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Lawrence Hall

Education Resource Specialist - Foster Care Program

Lawrence Hall, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290


WHO WE ARE:

Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs - Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness - have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community-based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the FC VP, assists young people in working toward their educational and employment goals. Visits young people in their homes as well as community resources using agency and/or personal vehicle. Recommends educational or vocational programs for young people considering such factors as physical, emotional and educational levels of development. Must have good verbal and written communication skills. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Meet with young people to assist in working towards educational goals

Works collaboratively with the Foster Care team to support model fidelity while assisting youth in their educational attainment.

Work with young people to develop a plan for meeting educational and vocational goals

Assist young people in locating appropriate training and educational programs

Monitor young people's participation and attendance at vocational training or education programs

Meet with appropriate program employees to resolve behavior or academic problems

Tutor young people in academic areas to ensure their comprehension of subject matter

Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.

Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization

Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants

Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect

Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences

Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment

Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma-informed in a twelve-month period

Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees, and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery

Attend required agency meetings

Complete all written reports as required

Assist in monitoring young people during non-office hours when necessary

Visit with youth at worksite, or school and foster home to monitor progress of young people to determine support needed to meet required goals

Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned

Every employee must successfully pass Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training in all testing portions applicable to their position. Following completion of the full course, staff members must recertify every six months thereafter. Not only must you successfully complete the TCI training, but you must then put that training into practice in your everyday work.

Other duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office located at 400 W. 76th street, Chicago

Hybrid role after a minimum of 90 days 100% in office for onboarding and training requirements.

In-office note date on Wednesdays.

Flexible schedule to be able to prioritize and meet with your around the school schedule and foster parents around their work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in education or related field experience with adolescent population, or experience as teacher or trainer

Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred

Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength-based approach preferred

Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance

Valid Illinois Driver's license

No history of child abuse or neglect

Ability to pass background and drug screen

Highlighted benefits

Provides full-time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional cost

Reimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid in your overall fitness and health

Offers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of service

All employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTO

Employee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates

9 paid holidays off

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for

Exempt

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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