Specialized Services Child Welfare Specialist
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, Decatur, Illinois, United States, 62523
Overview
JOB TITLE:
Specialized Services Child Welfare Specialist (S-CWS) REPORTS TO:
Specialized Services Program Manager STATUS:
Full Time, Exempt Benefits:
LCFS Full-Time Employee Benefits (link provided in original posting) Salary Range:
$52,416 - $57,416 OFFICE LOCATION:
The office location will be based on the office nearest to the candidate’s residency. Travel is required across the 102 IL counties. This is generally in the county where the office is located and the surrounding counties for work-related responsibilities. Opportunities currently available in Chicago, Oakbrook, Joliet and Kankakee. What We Do Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois improves the well-being of people across the state by protecting children, strengthening families and building futures for those who have experienced trauma. LCFS is a welcoming organization serving children, individuals, families and communities of all faiths, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender expressions and gender identifications. Who We Are Champions in supporting children, youth and families throughout Illinois so they are able to reach their full potential Dynamic and innovative leaders who believe in collaboration with their team of professionals and are revolutionizing the impact on services to families A community which embraces and is committed to being WIDE (welcoming, inclusive, diverse and equitable) Impacts of the child welfare community by addressing institutional racism and implicit bias to increase positive outcomes for children and families of color Creators of culture focused on supporting families and ensuring all children find safe, loving permanent homes, particularly by reuniting them with their families Objectives of the Position Under the direction of organizational leadership, the Specialized Services CWS is part of the child welfare team that achieves LCFS vision for all children and families having the opportunity for safe, healthy and meaningful lives. This role collaborates with a child welfare team consisting of child welfare specialists, medical and mental health personnel to build relationships, supports, partnerships and strengths amongst the youth, their identified caregivers and families to ensure youth who are involved in the Illinois foster care system and who have a history of medical, mental health issues and/or multiple placements, delinquency or other level needs. The goals of the role are to ensure: Safety, permanency and well-being Successful and sustainable transitions and maintenance in the least restrictive arrangements Intensive wraparound and case coordination services for social, emotional and physical well-being Natural and formal life-long supports, connections, safety, stability and permanency Supportive youth-led strength building, positive development, pro-social life skills opportunities, behavior and medical adaptability, skills and empowerment Essential Roles and Responsibilities
(non-exhaustive list) Serve with a team of supervisors and direct service child welfare professionals in partnership with children, parents and community providers to assess, plan, evaluate and make linkages for safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes Implementation and referral of individualized and targeted services for youth and families, such as counseling, respite, mentoring, educational support, case management, crisis intervention, and tailored services to meet the specialized needs of children and families Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and partners for continuous quality improvement, interventions, service delivery and achievement of program outcomes Participate in System of Care principles to include ensuring provision of social/emotional/mental/behavioral health services; regular participation in clinical and medical staffing and level of care eligibility/maintenance reviews Participate in regular supervision, mediation, problem resolution, and crisis response by effectively responding to parent, child, provider and stakeholder concerns; includes on-call support Assess and maintain knowledge of child welfare laws, policies and trends for recommending program adjustments and implementation that enhance program effectiveness for children, families and communities Achieve organizational performance outcomes on Key Performance Indicators towards safety, permanency, well-being and agency performance Represent clients’ needs and Agency interests to referral sources, DCFS, judicial system and governmental agencies Exercise discretion and judgment (under supervision) in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies and regulations Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of duties described above Additional Child Welfare Specialist Essential Functions
Oversee children and families assigned to LCFS for child welfare services, monitor well-being, birth parents’ progress toward reunification, facilitate home visits and communicate information to foster families; may transport with own vehicle; some evenings/weekends; possible travel to high-risk communities Continuously assess safety, education, medical and psychosocial well-being; prepare required reports for court and collateral contacts; handle crisis situations and client concerns with supervision as appropriate Comply with DCFS SACWIS requirements; prepare service plans; maintain accurate client files and databases; contribute to continuous quality improvement Maintain regular communication with supervisor about case issues and significant developments affecting youth safety and well-being Engage the child, birth parents and foster parents, assess relationship dynamics and establish therapeutic alliance; teach effective parenting skills Maintain knowledge of community resources; coordinate referrals and follow-up; establish collaborative relationships with agency teams Correlate service plan outcomes with interventions to meet the needs of the child and birth parents Ensure expenditures are appropriate per policy and DCFS guidelines and report expenditures timely Keep up with changing regulations and attend required trainings Provide a welcoming environment; develop understanding of diversity, inclusion and equity issues Knowledge And Abilities
