Child Welfare Specialist - Bilingual

Job Details

Effective Date
:
March 1, 2024

Job Title
:
Child Welfare Specialist

Exempt/Non-exempt
: EXEMPT

Immediate Supervisor
:
Program Manager

Salary Range
: $52,416 – $57,416

Benefits:  to view LCFS’ Full-Time Employee Benefits.

• Primarily responsible for overseeing children and families assigned to Lutheran Child and Family Services, monitoring child well‑being, birth parents’ progress toward reunification, facilitating home visits, and communicating appropriate information to foster families. Transport child and parents in own vehicle. May work evenings, weekends, and travel to high‑risk communities. Provide on‑call services as assigned.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Implement and refer individualized and targeted services for youth and families, such as counseling, respite, mentoring, educational support, case management, crisis intervention, and language services to meet specialized needs.
• Collaborate regularly with multi‑disciplinary teams and partners for continuous quality improvement, interventions, service delivery, and the achievement of program outcomes.
• Actively participate in System of Care, including regular participation in clinical and medical staffing and level of care.
• Participate in supervision, mediation, problem resolution, and crisis response by effectively responding to parent, child, provider and other stakeholder concerns, demonstrating the ability to manage crisis and difficult case situations (including on‑call support).
• Assess and maintain knowledge of child welfare and population‑specific laws, policies, and trends to recommend program adjustments and implementation that aid program effectiveness.
• Achieve organizational performance outcomes on key performance indicators and metrics/dashboard toward safety, permanency, well‑being, and overall agency performance outcomes.
• Represent clients’ needs and Agency interests to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system, and governmental agencies.
• Continuously assess the child’s needs related to safety, education, medical, and social and psychological well‑being. Prepare accurate, timely required written and verbal reports to the court and collateral contact information as appropriate, upholding all consents and confidentiality issues. Handle all crisis situations and client complaints with sensitivity and consult supervisory chain when appropriate.
• Comply with all requirements regarding utilization of the DCFS electronic record‑keeping system (SACWIS). Prepare written service plans for each client as required by DCFS contract. Maintain up‑to‑date and accurate client files and databases, as required by agency/programmatic policies and procedures, professional standards, and external regulatory or accrediting bodies.
• Engage the child, the birth parents, and the foster parents in assessing the dynamics of the relationships and establish a therapeutic alliance. Teach effective parenting skills specific to the needs of the child and family.
• Maintain knowledge of community resources and coordinate appropriate referrals and follow‑up as needed and required for child, birth, parents, and foster parents. Establish collaborative relationships with agency team members such as Case Aide, other child and welfare specialists, service providers, and institutions.
• Provide a welcoming and receptive environment in all contacts with clients, agency, staff, and collateral contacts. Develop understanding and continuously develop self‑awareness related to diversity, inclusion, and equity issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to drive one’s own vehicle and transport children, youth, and adults as needed.
• In‑depth knowledge of child welfare systems, regulations, and best practices.
• Strong case‑management skills, including assessments, service planning, and progress monitoring.
• Ability to advocate for children’s rights and best interests within the child welfare system.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective interaction with families, children,…