FOSTER CARE CASE WORKER

Shelter Youth & Family Services; Arlington Heights (IL); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelter Youth & Family Services is looking for a Foster Care Case Worker to provide direct casework for foster care clients, coordinating services and resources to support families in need. The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice, documentation, and collaboration with DCFS and court systems.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s in human services; a Master’s in Social Work is preferred. The position supports a flexible hybrid schedule, based in Arlington Heights, IL.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in human services field is required.
• Master's Degree in Social Work is desired.
• Experience in child welfare or related field preferred.
• Must meet Child Care Facility Driver requirements per Illinois DCFS.
• CWEL Exam and Permanency Foundation courses as required by DCFS.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct individual and family casework to facilitate healing and trauma-informed services.
• Assess and plan services for high-risk families; coordinate community resources.
• Maintain client records and prepare reports for court proceedings and reviews.
• Provide court testimony and participate in administrative case reviews.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality; ensure safety of clients.

Skills

Driver's license

CPI training

Education

Bachelor's Degree in human services field

Master's Degree in Social Work

Job description

FOSTER CARE CASE WORKER
Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION

The Foster Care Case Worker is responsible for the provision of client services to Foster Care clients. This includes supervision of clients, assessment, referral, and coordination of services to high-risk families in need of social services, and the maintenance of client services in compliance with the Department of Family Services' rules and regulations.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• As part of a team, the Foster Care Case Manager provides direct individual and family casework services to facilitate healing through trauma informed services and community-based connections
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills, flexible and organized. Proficient use of computer knowledge. Ability to learn DCFS programming.
• Provides support and education to enhance parenting skills and to prepare youth for self-sufficiency upon emancipation
• Continuous assessment and service planning for assigned clients that adequately and appropriately address the client/family's unique service needs
• Implements client service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor and DCFS as required
• Demonstrates insight regarding client strengths and needs. Can incorporate this into service planning and assessment
• Assesses and monitors the safety of clients in current living arrangement and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement
• Assesses permanency options; recommends permanency plan for clients; and implements plan to achieve permanency for clients
• As part of a team, the Foster Care Case Manager develops a working knowledge of community resources to use in serving clients and maintains a productive working relationship with these providers
• Provides referrals and linkages to appropriate resources; secures all written agreements in accordance with DCFS guidelines
• Responds in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours) all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients
• Provide court testimony, develop reports, participate in administrative case reviews, host child and family team meetings, maintain case files

3227 N. Wilke Rd Arlington Heights IL 60004 PH: 847.595.0133 Email: [e-mail]
Page 1

• Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services, as well as required written reports
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records and data as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services. Case notes should be entered within 48 hours.
• Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services
• Maintains client face-to-face contact through a required number of home and community visits
• Provides continuous outreach to client, family members and other significant people in the client's life to maintain relationships
• Plans, coordinates and supervise required family or sibling visits. Models appropriate adult/child interactions at all times
• Always acts in a professional manner and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments consistent with client service plan
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Case Worker shall be supervised by and accountable to the Foster Care Supervisor and Director.

HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT

Hours and days shall be scheduled by the Foster Care Supervisor and Director. Required to maintain flexible schedule to meet the needs of clients.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in human services field required from an accredited school.
• Experience in child welfare or related field preferred.
• Master's Degree in Social Work desired.
• Must meet Child Care Facility Driver requirements in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
• Must pass CWEL Exam and Permanency Foundation courses as required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
• Must have a valid driver's license, a reliable automobile, adequate automobile insurance and good driving record.
• Must become certified in CPR, First Aid and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) within six months of employment date.
• Must complete a Medical and T.B. test providing proof of results.
• Must be fingerprinted by the State of Illinois and must submit to a full Background Check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
• Must submit official academic transcripts from the last school in which a degree was awarded.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; and use hands to handle or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, reach with hands or arms. The employee will be working closely with children and families from all different communities we serve. This will require the ability to drive for extended periods of time in rural or urban areas. The employee will need to be able to visit clients in their home setting, which will require the ability to climb stairs to access different living spaces of the client's home to assess for safety concerns. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed at the agency office (twice weekly), courthouse, DCFS office facilities, client's homes, frequently in a company or private vehicle, and at your home (for hybrid positions). Must maintain an insured personal vehicle.

CLASSIFICATION STATUS

This is a non-exempt position.

SALARY

$63,954.00

ABOUT SHELTER

Since 1975, Shelter has been a leader in Chicagoland for providing the emotional and physical care, programs, and services that children need to build safer, healthier, and brighter futures. We are the only agency in the state of Illinois to provide fully comprehensive and community-based services for children and families at risk and in need. Our programs include emergency housing, transitional living, foster care, home visiting, and clinical support services. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Shelter is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities.

3227 N. Wilke Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60004 FAX: [phone] Email: [e-mail]