Child welfare specialist job description

· Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligibility after 90 of FT employment)

· Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings

Mental Health Well-Being:

· Flexible PTO

· Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Well-Being:

· 403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you are contributing.

· Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program

· Access to financial advisors and financial education tools

Career Well-Being:

· Tuition reimbursement options

· Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional development

· Performance reviews, coaching and mentoring

Social Well-Being:

· We believe in bringing people together to celebrate and socialize as a great way to inspire each other and keep our community strong.

· All Staff Meetings

· Yearly Graduation Ceremony

· Celebrate Village Life with opportunities to assist with fundraising and event opportunities

BASIC FUNCTION : Provide services to SOS children and their families in order to achieve the particular case goal as outlined and explained in the client service plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide comprehensive case management services to SOS children, including assessment, referral, placement supervision, service plan formulation and implementation, and appropriate involvement with the SOS and biological families. Act as a partner to Foster Parents in times of need.

2. Maintain complete, accurate, and current service reports on children and families served including timely written case notes, six-month summaries and permanency reports as required and/or requested by DCFS and SOS. Conduct quarterly audits of client files.

3. Ensure that a healthy, safe and secure home environment and a consistency of care is provided to the children, including but not limited to, ensuring that the children received proper medical, dental and emotional care as required.

4. Advise and consult with the Client, Foster Parent and Child Welfare Supervisor to ensure adequate understanding of the case dynamics and the needs of the Client.

5. Coordinate effectively with DCFS and other community agencies for the maximum utilization of available resources to address the service goals of the cases assigned.

6. Work in conjunction with the Child & Family Services Coordinator to develop a working knowledge of community resources which may be used in serving clients and maintain a close working relationship with these resources.

7. Act as a Liaison to the Foster Parent Enrichment Coordinator and Child & Family Services Coordinator within the Spanish speaking communities towards identifying resources and foster parent recruitment.

8. Prepare for and attend required case meetings, ACR’s, court hearings, and staffings.

9. Submit reports as required by Supervisor.

10. Perform on-call duties as needed to carry out the responsibilities as required.

11. Communicate problems and issues within the department to the Child Welfare Supervisor.

12. Complete all mandatory agency and job specific training.

13. Represent SOS in a professional manner to the public and guests.

14. Comply with all SOS policies, state, federal, county and city laws, rules and regulations.

15. Perform other duties as assigned.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Attend general agency staff meetings, in-service education/training,
individual supervision, and other meetings as directed by the Village Director
or Supervisor.

2. Work with Foster and Bio Families and provide support when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or related field.

2. Proficient speaking, reading and writing skills in English and Spanish.

3. One year Child Welfare Experience preferred.

4. DCFS Child Welfare Employee Licensure required.

5. Ability to work with DCFS, courts and other social service systems.

6. Ability to pass DCFS required criminal background check including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS.

7. Valid Illinois driver's license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation.

8. Ability to travel between both Villages and surrounding communities.

9. Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff.

10. Ability to relate to the Agency staff and to the public in a courteous and professional manner.

11. Ability to work in a team environment.

12. Strong communication and organizational skills.

13. Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.

14. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials.

15. Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks.

16. Ability to work flexible hours.

17. Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free environment.

18. Commitment to SOS Children’s Villages Illinois philosophy and mission.

ADA DISCLAIMER/STATEMENT:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Position responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this
position will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Catholic Charities is proud of its 90-plus year history of providing vital social services in our Diocese. Today, we maintain a substantial presence in ten communities throughout the twenty-eight counties of central Illinois. Area Offices operate in the communities of Alton, Carlinville, Decatur, Effingham, Granite City, Mattoon, Quincy, and Springfield. In addition, Catholic Charities manages facilities in Alton (Catholic Children's Home) and Beardstown (The St. Anne Residence). The agency has earned national reaccreditation through COA, the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services, which certifies that all programs meet best practice social service standards.

Our vast array of services include counseling programs, senior services and guardianship, health care, residential care, independent living; special education, emergency shelter care, family preservation services, food and clothing distribution, St. John's Breadline, Meals on Wheels in Decatur, crisis assistance, Med-Assist, Mobile Food Pantry, Catholic Charities Legal Services, The St. Anne Residence and discount resale stores. Catholic Charities seeks to respond to the needs of its communities through these diverse programs. Every year, this objective is realized as literally thousands of children and families are positively impacted by our efforts.