Knowledge of risk and safety assessment and development of safety plans to reduce risk Ability to prepare clear, actionable feedback for reports or documents Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnosis, treatment methodologies, and crisis intervention for high-risk situations Knowledge of readiness for change, grief, development, and trauma impact Knowledge of confidentiality and the role of a change agent Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong verbal, facilitation and written communication Ability to train and develop others; participate in organizational training and 15 hours of annual specialized youth population training Commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity (SOGIE) Ability to collaborate with a diverse workforce and service populations with cultural sensitivity Proficiency in computer software (Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.) Ability to travel and work flexible hours Background and Driving Requirements
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background checks, including criminal background checks and CANTS checks. Candidates must possess a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and must not have had a suspended or revoked license within the past three years. Qualification-Education & Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a related human service field with 1 year of related experience in child and family casework services. A Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) in IL is highly preferred. Proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred. Physical and Special Demands
The role requires talking or hearing; sitting; occasional standing, walking; use of hands; ability to lift/move up to 15 pounds; vision requirements; travel to agency offices and communities; valid driver’s license and insurance required. LCFS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Compensation And Benefits
Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. LCFS offers health and dental insurance, 10 paid holidays, paid time off/vacation/sick leave, resiliency benefits, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement program and potential performance-based bonuses. LCFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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JOB TITLE:
Specialized Services Child Welfare Specialist (S-CWS) REPORTS TO:
Specialized Services Program Manager STATUS:
Full Time, Exempt Benefits:
LCFS Full-Time Employee Benefits (link provided in original posting) Salary Range:
$52,416 - $57,416 OFFICE LOCATION:
The office location will be based on the office nearest to the candidate’s residency. Travel is required across the 102 IL counties. This is generally in the county where the office is located and the surrounding counties for work-related responsibilities. Opportunities currently available in Chicago, Oakbrook, Joliet and Kankakee. What We Do Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois improves the well-being of people across the state by protecting children, strengthening families and building futures for those who have experienced trauma. LCFS is a welcoming organization serving children, individuals, families and communities of all faiths, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender expressions and gender identifications. Who We Are Champions in supporting children, youth and families throughout Illinois so they are able to reach their full potential Dynamic and innovative leaders who believe in collaboration with their team of professionals and are revolutionizing the impact on services to families A community which embraces and is committed to being WIDE (welcoming, inclusive, diverse and equitable) Impacts of the child welfare community by addressing institutional racism and implicit bias to increase positive outcomes for children and families of color Creators of culture focused on supporting families and ensuring all children find safe, loving permanent homes, particularly by reuniting them with their families Objectives of the Position Under the direction of organizational leadership, the Specialized Services CWS is part of the child welfare team that achieves LCFS vision for all children and families having the opportunity for safe, healthy and meaningful lives. This role collaborates with a child welfare team consisting of child welfare specialists, medical and mental health personnel to build relationships, supports, partnerships and strengths amongst the youth, their identified caregivers and families to ensure youth who are involved in the Illinois foster care system and who have a history of medical, mental health issues and/or multiple placements, delinquency or other level needs. The goals of the role are to ensure: Safety, permanency and well-being Successful and sustainable transitions and maintenance in the least restrictive arrangements Intensive wraparound and case coordination services for social, emotional and physical well-being Natural and formal life-long supports, connections, safety, stability and permanency Supportive youth-led strength building, positive development, pro-social life skills opportunities, behavior and medical adaptability, skills and empowerment Essential Roles and Responsibilities
