Child Welfare Specialist

Little City Foundation•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Child Welfare Specialist initiates, facilitates, and performs casework functions related to foster care and adoption within the Illinois child welfare system. The role supports the safety, well-being, and permanency of children assigned to the specialist’s caseload, working toward reunification with biological or extended family when appropriate, or another suitable placement when family reunification is not an option. The position serves children ages 0–21 from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, or behavioral or emotional disorders. The blended, weighted caseload is approximately 10 clients; the agency caseload ratio is 15:1 or less, with approximately 25 or fewer visits per month. Children served reside in foster homes within a 45-mile radius of the Chicago administrative office. The specialist assesses children’s ongoing safety and well-being through regular in-person visits, coordinates services and treatment planning, supports children and families, maintains case records, and collaborates with foster parents, biological family members, service providers, courts, DCFS, and agency staff. The position includes court attendance and testimony, after-hours on-call coverage, transportation for some visits, and regular meetings and supervision. Home visits and family contacts often take place after school or during evening hours on weekdays; occasional weekend visits may occur. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and a valid Illinois Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL), or eligibility to obtain licensure within the first 90 days of employment. Applicants must have strong communication and computer skills, and their own vehicle with valid auto insurance. The role involves physical activity, including the ability to assist with lifting up to 50 pounds, operate a motor vehicle, and perform CPR and CPI. The work environment is residential, with noise levels ranging from normal to loud and possible exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious substances, cleaning agents, and disinfectants. Salary is $54,000–$58,000 per year, depending on experience and education.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
Must be under the supervision of a qualified child welfare supervisor.
Must hold an Illinois Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) or be eligible to receive licensure within the first 90 days of employment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Computer proficiency, including entering case-related documentation into a centralized database.
Must have a personal vehicle and valid auto insurance.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to perform CPR and CPI.
Ability to assist with lifting up to 50 pounds, with varying amounts of assistance, on a recurring basis.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including prolonged sitting, walking, and standing; frequent grasping, lifting, holding, or feeling objects; and occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
Corrected vision and hearing within normal range.

Nice To Haves

One year of relevant experience working with children with developmental, behavioral, and/or emotional challenges.

Responsibilities

Manage a blended, weighted caseload of approximately 10 clients and conduct required visits and case contacts.
Assess the ongoing safety and well-being of children in foster homes through three in-person contacts per month, including two visits in the home each month.
Monitor children’s safety and well-being through visits and collateral contacts with schools, medical providers, day cares, courts, and other community providers.
Provide clinical support, monitor care and licensing standards, address concerns in the foster home, and help obtain appropriate services.
Complete assessments and treatment planning, including CANS assessments, service plans, case reviews, Social History/Integrated Assessments, and other applicable assessments.
Maintain ongoing contact with biological parents, provide counsel and training, and support reunification when consistent with the court-set goal and case plan.
Provide or coordinate services and a minimum of weekly parent-child visitation; provide transportation for parents or children when needed.
Ensure sibling visits occur at the required frequency and duration, and provide transportation when needed.
Maintain children’s case files and required documentation in compliance with DCFS, federal, state, and agency requirements.
Complete comprehensive monthly case notes in SACWIS by the fifth of each month.
Provide emergency after-hours on-call coverage at least once every six to eight weeks for a full week, including phone consultation and possible in-person intervention.
Participate in continuous quality improvement and maintain records in accordance with program, DCFS, and CARF standards.
Follow DCFS policies and procedures and applicable laws, rules, and agency policies.
Collaborate with program and agency staff, DCFS, and collateral providers.
Schedule and lead quarterly Child and Family Team Meetings, document meeting minutes, and share them with participants.
Participate in regular supervision, program meetings, agency meetings, and external meetings with community partners.
Attend juvenile court hearings, represent the child’s best interests, provide accurate testimony, and submit court reports and supporting documentation.
Advocate for children’s educational needs by visiting their schools at least twice per year and attending IEP and disciplinary meetings.
Represent Little City Foundation professionally in internal and external interactions.
Follow workplace safety practices and promptly report accidents and hazards.
Complete required Little City Foundation and DCFS training and retraining.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.