The Transition to Adult Services (TAS) Specialist is responsible for facilitating the successful transition of Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Youth in Care with Intellectual Disabilities from DCFS services to Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) adult services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Position-Specific

• Demonstrates agency clinical philosophy in all aspects of program activities.
• Promptly responds to new TAS referrals by actively participating in TAS opening meetings.
• Collaborates with the youth's treatment team to develop a transition plan that addresses eligibility for and eventual adult DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) services.
• Prepare for and attend all required meetings: staffings, clinical meetings, DCFS and DHS meetings, C21s, and occasional court hearings for all assigned youth.
• Consults at least monthly with the treatment team, DHS and/or other professionals to ensure that transition steps are being completed.
• Ensures that data and information is correctly entered on the Transition List (a list of shared information between DCFS and DHS).
• Assists the treatment team with accessing referrals for psychological evaluations, medical, school, therapeutic and other services.
• Ensure that all documentation and other activities are completed for DHS DDD eligibly.
• Ensure that appropriate adult services referrals are made and assist in the follow up of referrals.
• Ensure the transition process is completed.
• Assists the TAS Manager with TAS training (virtual and in person).
• Documents all activities in a timely manner using approved forms/databases.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the DCFS/DHS DDD Interagency Agreement, COA accreditation standards and related DCFS and policy and procedures.
• Completes other duties as assigned by the TAS Manager and TAS.

All Employees

• Supports the agency's mission, vision, and values.
• Strives to demonstrate the following core principles to promote the best outcomes for children and families:
  • Lead by empathy and nonjudgement
  • Practice Self-Awareness
  • Name power imbalances and structural limitations
  • Center youth and caregiver voice and choice
  • Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness
  • Balance healthy boundaries with authentic relationships
  • Connect with what drives us
  • Prioritize self-care
  • Commit to critical thinking and curiosity
  • Celebrate strengths and successes
• Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of children and families impacted by abuse and neglect.
• Actively participates in the agency's quality improvement process.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate professional boundaries.
• Understands and abides by agency's policies and procedures.
• Effectively utilizes supervision and provides supervisor with critical information in a timely manner.
• Attends and participates in professional development opportunities relevant to position.
• Adheres to assigned schedule and notifies supervisor of changes for approval.
• Utilizes Microsoft Outlook Calendar to accurately reflect planned daily schedule and changes.

Work Environment

This employee operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Must be able to operate motor vehicle.

Expected Hours of Work

Work schedules are based on the needs of the children, youth and families served by the agency and sometimes include nights and weekends. Specialists are expected to work 40 hours per week; the work schedule to be developed with and approved by Supervisor. Hours worked over 40 hours require Supervisory pre-approval. A work week is defined as Sunday to Saturday.

Travel

The TAS Specialist primarily attends meetings and training courses virtually, but occasional travel throughout Illinois is required.

Educational Requirements/General Qualifications

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Our contract requires background checks that include: criminal, education, and motor vehicle.