(non-exhaustive list) Serve with a team of supervisors and direct service child welfare professionals in partnership with children, parents and community providers to assess, plan, evaluate and make linkages for safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes Implementation and referral of individualized and targeted services for youth and families, such as counseling, respite, mentoring, educational support, case management, crisis intervention, and tailored services to meet the specialized needs of children and families Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and partners for continuous quality improvement, interventions, service delivery and achievement of program outcomes Participate in System of Care principles to include ensuring provision of social/emotional/mental/behavioral health services; regular participation in clinical and medical staffing and level of care eligibility/maintenance reviews Participate in regular supervision, mediation, problem resolution, and crisis response by effectively responding to parent, child, provider and stakeholder concerns; includes on-call support Assess and maintain knowledge of child welfare laws, policies and trends for recommending program adjustments and implementation that enhance program effectiveness for children, families and communities Achieve organizational performance outcomes on Key Performance Indicators towards safety, permanency, well-being and agency performance Represent clients’ needs and Agency interests to referral sources, DCFS, judicial system and governmental agencies Exercise discretion and judgment (under supervision) in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies and regulations Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of duties described above Additional Child Welfare Specialist Essential Functions
Oversee children and families assigned to LCFS for child welfare services, monitor well-being, birth parents’ progress toward reunification, facilitate home visits and communicate information to foster families; may transport with own vehicle; some evenings/weekends; possible travel to high-risk communities Continuously assess safety, education, medical and psychosocial well-being; prepare required reports for court and collateral contacts; handle crisis situations and client concerns with supervision as appropriate Comply with DCFS SACWIS requirements; prepare service plans; maintain accurate client files and databases; contribute to continuous quality improvement Maintain regular communication with supervisor about case issues and significant developments affecting youth safety and well-being Engage the child, birth parents and foster parents, assess relationship dynamics and establish therapeutic alliance; teach effective parenting skills Maintain knowledge of community resources; coordinate referrals and follow-up; establish collaborative relationships with agency teams Correlate service plan outcomes with interventions to meet the needs of the child and birth parents Ensure expenditures are appropriate per policy and DCFS guidelines and report expenditures timely Keep up with changing regulations and attend required trainings Provide a welcoming environment; develop understanding of diversity, inclusion and equity issues Knowledge And Abilities
Knowledge of risk and safety assessment and development of safety plans to reduce risk Ability to prepare clear, actionable feedback for reports or documents Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnosis, treatment methodologies, and crisis intervention for high-risk situations Knowledge of readiness for change, grief, development, and trauma impact Knowledge of confidentiality and the role of a change agent Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong verbal, facilitation and written communication Ability to train and develop others; participate in organizational training and 15 hours of annual specialized youth population training Commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity (SOGIE) Ability to collaborate with a diverse workforce and service populations with cultural sensitivity Proficiency in computer software (Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.) Ability to travel and work flexible hours Background and Driving Requirements
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background checks, including criminal background checks and CANTS checks. Candidates must possess a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and must not have had a suspended or revoked license within the past three years. Qualification-Education & Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a related human service field with 1 year of related experience in child and family casework services. A Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) in IL is highly preferred. Proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred. Physical and Special Demands
The role requires talking or hearing; sitting; occasional standing, walking; use of hands; ability to lift/move up to 15 pounds; vision requirements; travel to agency offices and communities; valid driver’s license and insurance required. LCFS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Compensation And Benefits
Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. LCFS offers health and dental insurance, 10 paid holidays, paid time off/vacation/sick leave, resiliency benefits, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement program and potential performance-based bonuses. LCFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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