What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family and Resource Engagement Specialist position at Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois?
Lutheran Child and Family Services of IL
Effective Date: March 1, 2024
NON-MANAGEMENT JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Family and Resource Engagement Specialist
Exempt/Non-exempt: NON-EXEMPT
Immediate Supervisor: Licensing or Other Child Welfare Supervisor
Salary Range: $19.41 - $21.41
Benefits: Click Here to view LCFS’ Full-Time Employee Benefits.
Opportunity for an additional $1,500 Quarterly Continuous Quality Performance Bonus
.Essential Functions:
- Actively assist in the collection of information, service identification and resource development to support case work staff in stabilizing youth involved in the child welfare system.
- Serves as a non-case carrying member of multidisciplinary team of foster parents, birth parents, youth, supervisors, direct service child welfare professionals and other identified supports to find and facilitate connections with prior, existing, or new caregivers.
- Utilize innovative and traditional research, investigation and general search methods in identifying and locating family members and supportive connections for youth in care.
- Collaborate with the licensing and foster care team to identify/recruit potential placement options of licensed providers, relatives and fictive kin to support engaged, affirming, stable and life-long connections, placement, stabilization and permanency Support newly identified relatives and fictive kin as they develop their role in the life of a youth in the child welfare system
- Collaborate with the licensing and foster care team for expediting and supporting the licensure process for relative caregiver resources
- Actively seeks out and participates in regular supervision, mediation, problem resolution, and crisis response to effectively respond to parent, child, provider and other stakeholder concerns and demonstrating the ability to effectively manage crisis and difficult case situations.
- Cultivates and maintains positive, professional relationships with youth, caregivers, and families, serving as a liaison between the organization and community resources to foster collaborative connections.
- Maintains knowledge of changing regulations, policies and rules from agency, DCFS, legal and accrediting bodies. Attends and participates in all required agency and DCFS training in time frame required.
- Achieve organizational performance outcomes on Key Performance Indicators metrics/dashboard towards safety, permanency, wellbeing, and overall Agency performance outcomes.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Ability Requirements:
- Ability to drive one’s own vehicle and transport children, youth, and adults as needed.
- Basic understanding of the child welfare system, in-depth knowledge of family engagement principles and practices, familiarity with community resources and services.
- Knowledge and understanding of the role of a change agent and interventions needed for a successful helping relationship and maintenance of confidentiality
- Knowledge and ability to be open and accepting of other’s ethnicities, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE)
- Proficiency in the usage of computer software.
Education and Experience:
High School degree with at least one year of experience in child and family services. Bachelor's degree in human service, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field including experience in family engagement, child and family casework services, or a related field preferred.
Physical Demands and Other Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties listed in the job description satisfactorily. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, or controls; reach with hands and arms. Capable of operating standard office equipment, including a computer and keyboard, calculator, typical business machines such as a fax machine and copier. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to have valid driver’s license, auto insurance and must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. The work environment characteristics include a noise level which is usually low to moderate.
Position Responsibilities/Program Execution and Decision Making:
Diversity and Inclusion/ Professionalism: In all aspects of their work presents as a role model to others, behaving in a way which actively supports LCFS as a welcoming community, promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and collaborates with others to further equity and dismantle barriers to a more inclusive experience of community. