Case Management Specialist

Job description

The mission of Centinela Youth Services, Inc. (CYS) is to strengthen families and communities and help build successful students and productive adults, leveraging the principles of restorative justice to empower peaceful conflict resolution. We are committed to ending the institutionalized practices in schools and justice systems that are primarily responsible for maintaining the school-to-prison pipeline, and disproportionately impact youth of color. CYS operates a variety of innovative programs that are proven to increase student performance; reduce school dropout rates, gang involvement, youth violence and crime and ultimately help preserve families. CYS is leading innovation that is transforming youth justice in LA and the state, with a commitment to both youth development and serving victims of youth crime, while impacting systemic change to end the school to prison pipeline. CYS is also providing leadership to critical juvenile justice reform in LA County, and as a result is growing rapidly. CYS is seeking energetic, creative, and dynamic leaders to manage outreach and relations with justice system partners.

Compensation - Compensation Range: $22 - $31.24

This is a non-exempt full-time position, including benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. All full-time employees are invited to participate in the company’s health benefits package after completing the 60-90-day employment introductory period. Our benefits program includes select health plans and dental plans at 100% cost coverage (for employee only), vision insurance, time off accruals and holiday pay.

Work location

This position will split time between remote work and our Inglewood office. This position involves meetings in the field at various locations across Los Angeles County.

Schedule

This is a full-time position. CYS has the following 9/80 work schedule: Monday – Thursday, 8am – 6pm. Friday, 8am – 5pm, with every other Friday off.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, sociology, human services, psychology, or a closely related field with minimum two years of working experience with diverse youth and families (or CYS Internship) or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Candidates will be required to pass background clearance and TB test (TB test only when requested).
• Experience providing in-home and/or community-based direct services to families.
• Candidate must have basic understanding of Restorative Justice concepts & practices and understanding of juvenile justice diversion programs.
• Moderate understanding of traumas effects on behavior development & how to prevent re-traumatization.
• Applicant must understand youth development principles and practices and ability to perform initial assessments of youth and family needs and develop services plans.
• Ability to evaluate the impact of support activities and carefully rearrange services plans as needed.
• Skilled in spotting red flags and knowing when to seek consultation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of both risk and protective factors, as well as understanding the stages of change.
• Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals.
• Exposure and/or training in Motivational Interviewing.
• Demonstrate adherence to program policies and process (documentation, timelines, etc.).
• Ability to project self as a positive role model in dress, behavior, including maintaining professional limits and boundaries.
• Must have awareness of personal strengths and limitations and the ability to embrace change.
• Ability to manage emotions in difficult situations and to express sympathy.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse populations and work in different environments.
• Understanding the impacts of systemic racism, including the school – prison pipeline on communities of color.
• Experience providing culturally relevant services.
• Experience working with adolescents and high-risk populations, including sound crisis management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to connect with a variety of audiences.
• Candidate must be able to work well under stress and meet deadlines.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility in regard to job duties and assignments.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and various software packages

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Master’s degree in social work and a minimum of 1 year of experience working with diverse youth and families or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience or knowledge of Restorative Justice.
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing.
• Social Justice oriented.

General Functions and Responsibilities:

Duties/Responsibilities: Under the direction and supervision of the Program Supervisor, the Case Management Specialist for ERJC will provide comprehensive strengths-based case management services to youth involved in or at risk of being involved in the juvenile justice system. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct intake and assessment; direct service linkage and referral; case planning and contracting; case coordination and advocacy; and follow up.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of bio-psycho-social, emotional, educational, vocational, and functional needs of youth and their families, including identifying risk factors and strengths.
• Provide case management and advocacy for youth and their families enrolled in the Everychild Restorative Justice Center in order to access needed services and meet the requirements for enrollment and successful completion of the program.
• Develop an individualized service plan in coordination with CYS/ERJC continuum of care as well as leverage relevant community resources as needed; Case Manager must participate in collaborative service planning and have an understanding of the stages of change and development.
• Support identified youth in meeting their specified goals in increasing emotional, behavioral, and mental health stability so that they can minimize their risk of involvement with the Justice System.
• Provide crisis prevention, intervention, and safety planning services, along with stress management and life skills development.
• Work closely with referral agencies (law enforcement, schools, probation, district attorney) and internal personnel to ensure coordinated and effective services.
• Maintain regular contact with service providers and referring agency to monitor youth progress.
• Make weekly home and school visits according to identified service plan.
• Act as a Mandated Reporter of suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
• Maintain up-to-date confidential records in CYS Connect database and office records.
• Prepare case histories, reports, maintain records and chronological logs of case activities.
• Occasionally represent CYS Restorative Justice programs in County and community meetings, and professional associations.
• Engage in individual supervision twice a month.
• Participate in ongoing case reviews, training activities as directed, in-monthly case management meetings and all staff meetings.
• Provide reliable and consistent support for youth experiencing the effects of trauma.
• Support youth in a warm, non-judgmental fashion with caring, yet clear professional boundaries; contact youth as needed to help ensure their participation, track attendance, and administer the dissemination of youth incentives.
• Identify additional needs of youth in the group and communicate those needs to CYS coordinators to make further services connections for participating youth as needed.
• Respect the space and rules of partner/host agencies where sessions may be held and communicate with CYS immediately if any concerns arise at the location or with youth enrolled.
• Maintain clear communication with parents, host locations and CYS to insure successful delivery of services to meet the needs of youth.
• Outreach and follow up with established school contacts to negotiate scheduling and location for sessions.
• Guide and support school contacts to recruit and place youth for this service.

Other Duties:

• Other duties may be assigned as dictated by business needs.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• May require spending most of the day walking, standing, sitting, and regularly driving back and forth to off-site locations.
• Significant periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
• Reliable transportation required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.92 - $23.71 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Tell us about your experience supporting young people through needs assessments. Describe specific situations where you interviewed youth and/or their families to understand their personal, health, educational, social, or financial needs and potential risks. What methods did you use, and what were the key insights you gained?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Case Management: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Inglewood, CA 90301: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Inglewood, CA 90301