Child Welfare Specialist

Lawrence Hall Youth Services - Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

Social Assistance

About the position

The Child Welfare Specialist reports to the assigned Foster Care Supervisor and provides comprehensive case management services in Relative and Traditional Foster Care, Specialized Foster Care, or a mixed caseload. This role requires extensive fieldwork, including frequent transportation of young people in either agency or personal vehicles, and the provision of 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, which are deeply embedded within the organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. The Child Welfare Specialist must have flexibility as this position is required to be on-call on a rotating basis.

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.
• Conduct face-to-face in-home contact with foster caretakers as required by contract to monitor the home environment and offer supportive services as needed.
• In cooperation with the family and supervisor, write a comprehensive Client Service Plan and present it at Administrative Case Reviews.
• Attend all Court Hearings and report about the 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, and try to engage parents 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.
• Require 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.
• Complete permanency paperwork/documentation for submission and approval to move young people to permanency.
• Use 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.
• Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength-based approach preferred.
• Personal vehicle or access to a vehicle and proof of insurance.
• Valid Illinois Driver's license.
• No history of child abuse or neglect.