What is a Life Enrichment Coach in the Senior Resource Center? It’s helping older adults in our community reconnect with what they love, showing them a path to feeling seen again, and giving them the tools to get the pep back in their step. If coaching seniors to live their best lives would give you professional fulfillment, this position might be a great match.
The Life Enrichment Coach at Family Service will work with seniors using the PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives) framework. PEARLS is an evidence-based approach to treating mild–to–moderate depression symptoms in older adults. You will be the person who coaches senior clients in their homes, which gives you an opportunity to get to know them and understand their unique challenges; you will accompany them on their journey to a new level of well-being.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
Delivering the PEARLS program to Seniors
You’ll assess older adults for the PEARLS program and then deliver the program’s content to your clients in their homes (or in a third place of their choosing, such as the library or coffee shop). Part of this process includes creating, updating, and documenting their care plan electronically. You will act as your clients’ advocate, working with our Aging Navigators and Family Caregiver Advocates to connect them with organizations and services they need.
Documenting Your Work
You will keep accurate case notes, particularly electronically, documenting progress, following up on referrals, and keeping track of other administrative details (mileage, daily schedules, timesheets).
Representing Family Service in the Community
You’ll be the face of Family Service at community events, especially when you introduce other groups and organizations to PEARLS and its benefit to the seniors they associate with. You’ll get the word out by connecting with other aging network professionals in our service area; you’ll also disseminate materials about PEARLS and the Life Enrichment Coaching program. Finally, you’ll find opportunities to talk one-on-one with seniors about the program’s benefits so as to enroll them directly.
Being an Essential Teammate and Liaison
Family Service has two departments you’ll be working with: The Senior Resource Center and the Counseling Center. You’ll report to the Counseling Center director, and you’ll work with members of the Senior Resource Center to ensure that every senior you work with is connected with the right resources and opportunities to live their best lives. As a key member of our team, you’ll be involved with conversations across the agency, as well as participate in meetings and trainings. We have a robust training program that will include InformUSA, Options Counseling, and SAGE Care. (Don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with those; Family Service is a great place to learn.)
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or other related social service or community health field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable representing an organization in public settings and one-on-one with community members
- Ability to work independently, manage your time, and balance multiple priorities
- Genuine warmth and respect for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and circumstances
- Basic data entry skills
Preferred Qualifications
- At least one year of casework experience
- Existing connections within the Champaign-Urbana social services community
- Bilingual a plus
You must also be able to pass a background check.
Any individual who is the subject of a pending investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services for child abuse or neglect, or who has been the subject of an indicated abuse or neglect report which has not subsequently been overturned on appeal, is not eligible for employment at Family Service. Current investigation by or substantiation of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation by an adult protective services agency also disqualifies a person for employment at Family Service until and unless allegations are found to be unsubstantiated.
THE FAMILY SERVICE CULTURE
Family Service has a culture that is reflected in our name: We are both family-focused (both the families we serve and the families we are from), and we pride ourselves on being strongly service-oriented. We are cultivating a workplace that is humble and diligent, a place where you can enjoy your coworkers, be proud of your impact, and always look for new and better ways to enhance our community. We train our people thoroughly and consider ourselves a training ground for being the best humanity has to offer. If you are looking for a position in an organization that values kindness, fresh ideas, hard work, and going the extra mile to help our clients and our community, Family Service might be the place for you. (Of course, we’re an Equal Opportunity Employer.)
THE PACKAGE
- $23.00hr, 37.5 hours per week
- 12 paid holidays
- Paid time off after 90 days — can accrue up to 200 hours
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement for community travel
- Fantastic work-life balance
- Great work mission: you will genuinely make a difference here
- Family Service is an institution with an excellent reputation as an employer
- We’re evolving from a local to a regional nonprofit. Things are moving fast, and it’s exciting.
Work location: In person at 405 South State Street, Champaign, IL
If we’re describing you, let’s get the ball rolling. Send a résumé and cover letter in PDF format to [email protected].
Pay: From $23.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
