Child Welfare Specialist

Job Description

Overview

Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois

Effective Date: March 1, 2024

Job Title: Child Welfare Specialist

Exempt/Non-exempt: EXEMPT

Immediate Supervisor: Program Manager

Salary Range: $52,416 - 57,416

Benefits: LCFS Full-Time Employee Benefits (details available from LCFS).

Essential Functions:

• 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 in own vehicle. May work evenings and some weekends to complete tasks. May travel to high-risk communities. Provide on-call services as assigned.


• Exercise 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 achievement of program outcomes.


• Actively participate in System of Care including regular participation in clinical and medical staffing 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 (including on-call support).


• Assess and maintain knowledge of child welfare and population-specific laws, policies and trends for recommending program adjustments and implementation that aides 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.


• Represent clients’ needs and Agency interests to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system and governmental agencies.


• Continuously assess the child’s needs related to safety, education, medical and social and psychological well-being. Prepare accurate, timely written and verbal reports to the court and collateral contact information as appropriate, upholding all consents and confidentiality issues. Handle crisis situations and client complaints with sensitivity and consult with supervisory chain when appropriate to resolve the matter.


• Comply with requirements regarding utilization of the DCFS electronic record-keeping system (SACWIS). Prepare written service plans for each client as required by DCFS contract. Maintain 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 bodies. Implement continuous quality improvement in all aspects of performance.


• Engage the child, the birth parents, and the foster parents in assessing the dynamics of the relationships and establish a therapeutic alliance. Teach effective parenting skills specific to the needs of the child and family.


• Maintain knowledge of community resources and coordinate appropriate referrals and follow up as needed. Establish collaborative relationships with agency team members (e.g., Case Aide, other child welfare specialists, service providers, and institutions).


• Provide a welcoming and receptive environment in all contacts with clients, agency staff and collateral contacts. Develop understanding and continuously develop self-awareness related to diversity, inclusion, and equity issues.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to drive one’s own vehicle and transport children, youth, and adults as needed.


• In-depth knowledge of child welfare systems, regulations, and best practices.


• Strong case management skills, including assessments, service planning, and progress monitoring.


• Ability to advocate for children’s rights and best interests within the child welfare system.


• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective interaction with families, children, professionals, and agencies.


• Ability to provide crisis intervention and support to children and families facing challenging circumstances.

Background and Driving Requirements:

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required background checks, including but not limited to criminal background checks and CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System) checks, as required by law and agency policy. Candidates must also possess a reliable vehicle and have a valid driver’s license and must not have had a suspended or revoked driver’s license within the past three years.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s in a related human services field with 1 year of related experience in child welfare, case management, or a related role, with a demonstrated track record of expertise in specialized child and family services. A Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) in IL is required. (Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in English and Spanish preferred.)

Physical Demands and Other Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties listed in the job description satisfactorily. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, or controls; reach with hands and arms. Capable of operating standard office equipment, including a computer and keyboard, calculator, typical business machines such as a fax machine and copier. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to have valid driver’s license, auto insurance and must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. The work environment characteristics include a noise level which is usually low to moderate.

Position Responsibilities/Program Execution and Decision Making:

• Diversity and Inclusion/ Professionalism: In all aspects of their work presents as a role model to others, behaving in a way which actively supports LCFS as a welcoming community, promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and collaborates with others to further equity and dismantle barriers to a more inclusive experience of the community. Participates in annual professional development and/or advocacy regarding inclusion.


• Ethical Conduct: Follows all ethics policies and procedures related to program execution and decision making as defined by the agency as well as any related professional licensing, regulatory or accrediting body. Maintains confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information. Reports any known or suspected breaches of confidentiality in accordance with policy. Reports possible misconduct or relevant errors/oversight in a timely manner and responsibly addresses related issues with chain of command.


• Communication/ Interpersonal Skills: Consistently conveys clear, accurate, timely, and respectful communication appropriate for the situation. Informs appropriate management staff when incident occurs or a crisis situation. Maintains professional boundaries with clients/residents, staff, interns, volunteers, and vendors. Able to successfully share skills and concepts with others and works effectively with others under time and environmental pressures.


• Safety and Agency Resource Utilization: Demonstrates sound judgement and foresight in safety awareness and in daily work. Notifies, in a timely manner, the supervisory chain of any incidents or circumstances that need attention. Reports all suspicions or allegations of abuse immediately to their supervisor. Ensures appropriate utilization of materials and resources and minimizes waste.


• Other Responsibilities: All other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

LCFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer