Foster Care Family Support Specialist

One Hope United; Mattoon (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

One Hope United in Mattoon, IL is seeking a Foster Care Family Support Specialist to provide transportation services and administrative support to clients and case managers. The role supports collaboration with DCF, schools, and other partners while ensuring child safety during transports.

The position requires a High School diploma or GED, up to 2 years of transportation experience, and a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. Reliable local knowledge is essential.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Up to 2 years of transportation experience; 1–2 years in a childcare field.
• Reliable transportation with a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record with OHU coverage levels.
• Geographic knowledge of the area.

Responsibilities

• Provides transportation to clients using a personal vehicle (90% of the time).
• Transports children to appointments and locations per referrals.
• Maintain professional communication with coworkers and leadership.
• Respond to emails within 24 hours and calls/texts within the hour.
• Attend weekly and monthly meetings and training sessions as required.
• Submit accurate documentation on services provided and client status.
• Liaise with collaterals such as DCF and schools.
• Shadow an experienced transporter during the first 30 days.
• Submit expense vouchers and keep driver’s license/insurance up to date.
• Ensure child safety during transports.

Skills

Transportation

Courier services

Administrative support

Communication

Documentation

Education

High School diploma/GED

Job description

Position: Foster Care Family Support Specialist

Location: Mattoon, IL

Job Id: 07535

# of Openings: 1

Family Support Specialist

Utilizing personal vehicle, the Family Support Specialist provides transportation services, courier and administrative support to clients, case managers, supervisors, ADOP’s and DOP, agency and its geographical area. Serves as a primary support to the case managers with administrative task.

Job Summary

• Provides approved transportation to clients when requested (drives personal vehicle 90% of the time)
• Transports children to various appointments and locations during hours indicated on the referral form.
• Maintain appropriate and respectful communication with co-workers and leadership.
• Respond to emails within 24 hrs, respond to text or phone calls within the hour from assigned supervisor or leadership.
• Attends and participates in weekly and monthly meetings with staff and training sessions as required by the specific job or department
• Observes and submits accurate written documentation on the service provided and the functioning of individuals and families as required by specific job or department
• Serves as a liaison with collaterals such as DCF, schools, etc.
• Shadows an experienced transporter within the first 30 days of hire.
• Submits expense vouchers, renewed driver’s license, and automobile insurance coverage on due date
• Communicate any barriers to completing any request immediately to ensure other arrangements can be made. This should be communicated via email, text or face to face with the assigned supervisor.
• Works cooperatively with other agencies, caseworkers, transporters, and family support services
• Works in collaboration with Office Assistant and fellow Family Support Specialist to ensure the needs of the agency and clients are met for transportation; coordinates with assigned supervisor, client and caregivers to facilitate the transport
• Ensure safety of the child during transports.
• Courier documents to courthouse, agency locations, attorneys or other required areas and obtain signatures of completed deliveries when required.
• Supervise and document parent/child/ visitation. Provide a written summary of the visit to the assigned case manager supervisor within 48 hrs of the visit. Immediately report any child safety concerns to the supervisor.
• Maintain mileage log and documentation reports in a timely manner to receive authorized travel reimbursement for services provided.
• Assist in file maintenance when requested, this will include preparing documents to be filed in the physical case file.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move a 25 lb child in a car seat

Required Qualifications

Education

High School diploma/GED

Experience

up to 2years’ experience with transportation; 1-2 years in a childcare field

Other

Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance; geographic knowledge of the area

We Invest in You!

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per fiscal year Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days, up to 6 paid Personal Days, 1 paid Mental Health Day, and up to 5 paid Sick days annually Medical, dental, vision, 403 (b) retirement, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, dependent care, commuter and transit Agency-paid Life&ADD insurance up to $50K based on salary and short-term disability Agency-paid long-term after 1 year of employment Voluntary Supplemental Life&ADD, Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren) Voluntary Legal Plans Voluntary Pet Insurance Employee Assistance Program with 6 free counseling sessions Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations

A Different Kind of Employer: One Hope United is strong and ready to grow. Are you ready to grow with us?

• 800+ talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois and Florida
• Fiscally stable, $70 Million agency-- strong since 1895
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support

One Hope United does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. One Hope United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. OHU participates in E-Verify.