Parent Specialist, Families Together

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois • Chicago, IL

2d • $63,000 - $70,000

About The Position

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is seeking a Parent Specialist for their Families Together program. This role involves immediate engagement with parents to understand their stories, answer questions, facilitate parent-child contact, and support parents navigating the child welfare system. The specialist will assess physical and behavioral health needs, as well as identify gaps in the family's support system. This position also involves engaging parents in GenerationPMTO and providing ongoing parent support.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field required.
• Background check clearance, both criminal and CANTS required.
• Certified in GenerationPMTO or able to participate in Generation PMTO training and certification required.
• Certified in IM+CANs or able to participate in IM+CANs training and certification required.
• Demonstrated ability to engage parents, including organizing and leading groups both virtually and in person required.
• Strong assessment skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team approach.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner, verbally and written.
• Excellent organization, presentation, and pc/computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.
• Valid driver’s license, in good standing for the state of residency required.
• Access to reliable transportation required.
• Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury, and property damage required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in social work or related filed preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate engagement with parents to assess and support them in reunifying the family.
• Participate in developing an individualized whole family treatment plan, in conjunction with the FT team, child and family.
• Recruit for, organize and lead GenerationPMTO groups, ensuring that each parent engages in the groups, learn new skills and incorporate the practices with their family.
• Set up, coach, and supervise when needed, ongoing contact and visits between the parent(s) and their child(ren), including virtual calls/meetings, in person activities and regular parenting tasks such as school, medical needs, dental needs.
• Organize and lead ongoing support group.
• Complete and submit all required reports, tracking information and documentation accurately and timely as required by agency and funding sources, including completion of written reports detailing client’s progress as required by applicable policies/procedures and/or when required by juvenile court.
• Demonstrate professional, positive behavior and carry out responsibilities with integrity, treating clients, families, other LSSI workforce members, and collaborative organizations and/or individual in a dignified, respectful, honest, and fair manner.

Benefits

• On Demand Flexible Paydays for earned wages through an app called Dayforce Wallet.
• Competitive salary based upon relevant education, experience, and licensure.
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package for Full-Time employees includes healthcare insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, sick time, 403(b) plan, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.
• The paid training you need to learn, grow, and succeed!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level