About the Role
We are seeking a Child Welfare Specialist to initiate, facilitate, and perform casework functions pertaining to foster care and adoption within the Illinois child welfare system, ensuring the safety, well-being, and permanency of every child on the assigned caseload.
Key Responsibilities
- Initiate, facilitate, and perform a variety of casework-related functions pertaining to foster care and adoption within the child welfare system in Illinois
- Perform all casework ensuring the safety, well-being, and permanency of the children assigned to the caseload
- Engage in assessment and treatment planning, including CANS assessments and Service Plans, with plans updated 2x/year
- Complete comprehensive case review documents required by federally mandated Administrative Case Reviews (ACR)
- Attend court hearings that occur at least every six months (or more frequently for status updates or as detailed by the Court) and represent the child’s best interest in juvenile court
- Advocate for the youth in care by visiting the child at school at least twice per year to monitor the appropriateness of the school setting, and attend all individual education plan (IEP) meetings and disciplinary meetings
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
- Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) in the state of Illinois, or eligible to receive licensure within the first 90 days of employment
- Valid driver’s license and auto insurance
Preferred Qualifications
- One year of relevant experience working with children with developmental, behavioral, and/or emotional challenges
Compensation & Benefits
- $45,000.00 – $58,000.00 Salary/year
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- 401(k) and Roth 401(k) retirement plans with employer match
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Life insurance, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage
- Paid holidays and paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time)
- Employee assistance program
