Permanency Achievement Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dayforce Wallet on demand pay

Healthcare insurance

Up to 26 days PTO

11 paid holidays

Sick time

403(b) plan

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible hours

Paid training

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is hiring for a social services position with a strong emphasis on kinship, adoption support, and permanency planning. The role partners with families and DCFS to secure resources and ensure timely process completion.

The position offers competitive benefits, flexible hours, and training opportunities to help you grow professionally while delivering critical services to children and families in Illinois.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field is required.
• CWEL preferred.
• Experience with children with special needs preferred; experience or training in Reunification, Adoption and Sub-Guardianship preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills; proficient in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Assist the worker and facilitate linkages to community resources to prepare the home of parent.
• Assist the worker with post adoption, Guardianship connection to the DCFS unit prior to finalization.
• Work to secure additional service resources to expedite permanency.
• When reunification is not possible, assist in listing children for adoption with Greenlight or Adoption Registry.
• Assist with home study documentation to begin Adoption or Sub Guardianship subsidy process.
• Submit, monitor, and follow up with subsidy packet needs for DCFS approval.
• Support ICPC documentation for out-of-state permanency options and coordinate with receiving state.

Skills

Communication skills

Engagement with families

Microsoft Office

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

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 $58,000-$61,000/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:

• Assist the worker and facilitate linkages to community resources to prepare the home of parent.
• Assist the worker with post adoption, Guardianship connection to the DCFS unit prior to finalization.
• Work to secure additional service resources in a timely manner to expedite permanency.
• When reunification is not possible, assist the worker in listing children for adoption with Greenlight or the applicable Adoption Registry.
• Assist the worker to complete required documentation and home study to begin the Adoption or Sub Guardianship subsidy process.
• Submit, monitor, and follow up with the needs of the subsidy packet pending DCFS approval.
• Support the worker with completion of ICPC documentation to IDCFS needed for out of state permanency options for children with relatives and licensed potential adoptive families, and work with the receiving state to eliminate barriers.
• 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:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, or another related human service field required.
• Background check clearance, both criminal and CANTS and be able to pass State of Illinois examination on Licensing Standards for Foster Family Homes (402), the Child Care Act required.
• CWEL preferred.
• Experience working with children with special needs preferred, as well as experience or training in Reunification, Adoption and Sub-Guardianship required.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with families.
• Proficient in the use of a computer to complete all documentation required to complete all duties required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner, verbally and written.
• Experience relating to others, influencing people, and making decisions preferred.
• Excellent communication, organization, presentation, and pc/computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.
• Valid driver's license, in good standing for the state of residency required.
• Access to reliable transportation for visits, meetings and to transport clients as needed.
• Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury, and property damage required.