Foster Parent Support Specialist (IPS)

One Hope United•Kankakee, IL

About The Position

IPS Foster Parent Support Specialist Under the ass-care and realistic expectations associated with the role of a foster parent. General Duties and Responsibilities Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act. The FPSS will provide exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, and other team members. The FPSS will Maintain discretion, as they are entrusted with a client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation. This confidentiality extends to ensuring client data is secure. Reports any exposure to communicable diseases. Submits expense vouchers, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date. The FPSS will ensure weekly filing of all FPSS documents in client files. Conducts frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff, referring case agency and community partners. Participates in frequent agency management meetings and work groups. Position requires lived experience in fostering youth or experience in foster care services Essential Duties and Responsibilities The FSS provides an additional layer of support dedicated to foster caregivers; the individual is a former foster parent who is trained on the impact of trauma and is also trained in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) treatment. The FSS works with IPS clinicians to provide mentorship for new foster caregivers, supporting the collaborative relationship between the IPS clinician and the family. FPSS will consult with the IPS supervisor after receiving a referral from an IPS case manager or clinician. The FPSS participates in IPS provider, school, clinical, and child and family team meetings with caregivers, providing emotional support and understanding along with advocacy with referring case and state agencies and community partners. The FPSS conducts training on DCFS Rules and Procedures related to foster caregiver responsibilities for youth in care. The FPSS conducts training on DCFS caregiver rights and processes associated with those rights. The FPSS provides resources and will model with caregivers Prudent Parenting/Nurturing Parenting Techniques using a trauma/ARC lens. The FPSS advocates for caregivers working with referring agencies and community providers. The FPSS teaches foster caregivers how to advocate for themselves and for youths in their care when they must interface with larger systems. The FPSS participates in quarterly trauma-informed parenting training groups offered by IPS clinicians to caregivers. Assist in the assessment of foster caregivers via the utilization of the Childs and Needs Assessment Tool (CANS). The FPSS will conduct weekly home visits and remote sessions with foster caregivers for the facilitation of services as deemed appropriate. Provide onsite and virtual crisis support to foster caregivers as needed. The FPSS develops and supports monthly foster parent support groups. The FPSS will participate in weekly IPS Check-Ins with all state IPS and FPSS teams. The FPSS will participate in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency training. Performs other related duties as assigned. This list of essential functions is not intended to be exhaustive. One Hope United reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

Requirements

High School Diploma required
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance required
Reliable transportation
DCFS background clearance
Position requires lived experience in fostering youth or experience in foster care services
1 - 3 years of experience in a Foster Parent
parenting training and knowledge of DCFS policies and procedures required

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred
1 - 3 years of experience in childcare work, Social Services, advocacy work with schools/state & private state holders, mentoring, or equivalent combination of education or experience preferred

Responsibilities

Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
Provide exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, and other team members.
Maintain discretion, as they are entrusted with a client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation.
Ensure client data is secure.
Report any exposure to communicable diseases.
Submit expense vouchers, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date.
Ensure weekly filing of all FPSS documents in client files.
Conduct frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff, referring case agency and community partners.
Participate in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
Provide mentorship for new foster caregivers, supporting the collaborative relationship between the IPS clinician and the family.
Consult with the IPS supervisor after receiving a referral from an IPS case manager or clinician.
Participate in IPS provider, school, clinical, and child and family team meetings with caregivers, providing emotional support and understanding along with advocacy with referring case and state agencies and community partners.
Conduct training on DCFS Rules and Procedures related to foster caregiver responsibilities for youth in care.
Conduct training on DCFS caregiver rights and processes associated with those rights.
Provide resources and will model with caregivers Prudent Parenting/Nurturing Parenting Techniques using a trauma/ARC lens.
Advocate for caregivers working with referring agencies and community providers.
Teach foster caregivers how to advocate for themselves and for youths in their care when they must interface with larger systems.
Participate in quarterly trauma-informed parenting training groups offered by IPS clinicians to caregivers.
Assist in the assessment of foster caregivers via the utilization of the Childs and Needs Assessment Tool (CANS).
Conduct weekly home visits and remote sessions with foster caregivers for the facilitation of services as deemed appropriate.
Provide onsite and virtual crisis support to foster caregivers as needed.
Develop and support monthly foster parent support groups.
Participate in weekly IPS Check-Ins with all state IPS and FPSS teams.
Participate in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency training.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days
up to 6 paid Personal Days and up to 5 paid Sick days annually
Medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, health savings account, and short-term disability options
Agency paid life up to $50K based on salary
Voluntary Supplemental Life for Employee, Spouse and Child(ren)
Voluntary Legal Plans
Agency paid long term after 1 year of employment
Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
Discounted child care tuition for OHU employees at our highly rated OHU Child Care facilities
Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations