FOSTER CARE CASE WORKER

Shelter Youth & Family Services•Arlington Heights, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Foster Care Case Worker is responsible for the provision of client services to Foster Care clients. This includes supervision of clients, assessment, referral, and coordination of services to high-risk families in need of social services, and the maintenance of client services in compliance with the Department of Family Services' rules and regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in human services field required from an accredited school.
Must meet Child Care Facility Driver requirements in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Must pass CWEL Exam and Permanency Foundation courses as required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Must have a valid driver's license, a reliable automobile, adequate automobile insurance and good driving record.
Must become certified in CPR, First Aid and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) within six months of employment date.
Must complete a Medical and T.B. test providing proof of results.
Must be fingerprinted by the State of Illinois and must submit to a full Background Check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Must submit official academic transcripts from the last school in which a degree was awarded.
Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Experience in child welfare or related field preferred.
Master's Degree in Social Work desired.

Responsibilities

As part of a team, the Foster Care Case Manager provides direct individual and family casework services to facilitate healing through trauma informed services and community-based connections.
Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills, flexible and organized. Proficient use of computer knowledge. Ability to learn DCFS programming.
Provides support and education to enhance parenting skills and to prepare youth for self-sufficiency upon emancipation.
Continuous assessment and service planning for assigned clients that adequately and appropriately address the client/family's unique service needs.
Implements client service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor and DCFS as required.
Demonstrates insight regarding client strengths and needs. Can incorporate this into service planning and assessment.
Assesses and monitors the safety of clients in current living arrangement and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement.
Assesses permanency options; recommends permanency plan for clients; and implements plan to achieve permanency for clients.
As part of a team, the Foster Care Case Manager develops a working knowledge of community resources to use in serving clients and maintains a productive working relationship with these providers.
Provides referrals and linkages to appropriate resources; secures all written agreements in accordance with DCFS guidelines.
Responds in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours) all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients.
Provide court testimony, develop reports, participate in administrative case reviews, host child and family team meetings, maintain case files.
Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services, as well as required written reports.
Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records and data as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services. Case notes should be entered within 48 hours.
Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony.
Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services.
Maintains client face-to-face contact through a required number of home and community visits.
Provides continuous outreach to client, family members and other significant people in the client's life to maintain relationships.
Plans, coordinates and supervise required family or sibling visits. Models appropriate adult/child interactions at all times.
Always acts in a professional manner and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments consistent with client service plan.
Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.