Foster Care Case Worker (Spanish and English Speaking)

JOB TITLE: Foster Care Case Worker - Bilingual in English and Spanish

REPORTS TO: Foster Care Supervisor and Foster Care Director

LOCATION: Hybrid - Shelter Youth & Family Services headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL

ABOUT SHELTER YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community-based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we've 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.

Shelter Youth & Family Services is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. 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. Our mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and transform communities. Joining us in this role will give you a chance to help fulfill that mission and help the community. Shelter and its facilities are drug and smoke-free environments.

Learn more at shelter-inc.org.

Shelter Youth and Family Services encourages the application of all bilingual applicants to work with our client community. Applicants who can successfully certify their skill level in reading, speaking, and writing in two languages with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may receive an additional salary stipend. Certification testing is set by DCFS.

POSITION OVERVIEW 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 applicant who speaks Spanish as well as English is preferred for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 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
2. Provides support and education to enhance parenting skills and to prepare youth for self-sufficiency upon emancipation
3. Continuous assessment and Service Planning for assigned clients that adequately and appropriately address the client/family's unique service needs
4. Implements client service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor and DCFS as required
5. Demonstrates insight regarding client strengths and needs. Can incorporate this into service planning and assessment
6. Assesses and monitors the safety of clients in current living arrangement and makes any needed recommendations and referrals for appropriate placement
7. Assesses permanency options; recommends permanency plan for clients; and implements plan to achieve permanency for clients
8. As part of a team, the Foster Care Case Worker develops a working knowledge of community resources to use in serving clients and maintains a productive working relationship with these providers
9. Provides referrals and linkages to appropriate resources; secures all written agreements in accordance with DCFS guidelines
10. Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients
11. Contacts courts, DCFS, and other service providers or community organizations to coordinate client services or to make referrals
12. Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services, as well as required written reports
13. Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records and data as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services
14. Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony
15. Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by DCFS and Shelter Youth and Family Services
16. Maintains client face-to-face contact through a required number of home and community visits
17. Provides continuous outreach to client, family members and other significant people in the client's life to maintain relationships
18. Plans, coordinates and supervises required family or sibling visits
19. Models appropriate adult/child interactions at all times
20. Always acts in a professional manner and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients
21. Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments consistent with client service plan
22. Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled
23. Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers
24. Performs other related tasks as required or assigned

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Case Worker shall be supervised by and accountable to the Foster Care Supervisor and Director HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT Hours and days shall be scheduled by the Foster Care Supervisor and Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's Degree in human services field required from an accredited school; Master's Degree in Social Work desired with previous experience in foster care or related work experience desired.
2. Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English and Spanish
3. Must meet Child Care Facility Driver requirements in accordance with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
4. Must pass CWEL Exam and Permanency Foundation courses as required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
5. Must have a valid driver's license, an automobile and adequate automobile insurance.
6. Must become certified in CPR and First Aid within six months of employment date.
7. Must complete a Medical and T.B. test providing proof of results.
8. Must be fingerprinted by the State of Illinois and must submit to a full Background Check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
9. Must submit official academic transcripts from the last school in which a degree was awarded.
10. Must pass the Child Welfare Licensure certification from the State of Illinois.
11. Ability to lift 40 lbs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; and use hands to handle or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, reach with hands or arms. The employee will be working closely with children and families from all different communities we serve. This will require the ability to drive for extended periods of time in rural or urban areas. The employee will need to be able to visit clients in their home setting, which will require the ability to climb stairs to access different living spaces of the client's home to assess for safety concerns. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Shelter is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. 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.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in the agency facilities, and occasionally in vehicles, meeting rooms both in the facility and at other agency sites.

CLASSIFICATION STATUS

This is an exempt position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $56,000 to $61,000 per year
• Benefits:




• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid holidays and generous PTO
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel

Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals from historically underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace for all.