Bilingual Child Welfare Specialist

At SOS Illinois we are committed to keeping brothers and sisters in foster care together by providing safe, stable, and loving homes. We do this by offering an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care provides a private, single-family home, access to a community center, and support from professionally trained Foster Parents and staff. With this, the children we serve benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring SOS Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community.

· Work for an impactful organization with a purpose

· Corporate culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion

· Hybrid/flexible work options to help balance work and life

· PTO (paid time off in the form of personal days, sick time, vacation days, and paid company holidays

· Bonus plan for Bilingual Child Welfare Specialists

· Employee Referral Bonuses

Employee Well-Being Benefits

· Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligible the first of the following month after 30 of FT employment)

· Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings

· Flexible PTO

· Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

· 403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you are contributing.

· Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program

· Access to financial advisors and financial education tools

· Tuition reimbursement options

· Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional development

The Role: Provide services to SOS children and their families in order to achieve the particular case goal as outlined and explained in the client service plan.

Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive case management services to SOS children, including assessment, referral, placement supervision, service plan formulation and implementation, and appropriate involvement with the SOS and biological families. Act as a partner to Foster Parents in times of need.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and current service reports on children and families served including timely written case notes, six-month summaries and permanency reports as required and/or requested by DCFS and SOS. Conduct quarterly audits of client files.
• Ensure that a healthy, safe and secure home environment and a consistency of care is provided to the children, including but not limited to, ensuring that the children received proper medical, dental and emotional care as required.
• Advise and consult with the Client, Foster Parent and Child Welfare Supervisor to ensure adequate understanding of the case dynamics and the needs of the Client.
• Coordinate effectively with DCFS and other community agencies for the maximum utilization of available resources to address the service goals of the cases assigned.
• Work in conjunction with the Child & Family Services Coordinator to develop a working knowledge of community resources which may be used in serving clients and maintain a close working relationship with these resources.
• Act as a Liaison to the Foster Parent Enrichment Coordinator and Child & Family Services Coordinator within the Spanish speaking communities towards identifying resources and foster parent recruitment.
• Prepare for and attend required case meetings, ACR’s, court hearings, and staffings.
• Submit reports as required by Supervisor.
• Perform on-call duties as needed to carry out the responsibilities as required.
• Communicate problems and issues within the department to the Child Welfare Supervisor.
• Complete all mandatory agency and job specific training.
• Represent SOS in a professional manner to the public and guests.
• Comply with all SOS policies, state, federal, county and city laws, rules and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or related field.
• Proficient speaking, reading and writing skills in English and Spanish.
• DCFS Child Welfare Employee Licensure required.
• Ability to work with DCFS, courts and other social service systems.
• Ability to pass DCFS required criminal background check including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS.
• Valid Illinois driver's license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel between both Villages and surrounding communities.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff.
• Ability to relate to the agency staff, clients, and to the public in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment and to handle sensitive and confidential materials.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm-free environment.
• Commitment to SOS Children’s Villages Illinois philosophy and mission.

ADA DISCLAIMER/STATEMENT:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Position responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this
position will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.