Subsidy Support Specialist

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Subsidy Support Specialist. Under general supervision, this position will provide professional child welfare adoption and subsidized guardianship services to pre and post adoption and subsidized guardianship families. The position will identify children appropriate for adoption/guardianship and conduct assessments and home studies to determine the suitability of prospective adoptive homes.

This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring that children and youth find their forever home. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong communication skills. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois

• Serves as Subsidy Support Specialist
• Prepares and counsels birth parents and adoptive families regarding placement or conversion to adoption or subsidized guardianship
• Prepares and maintains necessary case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services
• Maintains case files to ensure the presence of requisite legal documents, including court orders, financial or subsidy agreements, home studies, investigations and background checks, assessments, and diagnostic/medical reports
• Responds to informational requests regarding adoption services and shares expertise in adoption with child welfare staff in both public and private delivery systems (i.e., CPS/CWS staff, new workers, Adoption Preservation program staff, etc.)
• Reviews billings and contracts regarding adoption and guardianship assistance cases for accuracy of information
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

• Preferably requires a master’s degree in social work;
• OR a master’s degree in a related human service field, supplemented by one year of directly related professional casework/case management experience;
• OR requires a bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional casework/case management experience;
• OR requires a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field and two years of directly related professional casework/case management experience.
• The college or university issuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree must be accredited, and the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education. The directly related professional casework/case management experience must be related to family preservation, family reunification, adoption, youth development, counseling, and advocacy services or a related field.

This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

• Requires a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus. As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work…