Parent Peer Specialist: Family Reunification Coach

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance

Paid time off

11 paid holidays

403(b) plan

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible hours

Dayforce Wallet on-demand pay

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois seeks a Family Support Specialist to engage parents, assess needs, and support reunification efforts with a collaborative FT team. The role includes developing whole-family plans and delivering services in person or virtually.

The position emphasizes organizing GenerationPMTO groups, coordinating parent-child visits, and timely documentation. A valid driver’s license and transportation are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s degree in human services or related field preferred.
• Certified in GenerationPMTO or available to participate in GenerationPMTO training and certification.
• Real-life experience with the child welfare system and/or parenting experience.
• Demonstrated ability to engage parents, including organizing and leading groups, both in person and via virtual platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Excellent organization and computer skills with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provides immediate engagement with parents to assess and support them in reunifying the family.
• Participates in developing an individualized whole family treatment plan, with the FT team, child and family.
• Recruits for, organizes, and leads GenerationPMTO groups, ensuring parent engagement.
• Sets up, coaches, and supervises ongoing contact and visits between the parent and child(ren).
• Organize and lead ongoing support groups.
• Complete and submit all required reports and documentation accurately and timely.

Skills

Parent engagement

Group leadership

Verbal and written communication

Organization and planning

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Associate’s degree in human services or related field

GenerationPMTO certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 $15-$18/Hourly.
• 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:

• Provides immediate engagement with parents to assess and support them in reunifying the family.
• Participates in developing an individualized whole family treatment plan, in conjunction with FT team, child and family.
• Recruits for, organizes, and leads GenerationPMTO groups, ensuring that each parent engages in the groups, learn new skills and incorporate the practices with their family.
• Sets up, coaches, and supervises, when needed, ongoing contact and visits between the parent and their child(ren), including but not limited to virtual calls, in person activities and regular parenting tasks, such as school, medical, dental.
• Organize and lead ongoing support groups.
• Complete and submit all required reports, tracking information and documentation accurately and timely as required by the agency and funding sources.
• 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:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s degree in human services or a related field preferred.
• Certified in GenerationPMTO or available to participate in GenerationPMTO training and certification.\Real-life experience with the child welfare system and/or parenting experience.
• Demonstrated ability to engage parents, including organizing and leading groups, both in person and via virtual platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner, verbally and written.
• Excellent organization, presentation and pc/computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.
• Background check clearance, both criminal and CANTS required.
• Valid driver’s license, in good standing for the state of residency required.
• Access to reliable transportation required.
• Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury and property damage required.