Foster Care Case Worker

JOB TITLE

Foster Care Case Worker

Foster Care Supervisor and Foster Care Director

Hybrid – Shelter Youth & Family Services headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL

Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community-based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we have grown into a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma‑informed care in Illinois. With a current budget of $10M and ambitious plans to grow to $15M, our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.
We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities. We welcome bilingual applicants and offer an additional stipend for certification in two languages through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Shelter’s facilities are drug‑ and smoke‑free environments. Learn more at shelter‑inc.org.

The Foster Care Case Worker is responsible for the provision of client services to Foster Care clients. This includes supervision of clients, assessment, referral, and coordination of services to high‑risk families in need of social services, and the maintenance of client services in compliance with the Department of Family Services’ rules and regulations. A Spanish‑speaking applicant is preferred.

• As part of a team, the Foster Care Case Worker provides direct individual and family casework services to facilitate healing through trauma‑informed services and community‑based connections
• Provides support and education to enhance parenting skills and to prepare youth for self‑sufficiency upon emancipation
• Continuous assessment and service planning for assigned clients that adequately and appropriately address the client/family’s unique service needs
• Implements client service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor and DCFS as required
• Demonstrates insight regarding client strengths and needs. Can incorporate this into service planning and assessment
• Assesses and monitors the safety of clients in current living arrangement and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement
• Assesses permanency options; recommends permanency plan for clients; and implements plan to achieve permanency for clients
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources to use in serving clients and maintains a productive working relationship with these providers
• Provides referrals and linkages to appropriate resources; secures all written agreements in accordance with DCFS guidelines
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients
• Contacts courts, DCFS, and other service providers or community organizations to coordinate client services or to make referrals
• Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services, as well as required written reports
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records and data as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth & Family Services
• Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth & Family Services
• Maintains client face‑to‑face contact through a required number of home and community visits
• Provides continuous outreach to client, family members and other significant people in the client’s life to maintain relationships
• Plans, coordinates and supervises required family or sibling visits
• Models appropriate adult/child interactions at all times
• Always acts in a professional manner and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments consistent with client service plan
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related…