Specialized Foster Care Case Manager

Caritas Family Solutions•Effingham, IL

13h

About The Position

The Specialized Foster Home Resource Manager recruits, licenses, monitors, and supports specialized foster homes. The role helps ensure that specialized youth are safe and stable and are placed in therapeutically appropriate homes able to meet their behavioral, medical, developmental, and emotional needs. The position is in the Foster Care Department and may be based in Mt. Vernon, Effingham, or Highland, Illinois. It is full-time and exempt, reports to a Specialized Foster Home Resource Manager, and has a starting compensation of $60,900 annually.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human services; related fields will be considered.
At least 2 years of experience as a foster home licensing specialist or in child welfare.
CWEL certification.
Passing grade on the Exam for Rule 402.
Passing grade on the Exam for Child Welfare Act.
Strong written and verbal communication, active listening, organization, documentation accuracy, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain case records and comply with agency, DCFS, and court documentation requirements.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with children, parents, caregivers, service providers, attorneys, educators, medical professionals, and community partners.
Professionalism, empathy, collaboration, and effective interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to assess family functioning, identify safety concerns and barriers to family stability, exercise sound judgment, and make timely decisions supporting child safety and family preservation.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and respond effectively to changing situations.
Computer proficiency in Outlook, Word, database management software, electronic case management systems, and virtual communication platforms.
Ability to coordinate services, manage a caseload, connect families to community resources, monitor service delivery, and ensure compliance with timelines and program expectations.
Ability to complete assessments, develop service plans, maintain case records, prepare court-related documentation, and use case management systems effectively.
Willingness to adopt trauma-informed interventions, principles, and practices and commitment to ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care.
Ability to recognize the impact of trauma on children, families, staff, and communities and incorporate trauma-informed principles into service planning, case management, and family engagement.
Access to reliable transportation and a reliable automobile.
Proof of continued automobile insurance.
Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive home studies, safety assessments, and background checks for specialized foster home applicants.
Prepare detailed licensing reports, corrective action plans, and renewal documentation.
Monitor specialized foster homes through scheduled and unannounced visits.
Ensure compliance with state and federal licensing standards, agency policies, and accreditation requirements.
Coach, train, and provide hands-on assistance to caregivers on trauma-informed care, behavioral management, and crisis response.
Collaborate with the treatment team to develop and implement individualized support plans for foster families to promote placement success.
Participate in multidisciplinary team or child and family team meetings to facilitate connections among families, supports, and collateral resources.
Serve as a subject-matter expert on specialized foster care licensing standards and best practices.
Represent specialized foster care programs in internal and external workgroups, committees, and community partnerships.
Develop and implement targeted recruitment strategies to attract caregivers able to support children with high-level needs.
Facilitate orientation sessions and pre-service training for prospective caregivers.
Perform additional duties as assigned.