Catholic Charities provides a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package including generous paid time off benefits, pension, and excellent health insurance. As a faith-based ministry, Catholic Charities espouses the social values of the Church and works daily to fulfill the mandate to serve the poor. As a leader in social services, Catholic Charities enjoys a positive community reputation and a myriad of public and private partnerships that help to ensure the needs of our clients are being met.

Job Summary:

Catholic Charities is seeking a full-time caseworker passionate about helping children and families remain together and develop healthy, nurturing relationships. The Intact Family Services program works with families who have come to the attention of DCFS due to a report of abuse and/or neglect. The goal of the program is to keep the family unit “intact,” rather than placing the children in the foster care system. The caseworker and the family work together to develop a service plan that addresses the identified concerns and to enhance overall family functioning. Caseworkers help families engage in meaningful services to address these concerns, such as: domestic violence, substance use, environmental/housing instability, mental health, parenting techniques/discipline, budgeting, and medical and educational well-being of the children.

Detailed Job Description:

Assess the needs of the family and perform general case management duties and interventions related to families in need of child welfare services. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of complex family systems and how to engage families in meaningful services. Receive training in child welfare services, casework, intervention techniques and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. All under direction of a child welfare supervisor.

• Arrange in-home visits with family members and all collaterals involved in each case
• Provide conflict resolution when problems arise
• Observe family interactions and functioning
• Document all casework activity
• Develop service plans
• Provide training and education to parents
• Attend court, as needed, and provide all requested documents

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or closely related field
• Professional oral and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information
• Ability to work some evenings
• Must possess excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must possess knowledge and understanding of family systems and area social service resources
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and meet criteria of our auto insurance carrier

Benefits:

• 403 (b) and Roth IRA options with employer contribution
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Very generous PTO benefits
• 14 ½ paid holidays
• Flexible schedule, with hybrid remote work options
• Family-friendly work environment

• Ten (10) days of vacation earned during the first year of employment and twenty (20) days of vacation earned during the second year of employment,
• Twelve (12) sick days earned each year,
• Eleven (11) paid holidays ,
• Agency contributions of 8% calculated on bi-weekly earnings to a 403(b) Thrift Plan ( retirement plan ) upon meeting plan eligibility criteria,
• An option of two health plans , one with a Health Savings Account benefit that includes employer contributions and wellness incentive credits,
• Dental insurance,
• Vision insurance ( 100% employer-paid premiums if enrolled in the dental insurance pla n ),
• Options of employee-paid premiums for supplemental insurance offered through AFLAC , and
• A Tuition Aide program.

Foster Care - Child Welfare Specialist Performance Objectives:

• Formulating a preliminary and tentative assessment of clients' functions and reviewing appropriate information with the Supervisor to develop an effective case plan/treatment plan commensurate with the clients' needs.
• Maintaining case records, submitting required reports, providing statistical data, etc., in accordance with the agency's expectations.
• Meeting regularly with the Supervisor to discuss clinical issues, issues surrounding service delivery, and critical issues requiring supervisory consent or referral source authority.
• Developing and utilizing knowledge of agency and community resources appropriate to established case plans, and assessing the usefulness to individual client's needs.
• Being readily accessible to his/her clients for meetings according to their schedule or contract requirements at client-convenient times of the day or night.

Foster Care - Child Welfare Specialist Qualifications:

• Possess a Bachelor's Degree in social work or a human services field,
• Have two (2) years of social service experience,
• Have the ability to fulfill all of the regulatory requirements for employees of Child Welfare Agencies as are prescribed in Illinois Administrative Rule and Procedure, including successful completion of required background checks, and certification as a driver of children by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services,
• Have the ability to provide own transportation in performing job requirements, including a valid driver's license and acceptable insurance coverage,
• Maintain a flexible schedule in response to program needs or caseload assignments (the Child Welfare Specialist must be available outside of normal business hours, including some evenings and weekends, to assist families in meeting goals or in responding to crisis),
• Have sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in the community,
• Be able to lift 30 lbs,
• Be able to carry car seats to and from the office and children's home, and
• Be able to physically attend to young children and infants.

To learn more about the foster care programs and services provided by Bethany for Children & Families, visit our website at and click on Services, Child Welfare Services, Foster Care and Licensing.

Come join our team and help make a difference in the lives of area children & families!

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