Independent Living Specialist KS

We are seeking an Independent Living Specialist to join our team. 

Starting Salary: $49,000 - $52,000 (Salary)

We are seeking an Independent Living Specialist to join our team.  Your role will exercise discretion and independent judgment in making decisions on the overall management and delivery of services to youth, aimed at assisting youth in developing skills necessary to live safe and healthy lives as adults. You will coordinate and facilitate activities with the youth, the youth's positive adult connections, and child welfare professionals.  As a member of the KS Foster Care team, you will work with 9 other team members and report to our Manager of Independent Living.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Manage and provide case management services to youth over the age of 16.
• Participate in service planning with the youth, family and other members of the child's case team in accordance with Cornerstones of Care and the DCF policy.
• Inform youth and placements about the SOUL Family Permanency Option.
• Develop a relationship with the child to help determine best placement, appropriate services, and continuously assess safety.
• Assist youth in services including but not limited to referring the youth to Chafee Services and other benefits available through the state of Kansas.
• Coordinate any supportive services and resources that youth under case management services and youth living independently in their community may need to ensure timely and efficient service delivery, including assistance with adult guardianships.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

Our ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of child welfare arena experience and the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice or other related field is required.
• Master’s degree and licensed by The BSRB in Kansas are preferred.
• At least 21 years of age and pass background check, physical, and drug screening
• A valid driver’s license in the state you reside in, proof of current vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation.

WHO WE ARE:

Cornerstones of Care is a mental and behavioral health nonprofit certified in trauma-informed care that provides evidence-based prevention, intervention, treatment, and support services to help children and families improve their safety and health by making positive changes in their lives. Each year, our team empowers children and families in Kansas, Missouri, and beyond through three key service areas:

• Youth & Family Support – We help youth gain independence through social and living support programs while empowering families with the skills and resources they need to become resilient and successful.
• Foster Care & Adoption – We reunify and unite families while recruiting and providing support to foster parents and youth in foster care.
• Education & Community Trainings – We help students achieve academic success while giving educators the tools to create safe learning environments to improve their students’ behaviors and offer innovative learning opportunities to build and improve knowledge in the community.

CORNERSTONES OF CARE’S ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENTS:

• Nonviolence - helping to build safety skills and a commitment to a higher purpose.
• Emotional Intelligence - helping to teach emotional management skills.
• Social Learning - helping to build cognitive skills.
• Open Communication - helping to overcome barriers to healthy communication, learn conflict management.
• Democracy - helping to create civic skills of self-control, self-discipline, and administration of healthy authority.
• Social Responsibility - helping to rebuild social connection skills, establish healthy attachment relationships.
• Growth and Change - helping to work through loss and prepare for the future.

OUR WIDE STATEMENT:

At Cornerstones of Care, we commit to fostering a community where every individual, regardless of background or identity, feels deeply welcomed, valued, and empowered. We envision a diverse community where inclusion and welcoming are prioritized. A community where all voices are heard, listened to, and respected. A community where everyone’s physical, emotional, social, and psychological needs are met. At Cornerstones of Care, we have a vision where equity is not just a goal but is present in all we do; every team member feels empowered to authentically contribute to their fullest potential. We hold a collective commitment to WIDE (welcoming, inclusion, diversity, and equity) that will drive us forward as a stronger organization.

OUR DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

• We partner for safe and healthy communities. 
• We cultivate a culture in which children, families, team members, volunteers, donors, and community partners feel welcomed, safe, respected, empowered, and celebrated. 
• We value diversity of race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin or citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, geographical location, pregnancy, disability, neurodiversity, socio-economic, and military status. 
• We stand for anti-racism, equity, and inclusivity. 
• We insist and affirm that discrimination and violence have no place in safe and healthy communities, including in our organization. 
• We strive toward a more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable organization through our policies, partnerships, and practices.

OUR BENEFITS:

Cornerstones of Care offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• 9 Paid Holidays, Unlimited Paid Time Off, and Paid Sick Leave
• Team members who work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for
  • Health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental, vision)
  • Cafeteria plans (Health Savings Account (HSA) and Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts)
  • Ancillary insurance benefits (accident insurance, critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, short-term disability insurance, voluntary life)
  • Cornerstones of Care provides long-term disability insurance and basic term life/AD&D insurance at no cost to the team member
• Retirement savings plan (401K) with employer match
• Pet Insurance
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• To view more information on our benefits, please visit our Job Openings page at Join Our Team - Cornerstones of Care to download the current benefits guide.

Questions?

Please contact: Cornerstones of Care, People Experience Team

8150 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114

Phone: (816) 508-3500 Fax: (816) 508-1757

Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/cornerstonescareers

Cornerstones of Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer