Education Resource Specialist - Foster Care Program - Lawrence Hall : Job Details

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 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 program
• 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

• Paid Time Off (PTO): All employees start with an average of 17-25 days of PTO, plus 9 paid holidays.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Fitness/Wellness Reimbursement: Gym membership reimbursement of up to $20 per month to promote overall health and wellness.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a 100% match on contributions up to 3% after one year of service.
• Supplemental Insurance: Includes AD&D, critical illness, accident insurance, and short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance: Full-time employees receive term life insurance coverage equal to twice their salary at no additional cost.
• Employee Referral Program: Earn up to $1,500 for referring successful candidates.
• Parking & Transit Commuter Benefits: Use pre-tax dollars to cover transit costs.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the necessary skills and abilities. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not have experience in all areas of essential functions. We look forward to your application.This position meets the FLSA requirements for ExemptEqual Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V