Child Welfare Specialist

WHO WE ARE:

Annually serving over 1400 youth and families Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicagos youth families and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective evidence-based and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center Therapeutic Day School Creative Therapies Foster Care Transitional/Independent Living Program Workforce Development and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicagos communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reports to the assigned Foster Care Supervisor. Provides comprehensive case management services in Relative and Traditional Foster Care Specialized Foster Care or mixed caseload. Must be able to do extensive field work frequently transport young people in agency or personal vehicle and provide 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. These values are deeply embedded within our organizations philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. Child Welfare Specialist must have flexibility as this position is required to be on-call on a rotating basis.

JOB 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
• Face-to-face in-home contact with foster caretakers as required by contract -- to monitor the home environment and to offer supportive services as needed
• In cooperation with the family and supervisor write a comprehensive Client Service Plan and present at Administrative Case Reviews
• Attend all Court Hearings and report about status and progress of each case on caseload
• Maintain regular contact with young peoples 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 try to engage parent/s 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
• Requires 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
• Completes permanency paperwork/documentation for submission and approval to move young people to permanency
• Uses 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
• Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors 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 vehicle and proof of insurance
• Valid Illinois Drivers license
• No history of child abuse or neglect

Benefits and Perks that Support You

• Time Off Benefits (PTO): Employees receive an average of 17-25 days of PTO including vacation paid leave and sick time in addition to 9 paid holidays.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical dental and vision plans are available for employees spouses/domestic partners and child dependents.
• Wellness Reimbursement: Employees can receive up to $20 per month towards wellness-related subscriptions/memberships.
• Retirement Savings: Our 401(k) plan includes a 100% employer match on contributions up to 3% after one year of service.
• Supplemental Insurance: Coverage options include Critical Illness Accident Insurance and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability for employees and their families.
• Life & AD&D Insurance: Full-time employees receive term life insurance equal to twice their salary at no cost.
• Commuter Benefits: Pre-tax options are available to help cover parking and transit expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A free and confidential resource providing support for personal and work-related challenges.
• Employee Referral Program: Employees can earn up to $1500 for referring successful candidates.
• Tuition & Loan Assistance: Lawrence Hall is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the necessary skills and abilities. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not have experience in all areas of essential functions. We look forward to your application.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities skills efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements management reserves the right to modify add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority