Outcome Specialist

Default Brand; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with matching contribution

Generous paid time off and sick leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Northern Children’s Services is seeking an Outcome Specialist to provide essential support directly impacting the lives of pregnant and parenting adolescents. You will work collaboratively to ensure positive development and health, alongside facilitating connections to community resources.

The ideal candidate will have a deep commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion, possessing expertise in child welfare and will play a crucial role in client engagement and developmental success, ensuring young parents receive the necessary support.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in child welfare or social service field.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Current valid driver’s license and willingness to transport children.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct individual and family services based on trauma-informed practices.
• Manage eight residents and their children in collaboration with city services.
• Develop individualized plans for mothers to enhance parenting skills.

Skills

Expertise in child welfare

Effective communication

Trauma-informed approach

Ability to provide case management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services

Master’s degree preferred in social work or related field

Tools

Computers

Job description

Join Our Team as an Outcome Specialist and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families!

Job Summary

Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future? Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision. We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation. We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.

Why Choose Us

As an Outcome Specialist, you’ll embark on a fulfilling journey.

• Empowerment and Progress
• Effective Communication
• Empowerment Through Planning
• Continuous Monitoring and Progress
• Networking and Collaboration
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full‑time employees.
• Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost, plus LTD and AD&D coverage.
• Self‑funded insurance plans: accident, cancer, life, critical illness, short‑term disability insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Paid Leave: generous paid time off or sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): confidential referral and counseling services, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Legal Services: Self‑funded legal services support.

Qualifications You Bring

• Expertise in child welfare, juvenile justice, or related social service field.
• Physical capabilities: ability to walk up and down stairs, lift 20 lbs, operate a computer.
• Trauma‑informed approach and understanding of Positive Youth Development.

At Northern Children’s Services, Inc., we value diversity, inclusion, and the well‑being of every individual. Join us in our mission to empower children and families, one meaningful interaction at a time. Apply today and be a part of something truly extraordinary!

Job Description

As part of a team, the Outcome Specialist provides direct individual and family services to facilitate healing through trauma‑informed services and Positive Youth Development. The Outcome Specialist is responsible for ensuring connections to services, programs, activities, and resources that lead to positive short‑ and long‑term outcomes for program participants. The Specialist supports pregnant, expecting, and parenting adolescent females aged 13‑20, helping them stabilize and develop individualized skills for successful transition to adulthood, including safe housing, education, independent living, employment, support systems, and avoidance of legal involvement. The Specialist also ensures parenting youth receive supportive resources to enhance parenting skills, pursue education, and prepare for self‑sufficiency upon aging out of care. Residential cases involve sixteen pregnant, expecting or parenting adolescents under the care of the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) or through a Community Umbrella Agency (CUA), with potential involvement in the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice system. The Specialist manages eight residents and their children (two Specialists serve 16 residents). Regulatory compliance and reporting are fundamental requirements.

Essential Functions

Planning

• Attend and actively participate in all required trainings and pursue other professional development training.
• Manage time effectively to complete direct service requirements and documentation (e.g., ISP, quarterly reports, updated dental, physical, educational documents).
• Attend interviews for potential residential residents.
• Plan processes that support mothers in enhancing parenting skills, educational goals, strategies, and daily living skills.
• Collaborate with the Director of Residential Programs and Operations Manager to plan effective daily programming for young mothers and their children.
• Perform other related tasks as required or assigned.
• Make frequent reports to the Director of Residential Programs on client service progress and other required written reports.
• Provide 24/7 on‑call services (rotating) and respond in person when necessary.
• Provide individualized education to teen parents regarding developmental expectations, health and safety issues, and infant/child bonding.
• Assist clients in obtaining daycare, WIC, child immunizations, medical records, and Head Start.
• Assess and monitor safety and well‑being of children living with clients and make recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement and services.
• Provide case management services to clients in residential settings when assigned.

Monitoring

• Maintain required training hours per local, state, and federal regulations.
• Monitor goals and objectives in the Individual Service Plan and Single Case Plan.
• Track performance indicators/outcomes for each resident.
• Ensure youth understand placement requirements and gather feedback.
• Ensure all city, state, county, and funding requirements and standards are met.

Intake

• Consult and collaborate with Philadelphia County DHS Central Referral Unit (CRU) to coordinate intake/admission.
• Maintain full capacity for residential programs.
• Maintain contact with CRU staff and manage waiting list of potential residents.

Communication

• Communicate daily with Director of Residential Program, Lead Support Aides, and Support Aides regarding current and potential residents.
• Communicate effectively with outside agency affiliates to assure program expectations are met.
• Regularly communicate with DHS CRU, Achieving Independence Center (AIC), CUA case managers, juvenile probation, court system, public defender’s office, child advocates, and other stakeholders to receive residents for admission and collaborate on discharge planning.
• Communicate with DHS, CUAs, and other stakeholders when a resident is ready to move to another level of care.
• Complete and maintain all relevant information for residents and compliance.

Networking

• Maintain contact with consumers, referral sources, court agents, and internal/external resources.
• Maintain weekly and, when appropriate, more frequent client face‑to‑face contact through required dorm and office visits.
• Engage resistant clients in services.
• Provide outreach to clients, family members, and other significant people in the client’s life to maintain contact and develop resources.
• Maintain required contact with relevant family members, assess their needs, and build relationships between client and family.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Documentation

• Complete all pre‑placement paperwork.
• Complete required admission/intake and discharge paperwork (placement and discharge memos, census reports).
• Complete Individual Service Plans (ISP), Quarterly Progress Reports, and Discharge Summaries according to regulations.
• Maintain a daily contact log and weekly contact reports with residents.
• Document all contacts involved in the child’s placement and maintain confidential case record.
• Maintain current data related to program goals and outcomes for residents.

Basic Skill Sets

• Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
• Ability to assess consumer treatment needs and apply appropriate therapeutic intervention.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from consumers and collateral agencies.
• Ability to accurately calculate figures such as addition, subtraction, and percentages.
• Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
• Working knowledge of the Child Welfare system and ability to navigate other systems.
• Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
• Proficiency with computers and pertinent software programs.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Excellent working knowledge of the Behavioral Health system.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree preferred in social work, child welfare, or related field; minimum Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Service, or related area required.

• Experience: 5 years in child welfare, juvenile justice, or related social service field.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma‑informed practice.
• Developed working knowledge of community parenting resources and maintains close relationships with these resources.
• Demonstrated understanding of Positive Youth Development.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.

Physical Capabilities and Work Environment

• Ability to walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to operate a computer.
• Current valid driver’s license and willingness to transport children per regulations.
• Requires flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Trauma‑Informed Principles

Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, non‑violence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma‑informed principles to create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.

• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences.
• Apply person‑first, strengths‑based language: Focus on people’s strengths rather than defining them by challenges.

Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations

Americans with Disabilities: We recognize the importance of accommodations for individuals with disabilities and will assess accommodations on a case‑by‑case basis to meet essential functions of this position.

Discrimination is prohibited in employment, promotion, assignment, or dismissal on the basis of race, religion, color, age, sex, national or origin, handicap, or receipt of services for mental disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.