Child Welfare Specialist

Casa Central•Chicago, IL

57d

About The Position

Under the direction of a Team Supervisor, this position is responsible for providing comprehensive home-based case management services to assigned families with the goal of promoting safety, wellbeing and stability, in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) requirements and Intact Family Services and Family First Prevention Services Act.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited college or university and one year of social service experience required or a Bachelor’ degree in a related human services field from an accredited college or university and two years of social service experience required.
Must successfully complete the IDCFS Foundation training and pass Intact Specialty exams, to obtain child welfare licensure.
COMPUTER LITERACY IS REQUIRED. MUST BE PROFICIENT IN THE USE OF MICROSOFT OFFICE APPLICATIONS INCLUDING OUTLOOK, WORD, PUBLISHER AND EXCEL, TO ENTER AND RETRIEVE DATA AS NEEDED.
COLLEGE-LEVEL MATH SKILLS ARE REQUIRED. MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCURATELY PREPARE AND ANALYZE DATA, INCLUDING FISCAL AND STATISTICAL REPORTS.
MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR, VALID ILLINOIS DRIVER’S LICENSE AND INSURANCE IN ORDER TO CONDUCT REGULAR IN-HOME VISITATION.
MUST DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE RELATIONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
PROFESSIONAL IMAGE AND PRESENTATION EXPECTED, AT ALL TIMES.
MUST POSSESS EXCEPTIONAL TIME MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS.
MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO OTHER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR STATE AS PART OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS, CONFERENCES OR OTHER EVENTS.
A PERSONAL CELLPHONE IS REQUIRED, AND MUST BE ABLE TO RESPOND DURING WORKING AND NON-WORKING HOURS.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducts thorough intakes and comprehensive psychosocial assessments of newly enrolled participants, ensuring that participants receive all required intake/enrollment documentation.
Ensures that participants understand all program policies and procedures related to their participation in services. Promptly responds to new IFS referrals by participating in the supervisory hand-off and transitional visit within the specified timeframe.
Within the first 5 working days completes a safety and family risk assessment on all assigned family cases. Within the first 40 days completes an integrated assessment and a Child Adolescent Needs Assessment (CANS) on all assigned family cases, which informs and supports the development of a comprehensive, individualized family service plan.
Within 45 days develops a comprehensive, individualized family service plan, in collaboration with the assigned family, which addresses (assessment) needs related to safety, wellbeing and stability.
Ensures that family service plans reflect specific issues/needs, all service planning activities/goals and clear timelines for achieving service goals. Collaborates with families to regularly evaluate and/or modify service plans, to address any issues or barriers affecting progress toward service goals.
Establishes and maintains professional, positive and collaborative relationships with assigned families and engages regularly with them to ensure quality service coordination and effective communication. Regularly consults with Supervisor regarding participant issues to support problem resolution and to encourage full engagement by participants in services.
Provides case management services to an average of 10-12 families, under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. Conducts weekly or twice a month face-to-face home visits to monitor the well-being of the families, review service provision activities and to ensure the well-being and safety of the children.
When managing a mandated court-involved family case, must appear in court in order to testify in proceedings regarding the progress of the family. Prepares progress reports, as required, under the guidance of the supervisor.
Prepares for and attends school staffing and other family-related meetings, as required. When necessary, transports or arranges transportation for participants to facilitate their participation in services, as outlined in family service plans.
In consultation with supervisor, makes recommendations to DCFS or court personnel, as needed.
Responds in a timely manner to case-related emergencies during evenings or weekends if needed.
May perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor to support service delivery.
Maintains an awareness of community resources appropriate to child, youth and family needs, and makes proper use of these resources through referral and follow-up. In consultation with supervisor, refers participants (children and/or caregivers) to other, appropriate social service providers and community partners to adequately address participant’s’ service needs. Maintains regular contact with community partners and other service providers and advocates when needed, to support participants’ service goals. Ensures a timely and effective referral and linkage process, on behalf of participants.
Documents all case management activities in a timely manner using approved forms/database.
Maintains accurate, comprehensive and updated case activity/entry notes in SACWIS, to reflect all direct and indirect services provided, including all interventions and contacts with participants, collateral family members, significant others and other service providers. Maintains participants’ files in full accordance with IDCFS and agency/program requirements. Maintains and submits monthly caseload statistics or other relevant reports as required by program.
Demonstrates knowledge of Intact Family program requirements, COA accreditation best practice standards and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Rules and Procedures, Part 302.388 Intact Family Services and Family First Prevention Services Act. Adheres to agency policies and procedures, best practice standards and funder requirements. Incorporates the agency mission, philosophy, and core values into direct daily work and decision-making. Is actively involved and knowledgeable of the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement process.
Fosters positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and community partners. Cultivates a professional and respectful work environment. Actively participates in weekly supervision, staff meetings, mandatory DCFS trainings, and other professional development training as needed to enhance knowledge and skills.
Submits personal time sheets and ensures compliance with agency and funder guidelines. Accountable for daily activities within the allowable activities approved by the agency.
Promptly reports situations that pose a threat to staff, participants, or agency, according to the agency’s Incident/Accident Reporting system.