Family Finding and Resource Specialist

Who we are

Lawrence Hall is a Chicago-based nonprofit social services agency that provides therapeutic wellness and skill development services to youth families and neighborhoods affected by lasting trauma.

Our Foster Care team plays a critical role in helping children find safety healing and long-term stability. We work across Traditional Specialized and Adolescent Foster Care to reunify families or support successful transitions into long-term homes and life-long connections.

About the Role

Help young people build lasting support networks. As a Foster Care Recruitment & Family Finding Specialist youll play a key role in helping youth in foster care connect with relatives fictive kin and other trusted adults who can offer stability and love. Youll also support recruitment and training of foster parents while partnering closely with caseworkers to expand placement options for youth with complex needs.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is compassionate creative and detail-oriented-with the investigative curiosity to find and engage family members and the relational skills to build trust with youth and caregivers. Youll work in the field attend events conduct diligent searches and contribute directly to improved permanency outcomes.

In this role you will:

• Conduct outreach investigation and research to locate family/fictive kin
• Interview families and assess placement potential and support systems
• Use genograms ecomaps social media and databases to identify connections
• Serve as a liaison for youth transitioning to new placements
• Support foster family recruitment through targeted outreach and events
• Assist with training and guiding potential foster parents and relatives
• Collaborate with caseworkers family teams and community providers
• Maintain accurate documentation correspondence and case tracking in SACWIS
• Apply trauma-informed family-centered and equity-based practices in all work
• Understand implicit bias and its role in placement decisions
• Attend meetings trainings and community engagement events as needed

Who were looking for

Required:

• Bachelors degree in Social Work Human Services Criminal Justice or Communications
• Valid drivers license (IL/IN/WI) reliable transportation and proof of insurance
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen
• Strong communication organizational and problem-solving skills

Preferred:

• Experience locating individuals conducting outreach or investigative work
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and youth with specialized needs
• Experience using strength-based trauma-informed practices
• Familiarity with foster care systems SACWIS and child welfare processes
• Comfort engaging with diverse communities and conducting in-home assessments

Additional Information

This position is based out of our Stewart campus (400 W 76th Street Chicago IL 60620) with local travel across Chicago and surrounding counties for outreach meetings or family assessments. Typical hours are Monday to Friday 9am5pm with occasional evenings or weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $47800$53000/year based on experience.
• Average of 1725 days PTO 9 holidays
• Medical dental and vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Free life insurance (2x salary)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Referral bonus up to $1500

How to Apply

Submit your application here. We look forward to learning more about you!

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

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Following job offer acceptance all new hires are required to complete a background check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Individuals who have lived outside of Illinois may also be subject to out-of-state checks which can take up to eight weeks to process. While these checks are pending candidates should continue completing all other pre-boarding requirements. Employment may begin once all pre-boarding steps are complete and DCFS clearance has been received.