Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
Specialized Services Child Welfare Specialist
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, Vernon, Illinois, United States, 62892
Overview
JOB TITLE:
Specialized Services Child Welfare Specialist (S-CWS)
REPORTS TO:
Specialized Services Program Manager
STATUS:
Full Time, Exempt
Benefits:
View LCFS’ Full-Time Employee Benefits
Salary Range:
51,336 - 56,336
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 of which cases are assigned. Opportunities currently available in O'Fallon and Mt. Vernon.
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
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 to have safe, healthy and meaningful lives. The role collaborates with youth, identified caregivers and families to ensure youth in the Illinois foster care system with medical, mental health issues or multiple placements receive appropriate supports. The goals include:
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 lifelong supports, connections, safety, stability and permanency
Youth-led strength building, pro-social life skills opportunities, behavior and medical adaptability, empowerment
Essential Roles And Responsibilities (non-exhaustive)
Serve with a team of supervisors and direct service professionals to assess, plan, evaluate and link safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for youth and families
Implement and refer individualized and targeted services (e.g., counseling, respite, mentoring, educational support, case management, crisis intervention) and tailor services to meet specialized needs
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and partners for quality improvement, service delivery and program outcomes
Participate in System of Care principles to ensure coordinated, youth-focused, family-centered services with regular clinical and medical staffing
Engage in supervision, mediation, problem resolution and crisis response; on-call support as needed
Assess and maintain knowledge of child welfare laws, policies and trends; recommend program adjustments as appropriate
Achieve organizational performance outcomes on KPIs related to safety, permanency, well-being and overall agency performance
Represent clients’ needs to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system and governmental agencies
Exercise discretion and judgment in duties under supervision and in conformance with policies and regulations
Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position
Additional Child Welfare Specialist Essential Functions
Oversee children and families assigned to LCFS for child welfare services; monitor well-being, progress toward reunification, facilitate home visits and communicate with foster families; may transport in own vehicle; may work evenings and some weekends; may travel to high-risk communities
Continuously assess safety, education, medical and psychosocial well-being; prepare reports for court; handle crises with supervision as needed
Ensure compliance with DCFS SACWIS; prepare service plans; maintain up-to-date client files; engage in continuous quality improvement
Maintain regular communication with supervisor; notify significant issues impacting youth safety and well-being
Engage the child, birth parents and foster parents; teach effective parenting skills
Maintain knowledge of community resources; establish collaborative relationships with team members and service providers
Correlate service plan outcomes with safety determinations; ensure appropriate expenditures
Stay informed of changing regulations and participate in required training
Provide a welcoming environment and promote diversity, inclusion and equity
Knowledge And Abilities
Knowledge of risk and safety assessment and development of safety plans
Ability to write clear, actionable feedback for reports
Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, treatment methodologies and crisis intervention
Knowledge of readiness for change, grief, development, and trauma impact
Understanding of confidentiality and the role of a change agent
Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong verbal, facilitation and written communication skills
Ability to train and mentor others; participate in organization-wide training (minimum 15 hours annually)
Respect for diversity and SOGIE; ability to work with diverse populations
Ability to collaborate with a diverse workforce; cultural and socioeconomic awareness
Proficiency with computer software including Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams
Ability to travel and work flexible hours
Qualifications - Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in a related human services 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 preferred.
Physical and Special Demands While performing duties, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit; may stand, walk, use hands, reach, and operate standard office equipment. May lift up to 15 pounds. Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle required. Some travel to LCFS offices and service areas across Illinois.
Compensation And Benefits Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. LCFS offers health and dental insurance, 10 paid holidays, generous PTO/ vacation/sick time, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement program and performance-based bonus potential.
Additional Details Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at LCFS. Locations referenced include Vernon, IL; Gurnee, IL; Carol Stream, Palatine, Arlington Heights, and other Illinois locations. Roles listed are for context and reflect current openings and salaries as of posting.
