Gracehaven – Youth Direct Care Specialist

Supervisor: Youth Direct Care Specialist Supervisor 

GOAL:  To gain experience working with at-risk and youth who have been trafficked through direct care at the group home, participating in presentations and trainings in the community and observing case management services through the lens of trauma-informed care. 

KEY OBJECTIVES 

• Responsible to create and adhere to the agreed upon learning agreement and objectives
• Responsible to engage in addressing Social Work Competencies 
• Meet requirements for supervision 
• Responsible to meet compliance standards in documentation 
• Attend staff/team meetings 
• Responsible to meet ODJFS requirements, HIPAA, and CARF Requirements
• Responsible to actively embrace spiritual responsibilities  

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provide Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Care

• Responsible to build a trauma-informed, trust-based relationship with residents
• Use of trauma-informed principles
• Help secure a stable environment for residents to grow
• Be relationally intentional
• Use strengths-based language
• Use de-escalation techniques and principles of Aegis when needed with residents

Provide a Safe and Secure Environment  

• Be able to manage the environment in the house
• Be diligent about residents' safety when in the community
• Responsible to come to work 10 minutes early and ensure a safe and responsible handoff according to procedure.
• Be the safe adult in charge

Establish and Maintain Healthy Working Relationships with the Youth and Co-Workers

• Responsible to work towards reconciliation when in conflict or struggle with residents
• Understand you are there primarily as a safe adult and YDCS, not to befriend the residents
• Be self-aware of compassion fatigue/vicarious trauma and be willing to fight against it
• Receive constructive feedback
• Avoid divisive behaviors and language, be willing to extend grace and be purposeful in team building
• Responsible to address conflict with co-workers or supervisor in a healthy manner
• Responsible to lead by example with kind words, good attitude and resolving conflict

Implement & Maintain Gracehaven Rules, Policies and Procedures  

• Be diligent in consistency
• Maintain healthy boundaries when interacting with residents
• Never share Protected Health Information, or personal information about a resident with another resident, or with anyone that is not able by law to have that information. Check with your supervisor if you are unsure of how to share. Never share if you are uncertain.
• Responsible to follow Gracehaven policies
• Be teachable
• Follow the ODJFS rules for the group home
• Memorize the house rules listed and implement them

Be a Good Team Player 

• View this as a ministry and not simply a “job”
• Be willing to help cover shifts as needed
• Be diligent in working your assigned shifts
• Participate in Gracehaven & COYFC quarterly all-staff trainings
• Participate in Gracehaven and COYFC fundraisers as outlined by your supervisor, inviting people to the See the Story and Over the Edge Events.
• Attend trauma-informed trainings and all staff meetings
• Give adequate notice when needing to terminate your position at Gracehaven (4-6 weeks)
• Meet bi-weekly with your supervisor for coaching and support
• Exhibit and maintain character integrity as a Gracehaven staff member 
• Required to work open/vacant shifts on a rotating basis as needed (usually means a 3rd shift)
• Required to be an on-call YDCS to cover shifts on a rotation

Spiritual Responsibilities

Because Gracehaven, a subsidiary affiliate of Central Ohio Youth for Christ, is a community of like-minded individuals who share a common faith and set of values, we require the individual filling this role to fully embrace our Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct. 

• You are responsible for building each other up in the use of your gifts and talents, and not tearing each other down with gossip, slander, or division.  
• Participate in staff prayer meetings and be able to contribute as appropriate
• Pray for, and be able to winsomely represent the beliefs and values of our faith community the residents who may inquire about them
• You are responsible for walking “in a manner worthy of your calling” in Christ Jesus, as we all are at Gracehaven – being able to shine a beacon of light and hope to youth that desperately need it.