POSITION PURPOSE: 
The Transition to Independence (TIP) Facilitator provides coaching and facilitation to transitional age youth (age 14-21) in meeting identified life goals. The Facilitator provides support for up to 15 young people – using mentoring, teaching skills contingency contracting, counseling, and problem solving to maximize the likelihood of success for each youth served. Also, the Facilitator assists each youth in recognizing that life situations provide both successes and failures and provides him/her with valuable experiences.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:    
Graduate from an accredited College or University with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in the social sciences, rehabilitation, and/or education fields (e.g. special education, psychology, social work) and a minimum of six (6) months experience working in educational, social service, juvenile justice, and/or mental health settings in which the person provided case management, counseling, training, therapy, and/or guidance to young adults and their families. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid Florida driver’s license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check.
    
Licensure / Certification:    
Maintain current CPR certification from the American Heart Association. Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License.
    
Skills / Ability:
Proficiency in verbal and written skills. Must be computer literate. Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability and gender issues


POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES (THIS IS A NON-EXEMPT POSITION)

Conduct strength-based needs assessments via the Strength Discovery Assessment process, related to the transition domains as specified in the TIP System Development and Operations Manual – Employment, Education, Housing, and Community Life Functioning.

Coach and support up to 15 young people as they progress through their levels of service need: active status, maintenance status, and follow-along status.

Collect and record data relevant to the progress of young people across their goals during each of the active, maintenance, and follow-along statuses.

Facilitate each young person’s person-centered planning and development of his/her individualized Transition Support Plan (ISP).

If the young person is in high school, work collaboratively with the teachers and school guidance counselors in developing a person– centered plan with each student.

Develop prevention (risk/crisis) plans as backup support for those youth who require them.

Collaborate with others service practitioners and educators from children’s mental health, education, adult mental health, child welfare, and rehabilitation as needed to ensure appropriate services for each youth served.

Conduct, arrange, or broker the necessary services and supports for each youth in accordance with the person-centered Transition Support Plan.

Promote parent involvement and other key players in planning services and supports for each youth.

Interface with adult mental health case managers to ensure continuity of age-appropriate services for individuals as they approach 18 years of age and older.

Assist the youth in the identification of obstacles to living independently, obtaining employment, obtaining post-secondary education, and in developing supportive social and recreational activates.

Develop strategies to overcome identified barriers.

Assume responsibility for the implementation of strategies developed to assist young people in overcoming obstacles. Collaborate with relevant public and private agencies to achieve the implementation of agreed upon (youth and facilitator) strategies.

Develop inter-agency and community network relationships which improve access to relevant community services and benefits.

Refer young people to appropriate clinical, medical, and behavioral specialists as needed.

Chart and record all contacts and services rendered in accordance with CHI standards, and any applicable funding or regulatory agency standards. Maintain transition records on each young person.

Assist young people in acquiring access to community settings and resources (e.g. employment, housing, social security benefits).

Manage program resources accordance with agency regulations.

Work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed.