Diversion Case Manager (Youth Intervention Specialist)

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: $27.74 - $31.22/hour

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 in social work with a minimum of 6 years of clinical case management experience with 2 years of experience with youth and families or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor’s in social work with clinical case management experience and actively enrolled in a MSW program.
• Candidate will be required to pass background clearance and TB test (TB test only when requested).
• Strong assessment proven (or on the job) experience to identify underlying needs related to education, development, mental health, substance use, and family dynamics.
• Experience providing in-home and/or community-based direct services to families.
• Ability to maintain a case load of higher needs clients, including youth with serious red flags (Gang affiliations, violence/serious mental health), foster youth, re-entry, and/or high advocacy needs.
• Ability to travel between sites, client’s home, or to our Inglewood office to provide in home and in community services throughout our service area.
• Experience working with adolescents and high-risk populations, including proficient trauma – informed practice, sound crisis management skills and ability to practice cultural humility.
• 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 regarding job duties and assignments.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and various software packages.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
• Must pass background clearance and TB test. (When requested)
• Ability to apply the science of child and youth development in practice.
• Ability to apply an intersectional approach when conducting assessments, service planning and evaluation.
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills for effective clinical interventions with high-risk individuals and families. (foster care, gang involvement, fire-setting, runaway, unhoused)
• Ability to handle the most challenging cases with minimal additional training/coaching.
• Proven track record of success with high risk, highly challenging cases.
• Strong communication skills including presenting, facilitation, and relationship building.
• Willing and able to work in different environments, including spending a large amount of time on the ground within communities.
• High quality compliance with agency policies, case timelines, and documentation.
• Reliable usage of a strength-based and client-centered approach and practice.
• Ability to successfully navigate ethical dilemmas as they arise.
• Understanding of impacts of life adversity and toxic stress.
• Ability to provide Psychological First Aid.
• Ability to apply Community Resiliency Model concepts and practices.
• Ability to engage youth and families in mindfulness practices.
• Ability to demonstrate versatility.
• Creativity, imagination, and resourcefulness in problem solving.
• Personal integrity and ethical behavior.
• Sound clinical judgement & decision-making skills.
• Curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning and growth as an individual and professional.
• Ability to contribute to organizational change and development.
• Understanding interpersonal violence and how to support victims.
• Ability to facilitate therapeutic groups.
• Must understand, maintain, and uphold the mission and vision of CYS.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Master’s degree in family therapy, social work or closely related field with minimum of three years post masters experience in clinical case management and/or counseling experience with youth and families or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience or knowledge of Restorative Justice.
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing.

General Functions and Responsibilities:

Duties/Responsibilities: Under the direction and supervision of the Program Supervisor, the Intervention Specialist 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:

• Leading training and shadowing for lower-level case managers, focusing on CYS practices and policies.
• 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 continuum of care as well as leverage relevant community resources as needed; Intervention Specialist must participate in collaborative service planning and understand 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.

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.