Child Welfare Specialist

Join to apply for the Child Welfare Specialist role at Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois

$52,416 - $57,416

Effective Date: March 1, 2024

Job Title: Child Welfare Specialist

Exempt/Non-exempt: EXEMPT

Immediate Supervisor: Program Manager

Benefits:  to view LCFS’ Full-Time Employee Benefits.

• Primarily responsible for overseeing children and families assigned to Lutheran Child and Family Services for providing child welfare services which includes monitoring the child’s well‑being, the birth parents’ progress towards reunification, facilitating home visits and communicating appropriate information to foster families in their efforts to assist the child and birth parents. Transport child and parents at times in own vehicle. May work evening and some weekends in order to complete tasks.
  
  May travel to high‑risk communities. Provide on‑call services as assigned.
• Exercises discretion and sound judgment in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules and regulations.
• Implementation and referral of individualized and targeted services for youth and families, such as counseling, respite, mentoring, educational support, case management, crisis intervention, and continual language to services to meet the specialized needs of children/families.
• Collaborate regularly with multi‑disciplinary teams and partners for continuous quality improvement, interventions, service delivery and the achievement of program outcomes.
• Actively participate in System of Care including the regular participation in clinical and medical staffing’s and level of care.
• Actively participate in regular supervision, mediation, problem resolution, and crisis response by effectively responding to parent, child, provider and other stakeholder concerns and demonstrating the ability to effectively manage crisis and difficult case situations. (This includes on‑call support.)
• Assesses and maintains knowledge of child welfare and population specific laws, policies and trends for recommending program adjustments and implementation that aids program effectiveness, children, families and communities.
• Achieve organizational performance outcomes on Key performance indicators metrics/dashboard towards safety, permanency, well‑being and overall agency performance outcomes.
• Represents clients’ needs and Agency interest to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system and governmental agencies.
• Continuously assesses the child’s needs related to safety, education, medical and social and psychological well‑being. Prepares accurate, timely required written, and verbal reports to the court and collateral contact information as appropriate upholding all consents and confidentiality issues. Handles all crisis situations and client complaints with sensitivity and consults with supervisory chain when appropriate to resolve the matter.
• Complies with all requirements regarding utilization of the DCFS electronic record‑keeping system (SACWIS). Prepares written service plans for each client as required by DCFS contract. Maintains up‑to‑date and accurate client files and databases, as required by agency/programmatic policies and procedures, professional standards, and external requirements of all relevant, regulatory, licensing, or accrediting body’s. Implements continuous quality improvement in all aspects of performance.
• Engages the child, the birth parents, and the foster parents in competently assessing the dynamics of the relationships and establishes a therapeutic alliance. Teaches effective parenting skills specific to the needs of the child and family.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources and coordinates appropriate referrals and follow up as needed and required for child, birth parents, and foster parents. Establishes collaborative relationships with agency team members such as Case Aide, other child, welfare, specialists, service, providers, and institutions.
• Provides a welcoming and receptive environment in all contacts with clients, agency, staff and collateral contacts. Develops understanding and continuously develops self‑awareness related to diversity, inclusion, and equity…