Employment Type
Full-time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Individual and Family Services
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Specialized Services Child Welfare Specialist (S-CWS)
REPORTS TO:
Specialized Services Program Manager
STATUS:
Full Time, Exempt
Benefits:
View LCFS’ Full-Time Employee Benefits
Salary Range:
51,336 - 56,336
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 of which cases are assigned. Opportunities currently available in O'Fallon and Mt. Vernon.
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
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 to have safe, healthy and meaningful lives. The role collaborates with youth, identified caregivers and families to ensure youth in the Illinois foster care system with medical, mental health issues or multiple placements receive appropriate supports. The goals include:
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 lifelong supports, connections, safety, stability and permanency
Youth-led strength building, pro-social life skills opportunities, behavior and medical adaptability, empowerment
Essential Roles And Responsibilities (non-exhaustive)
Serve with a team of supervisors and direct service professionals to assess, plan, evaluate and link safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for youth and families
Implement and refer individualized and targeted services (e.g., counseling, respite, mentoring, educational support, case management, crisis intervention) and tailor services to meet specialized needs
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and partners for quality improvement, service delivery and program outcomes
Participate in System of Care principles to ensure coordinated, youth-focused, family-centered services with regular clinical and medical staffing
Engage in supervision, mediation, problem resolution and crisis response; on-call support as needed
Assess and maintain knowledge of child welfare laws, policies and trends; recommend program adjustments as appropriate
Achieve organizational performance outcomes on KPIs related to safety, permanency, well-being and overall agency performance
Represent clients’ needs to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system and governmental agencies
Exercise discretion and judgment in duties under supervision and in conformance with policies and regulations
Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position
Additional Child Welfare Specialist Essential Functions
Oversee children and families assigned to LCFS for child welfare services; monitor well-being, progress toward reunification, facilitate home visits and communicate with foster families; may transport in own vehicle; may work evenings and some weekends; may travel to high-risk communities
Continuously assess safety, education, medical and psychosocial well-being; prepare reports for court; handle crises with supervision as needed
Ensure compliance with DCFS SACWIS; prepare service plans; maintain up-to-date client files; engage in continuous quality improvement
Maintain regular communication with supervisor; notify significant issues impacting youth safety and well-being
Engage the child, birth parents and foster parents; teach effective parenting skills
Maintain knowledge of community resources; establish collaborative relationships with team members and service providers
Correlate service plan outcomes with safety determinations; ensure appropriate expenditures
Stay informed of changing regulations and participate in required training
Provide a welcoming environment and promote diversity, inclusion and equity
Knowledge And Abilities
Knowledge of risk and safety assessment and development of safety plans
Ability to write clear, actionable feedback for reports
Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, treatment methodologies and crisis intervention
Knowledge of readiness for change, grief, development, and trauma impact
Understanding of confidentiality and the role of a change agent
Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong verbal, facilitation and written communication skills
Ability to train and mentor others; participate in organization-wide training (minimum 15 hours annually)
Respect for diversity and SOGIE; ability to work with diverse populations
Ability to collaborate with a diverse workforce; cultural and socioeconomic awareness
Proficiency with computer software including Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams
Ability to travel and work flexible hours
Qualifications - Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in a related human services 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 preferred.
Physical and Special Demands While performing duties, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit; may stand, walk, use hands, reach, and operate standard office equipment. May lift up to 15 pounds. Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle required. Some travel to LCFS offices and service areas across Illinois.
Compensation And Benefits Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. LCFS offers health and dental insurance, 10 paid holidays, generous PTO/ vacation/sick time, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement program and performance-based bonus potential.
Additional Details Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at LCFS. Locations referenced include Vernon, IL; Gurnee, IL; Carol Stream, Palatine, Arlington Heights, and other Illinois locations. Roles listed are for context and reflect current openings and salaries as of posting.
Employment Type
Full-time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Individual and Family Services
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