Specialized Foster Care Case Manager

Caritas Family Solutions • Highland, IL

9h

About The Position

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

The position conducts home studies, safety assessments, and background checks; prepares licensing and renewal documentation; and monitors foster homes for compliance with state and federal standards, agency policies, and accreditation requirements. It provides coaching, training, and practical assistance to caregivers, collaborates with treatment teams to develop support plans, and participates in multidisciplinary and child and family team meetings. The role also provides subject-matter expertise, represents specialized foster care in workgroups and community partnerships, and develops recruitment strategies and pre-service training for prospective caregivers.

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, make timely decisions, prioritize responsibilities, and respond to changing situations.
• Proficiency with 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.
• 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 treatment teams to develop and implement individualized support plans for foster families to promote placement success.
• Participate in multidisciplinary 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.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• Paid training.
• Health insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 403(b) with a 5% company contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

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