working with high-risk adolescents, using behavioral modification or behavior management systems in a school, residential facility, or community based services is required.

• Experience in crisis management and the development of behavioral support plans.
• CPI/POSC certification required but can be obtained after hire.
• Background check required. Motor vehicle record with satisfactory driving history required.
• Reading, writing, math skills, problem solving, ability to accept/follow through with direction, computer skills, recognize boundaries etc.
• Ability to assist in physical restraint of a client if absolutely necessary. Moving about environment, communicating, responding, driving a motor vehicle, and ability to react in an emergency.
• Working knowledge of mental health disorders, human behavior, dynamics of groups, interpersonal relations, and social interactions.

• Considerable working knowledge of crisis counseling techniques and the development of behavioral support plans.
• Working knowledge of the purpose of a residential care center or services related to youth care, treatment, case management, behavioral support plans, recreational and security programs used to promote a physically and psychologically safe environment.
• Working knowledge of the federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations governing residential care centers or related services, the non-secure detention of client, the delivery of social services, case management, and the ability to provide professional treatment and advocacy of clients.
• Working knowledge of basic principles of first aid.
• Have the ability to use patience, self-control and flexibility when required; have the ability to accept and follow through with direction; and possess the ability to recognize boundaries.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships.
• Ability to detect and recognize potentially hazardous situations and take immediate and appropriate action.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must have a valid Driver's License and car - Motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record required.

TRAVEL:

Ability to travel on day trips as required up to 25%. Some overnight travel may be required.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.