Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of children? Are you committed to strengthening families? If so, consider joining the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) team. For 150 years, LSSI has made a difference in the lives of children and families, and we're still a strong, viable presence in the State of Illinois, continuing that commitment to making a difference.

LSSI currently has open positions for Child Welfare Specialists in Nachusa, Illinois. Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, or a related social service field. Additionally, candidates must pass a background check, and possess a valid driver's license/valid automobile insurance. A State of Illinois Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) is required for this position, but training and certification to meet this requirement are available upon hire. We are pleased to offer a CWEL sign-on BONUS IF you possess a valid CWEL upon hire! This job requires flexibility, compassion, good communication skills (oral and written), the ability to work well with a variety of personalities, and openness to personal and professional growth. Above all, this position requires a desire to make a difference in the lives of children and families requiring foster care or intact family services. For more information regarding the specific job responsibilities of this casework position, check the LSSI web page at [ Link removed ] .

As a member of a child welfare team under the direct supervision of a Master's level supervisor, the prospective child welfare specialist/caseworker provides a full range of foster care services to children and families within Illinois Department of Children and Family Services mandates, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois policies, and Council on Accreditation standards.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provision of direct services to children and families to facilitate timely permanency outcomes for children with their family of origin, extended family, or foster/adoptive family according to the policies and practices of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, and the Council on Accreditation.
• Monitoring of services to clients by external providers (includes medical, mental health, educational, mentoring, etc. services), including regular communication with providers and collection of reports to document progress and identified problems with service provision.
• Attending/participating in all scheduled court hearings well prepared to testify in an effective manner that communicates the essential facts and features of the cases.
• In-person contact with children, biological parents, foster/relative care providers as required.
• Monitoring parent-child interactions as required.
• Transporting clients as needed.
• Completion/submission, in a timely manner, of all required contact notes, service plans, court reports, and other documentation required by DCFS and LSSI.
• Performing all tasks required by the written client service plan, based upon the comprehensive integrated assessment, engaging children and families in the process.
• Scheduling and facilitation of required Child and Family Team meetings, engaging children and families in the process.
• Participation in a regularly established supervisory process for guidance, direction, support, and approval of decision-making, assessment, service planning and intervention.
• Participation in the organization's Continuous Quality Improvement process to refine practice and achieve identified outcomes identified by the organization's CQI process and the Federal Child and Family Services Review.

Identified candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, or an identified human service field.
• A minimum of one year of child welfare experience preferred.
• Basic understanding of strengths-based, trauma informed interaction with clients.
• Submit to fingerprinting and pass required background checks, including CANTS, LEADS, Sexual Abuse Registry, Illinois State Police, and FBI.
• Valid Illinois driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance and access to transportation to make home visits, other required appointments, and transport clients.
• Ability to pass required IDCFS Child Welfare Employee licensure (CWEL) as a requirement for ongoing employment with LSSI.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences within the diverse client base served by the organization, as well as within the organization itself.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.

Key Words: Foster Care Caseworker, Case Worker, Foster Care, Social Services, Human Services, Child and Family Services, Child and Youth Services, NonProfit, NFP.