Foster Care Case Worker

JOB TITLE: Foster Care Case Worker

REPORTS TO: Foster Care Supervisor and Foster Care Director

LOCATION: 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. The Foster Care Case Worker is responsible for the provision of client services to Foster Care clients, including supervision of clients, assessment, referral, and coordination of services to high-risk families in need of social services, and maintaining client services in compliance with the Department of Family Services rules and regulations.

An applicant who speaks Spanish as well as English 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
• Provide 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 address the client/family's unique service needs
• Implement client service plans, monitor service plan progress, and review progress with supervisor and DCFS as required
• Demonstrate insight regarding client strengths and needs and incorporate this into service planning and assessment
• Assess and monitor the safety of clients in their current living arrangement and make needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement
• Assess permanency options; recommend permanency plan and implement the plan to achieve permanency for clients
• Develop knowledge of community resources and maintain productive working relationships with providers
• Provide referrals and linkages to appropriate resources; secure written agreements in accordance with DCFS guidelines
• Respond in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email, and phone inquiries regarding clients
• Coordinate with courts, DCFS, and other service providers or community organizations to coordinate client services or make referrals
• Provide frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services and required written reports
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely client records and data as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services
• Report client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports and accurate verbal testimony
• Report all possible critical and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required
• Maintain client face-to-face contact through a required number of home and community visits
• Provide continuous outreach to client, family members, and other significant people in the client’s life to maintain relationships
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise required family or sibling visits
• Model appropriate adult/child interactions at all times
• Act professionally and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients
• Demonstrate accountability for results and keep commitments consistent with the client service plan
• Report to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities as scheduled
• Demonstrate openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned

The Case Worker shall be supervised by and accountable to the Foster Care Supervisor and Director.

Hours and days shall be scheduled by the Foster Care Supervisor and Director.

• Bachelor's Degree in a human services field from an accredited school;
  Master's Degree in Social Work preferred with previous experience in foster care or related work experience desired
• Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English and Spanish
• Must meet Child Care Facility Driver requirements in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
• Must pass CWEL Exam and Permanency Foundation courses as required by Illinois DCFS
• Must have a valid driver’s license, an automobile and adequate automobile insurance
• Must become certified in CPR and First Aid within six months of employment
• Must complete a Medical and TB test…