Foster Care Supervisor

One Hope United•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Foster Care Supervisor oversees foster care casework and staff, supporting case planning, client safety, permanency, service quality, and program outcomes. The role reviews referrals and decides whether to accept them, supervises professional and paraprofessional staff, reviews their documentation, and provides staff training, ongoing support, and professional development. The supervisor also oversees interns and completes performance appraisals. The position ensures that case files, client contacts, billing, expenditures, and services comply with funding-source policies, contractual obligations, budgets, and program requirements. It manages case assignments and a 24-hour response system, handles complaints and grievances, and provides direct service when assigned staff are unavailable. The supervisor may occasionally transport youth and families to case-related appointments and performs duties independently. The role participates in court hearings, case reviews, meetings, trainings, community groups, and public speaking engagements. It also completes outcome reports and works with Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) to develop documentation and improve programming. One Hope United describes itself as an agency with more than 800 professionals serving children and families in Illinois and Florida.

Requirements

MSW or MA degree required.
Three years of progressively responsible experience related to social services required.
Clinical license required for CBFS.
Required licensure: LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, CWEL, CERAP, and Placement Specialty.
Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record, with auto insurance coverage meeting OHU requirements.
Proficiency with computers in a Microsoft Windows environment and ability to learn additional software applications.
Strong organization and flexibility; ability to manage multiple priorities and projects and meet tight deadlines.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Project management, organizational, analytical, and presentation skills.
Ability to respond promptly to customer needs and solicit feedback to improve services.
Resourcefulness in researching issues and developing solutions with minimal supervision.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, documentation, and listening skills.
Ability to build professional relationships and use problem-solving techniques.
Ability to coach, manage, and develop team members.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Review client intake information and determine whether to accept referrals.
Oversee case responsibilities and guide case planning.
Staff cases with appropriate staff weekly, or less frequently when warranted.
Supervise professional and paraprofessional staff on therapeutic approaches with clients.
Review written documents generated by staff.
Attend court hearings, case reviews, staffing, and other meetings as needed.
Review funding-source policies and procedures and train staff on their implementation.
Work with staff to ensure permanency for clients.
Ensure required documents are maintained in case files.
Ensure staff respond promptly and effectively to unusual incidents.
Participate in collateral and community groups to promote agency programs and build community connections.
Complete required outcome reports and participate in meetings and trainings with funding sources.
Provide staff training, education, supervision, and support, and encourage professional development.
Monitor program expenditures for compliance with budget constraints.
Ensure adherence to funding-source contractual obligations and accurate, timely billing; complete billing for private contracts when necessary.
Handle client, staff, caretaker, and collateral complaints and grievances.
Conduct regular staff unit meetings and participate in public speaking engagements, agency management meetings, and work groups.
Assist CQI with developing agency documentation that enhances programming and meets funding-source requirements.
Promote quality of service and achievement of program outcome goals.
Provide direct service to children and families when assigned staff are absent.
Manage a 24-hour response system for referral intake and/or client emergencies.
Manage case assignments to balance caseloads and maintain required staff-to-client ratios.
Ensure client contact and minimum monthly contact hours meet program guidelines.
Ensure staff monitor child and client safety and respond appropriately to risks.
Complete and submit performance appraisals on time and maintain a positive organizational culture.
Occasionally transport youth and families to court hearings, school, medical, or other case-related appointments.
Oversee interns and perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Tuition assistance up to $2,500 per fiscal year.
Up to four weeks of paid vacation, up to six paid personal days, one paid mental health day, and up to five paid sick days annually.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
403(b) retirement plan.
Flexible spending accounts, health savings account, dependent care benefits, and commuter and transit benefits.
Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance up to $50,000 based on salary, and short-term disability coverage.
Agency-paid long-term disability coverage after one year of employment.
Voluntary supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage for employees and their families.
Voluntary legal plans and pet insurance.
Employee Assistance Program with six free counseling sessions.
Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities.
Free LCSW and LCPC supervision hours available in some locations.