Masters, Child Welfare Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dayforce Wallet

Competitive salary

Career advancement

Healthcare

Paid time off

Paid holidays

403(b) plan

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible hours

Paid training

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is hiring a full-time Master’s Child Welfare Specialist in Rockford to provide comprehensive foster care and adoption services for children and families per state mandates and agency policies.

Requires a Master’s in social work or related field, state licensure, and at least one year of relevant experience. Collaboration with courts, schools, and providers is essential for permanency outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related human services field required.
• State licensing/certification as required by Illinois agencies, including DCFS & DMH.
• Minimum of one year of related experience.
• Background check clearance required.
• Training in KEEP and/or GenerationsPMTO or willingness to participate.
• CCS Bootcamp and Client-Centered Service Planning training completed.

Responsibilities

• Provide and coordinate a continuum of case management services to achieve permanency for children within family or approved foster/adoptive placements.
• Execute the written service plan and engage families in the process.
• Complete and submit reports, documentation, and billing accurately and timely.
• Respond to client emergencies 24/7, attend court hearings and ACRs.
• Meet productivity requirements set by Program Director or designee.
• Coordinate with schools, service providers, and healthcare facilities to promote child well-being.
• Communicate status with supervisor and collateral agencies.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and integrity in all interactions.

Skills

Excellent communication

Empathy & cultural sensitivity

Organization

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), is a leading not-for-profit organization providing healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities. For over 150 years, LSSI has made a difference in the lives of children and families, and we're still a strong, viable presence in the State of Illinois, continuing that commitment to making a difference. LSSI is hiring a full-time Master's Child Welfare Specialist, Monday through Friday. Responsible for providing the full range of foster care and/or adoption services to children and families within state mandates, juvenile court directions, COA standards, program plans, and agency policy.

Benefits And Perks

LSSI is growing! Come be a part of this rewarding environment, and enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping make a positive difference in the lives of others, as well as these career advantages:

• On Demand Flexible Paydays for earned wages through an app called Dayforce Wallet.
• Competitive salary based upon relevant education, experience, and licensure.
• Salary $60,000-$67,000/Annually.
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package for Full-time employees includes healthcare insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, sick time, 403(b) plan, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.
• The paid training you need to learn, grow, and succeed!

Essential Functions

• Provide and coordinate a continuum of case management services on all levels of the child welfare system designed to achieve permanency for children within their family of origin, extended family, or a foster/adoptive family within the policies and procedures of the agency, accreditation agency, and regulatory agency.
• Perform all tasks as required in the written service plan that is based upon the comprehensive, integrated assessment being certain to engage children and families in the process.
• Complete and submit all reports, documentation, and billing accurately and timely as required by the agency and funding sources.
• Respond in person to client emergencies 24-hours-a-day, attend court hearings, and ACRs.
• Ensure productivity requirements established by the Program Director or designee are met.
• Participate in the supervisory process for guidance, direction support, and approval of decision-making, assessment, service planning, and intervention. Present cases for staffing and conduct family-child meetings.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other service providers, schools, and health care facilities to promote the child(ren)’s well-being.
• Communicate with supervisor, work group, and collateral agencies regarding children’s and/or family’s status.
• Demonstrate professional, positive behavior and carry out responsibilities with integrity, treating clients, families, other LSSI workforce members, and collaborative organizations and/or individual in a dignified, respectful, honest, and fair manner.

Position Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or other related human services field required.
• State licensing/certification as required by the State of Illinois and regulatory agencies, including Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Mental Health.
• Background check clearance, both criminal and CANTS required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of related experience required.
• Training in KEEP and/or GenerationsPMTO or availability to participate in training, coaching and fidelity to certification once hired required.
• Successful completion of CCS Bootcamp required.
• Successful completion of Client-Centered Service Planning and Aftercare Planning Training required.
• Successful completion of four (4) of the following required: LSS I/COY Trauma Training Client-Centered Specialized Casework Training DCFS Adoption & Guardianship Training Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Training Reunifying Families Training DCFS: Child and Family Meeting Training
• Excellent organization, presentation, and pc/computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensive manner, verbally and written.
• Capacity to understand and empathize with the cultural, psychological, and practical needs of the clients that the agency serves.
• Valid driver’s license in good standing required for the state of residency.
• Access to reliable transportation for meetings, home visits, and to transport clients as needed.
• Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury, and property damage required.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.