Reports to the assigned Foster Care Supervisor. Provides comprehensive case management services in Relative and Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care or mixed caseload. Must be able to do extensive field work, frequently transport young people in agency or personal vehicle, and provide all required documentation and reports to Juvenile Court and the Department of Children and Family Services. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. Child Welfare Specialist must have flexibility as this position is required to be on-call on a rotating basis.
Job Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive case management services to children in placement, their families, and foster parents, including placement, visitation, monitoring, service and permanency planning, and coordination of services according to Client Service Plan
Face-to-face in-home contact with foster caretakers as required by contract -- to monitor the home environment and to offer supportive services as needed
In cooperation with the family and supervisor, write a comprehensive Client Service Plan and present at Administrative Case Reviews
Attend all Court Hearings and report about status and progress of each case on caseload
Maintain regular contact with young people's educational, medical and other service providers, follow up with recommendations, and integrate all information to come to well founded conclusions and recommendations regarding each case
Conduct regular diligent searches if the whereabouts of one or both parents are unknown, try to engage parent/s if they are located
Document all case work activity and case information in up-to-date case entry notes. Write and submit timely reports for juvenile court and for administrative case reviews, including making unusual incident and hot-line reports
Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by young people
Provide support to foster parents; comply with all provisions of the Foster Parent Law Implementation Plan
Comply with provisions of Mandated Reporter Status
Be on-call in rotation with other employees
Attend supervision regularly, keep supervisor informed of all case developments, and involve supervisor in any critical decision regarding a case
Keep abreast of changes in D.C.F.S. and Lawrence Hall Policies, Rules and Procedures by attending training and reading written information provided by the Agency
Provide all services to young people according to DCFS and Lawrence Hall Policies, Rules, and Procedures
Completes permanency paperwork/documentation for submission and approval to move young people to permanency
Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in the human services field, preferably in social work
Must have the Child Welfare Employee Licensure at hire or attend the next scheduled Foundations Training Program for licensure, meet the requirements for attendance and conduct, and pass the Licensure Exam including CERAP
Must pass the Foster Care Licensing standards (Rule 402) within three (3) months of employment
Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
Valid Illinois Driver's license
No history of child abuse or neglect
This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt
Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Individual and Family Services
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