Social Worker IAT – LINKS 5305.002

Description of Job Duties:    The primary purpose of this position is to provide LINKS and 18-21 program services to adolescents aged 13 to 21 who are or were in Foster Care to become connected with the resources they need to help assure that they will have a well-connected, self-sufficient life.  The LINKS program is mandated through the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and is funded through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Foster Care 18 to 21 is a program that offers young adults opportunities to continue foster care placement and transition to independence with county child welfare agency supervision. There are some young adults who may not be ready to exit foster care upon turning 18 years of age, and may choose to stay in Foster Care 18 to 21 as long as certain requirements are met. Young adults who exit foster care at age 18 are also able to return to the Foster Care 18 to 21 program at a later date as long as they have not reached their 21st birthday. County child welfare agencies are responsible for providing eligible young adults who enter into an agreement for Foster Care 18 to 21 services with ongoing efforts to help prepare and ensure the young adult’s successful transition into adulthood. The LINKS Coordinator receives referrals from current Foster Care staff and utilizes youth development principles.  The coordinator interacts with the youth as a resource to assist the youth in becoming self-sufficient over time.  Activities involved in coordination and service delivery includes, but is not limited to:   attending Permanency Planning Review meetings; developing a good working relationship with eligible teens and young adults, their caregivers, supporters and social workers using a positive youth development approach that will provide a challenging and supportive environment which will help their preparation for adulthood; verifying eligibility for LINKS and for LINKS Special Funds; preparing an annual plan for the County LINKS program; development and maintenance of an individualized Transitional Living Plan that includes goals that will assist the young adult in transitioning into self-sufficiency; development of a Transition Plan 90 days prior to the young adult’s 21^st birthday, or planned exit from Foster Care 18 to 21; and monthly contact with the young adult, including quarterly in-home assessments of the young adult’s living arrangements. This employee will learn and use programs Compass Pilot and Compass Appointments (Compass Co-Pilot, if issued a DSS iPad) as required by position to do, but not limited to: request leave, schedule/receive appropriate appointments, set up virtual files, scan/retrieve documents, receive/send tasks.  Experience using Microsoft Office 2000 (Word, Excel, etc.) required.

Educational/Experience Requirements:

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; or
• Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; or
• Master's degree in counseling in a human services field and one year of social work or counseling; or
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; or
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.

(Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.)