Foster Care Caseworker

Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley; Ottawa (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley is seeking a Foster Care Caseworker to manage a caseload of children in placement, ensuring safety and progress toward permanency goals. You will collaborate with families, foster caregivers, and community partners to implement individualized service plans.

Responsibilities include direct services to children, family engagement for reunification, caregiver support, and thorough documentation in compliance with DCFS standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field is required.
• Minimum of two years of relevant human services experience is required.
• Licensing exams must be completed during employment; strong computer skills with MS Office are expected.

Responsibilities

• Maintain consistent contact with children based on service plans and monitor progress.
• Assess and support each child’s emotional, physical, educational, cultural, and social needs.
• Coordinate services with internal programs and external providers; attend court hearings as required.
• Engage families to support reunification or permanency goals and connect them with necessary resources.
• Support foster/placement caregivers and monitor placement stability; provide training resources.

Skills

MS Office proficiency

Cultural sensitivity

Strong communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access)

Job description

Overview

Join Our Team & Make a Lasting Impact in Foster Care!

$1,500 sign-on bonus for individuals without a CWEL.

$3,500 sign-on bonus for individuals with a CWEL.

Are you passionate about supporting children and families? We’re looking for compassionate, dedicated professionals to join our team and help create positive, lasting change in the lives of youth in foster care.

Position Summary

The Foster Care Caseworker manages a caseload of children in placement, ensuring their safety, well-being, and progress toward permanency goals. This role involves working closely with children, their families, foster caregivers, and community partners to implement and monitor individualized service plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field
• Minimum of two years of relevant human services experience
• Successful completion of required licensing exams during employment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) and general computer skills
• Strong cultural awareness, sensitivity, and ability to work effectively with diverse populations

Key Responsibilities

Direct Services – Child in Placement

• Maintain consistent contact with children based on service plans
• Assess and support each child’s emotional, physical, educational, cultural, and social needs
• Monitor adjustment and progress in placement, school, and community
• Coordinate services through internal programs and external providers
• Attend court hearings and administrative reviews as required

Family Engagement – Biological/Natural Family

• Maintain regular communication with families in alignment with service plans
• Conduct assessments and monitor progress toward reunification or permanency goals
• Coordinate and connect families with necessary services and resources
• Facilitate and support family visitation and aftercare services

Foster/Placement Family Support

• Build and maintain strong relationships with foster and relative caregivers
• Support caregivers in meeting the needs of the child
• Monitor placement stability and progress
• Provide training resources and guidance to enhance caregiver effectiveness

Documentation & Professional Collaboration

• Maintain accurate, timely case documentation in compliance with agency and DCFS standards
• Prepare reports and provide court testimony when required
• Collaborate with service providers and advocate for the best interests of children and families
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing evaluations
• Adhere to agency policies and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives

Core Competencies

• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Experience working with children and families
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Self-motivated with a proactive, solution-focused approach

If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference and be part of a supportive, mission-driven team, we encourage you to apply.

*Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley believes that all people deserve inclusivity, fairness, and justice. We believe that both the success of our team and the wellness of our community is strongest by recognizing the qualities that make each person unique, including race, gender, age, sexuality, ability, religion, national origin, gender identity and other identities. The YSB team values and respects each other and our community as we proudly serve.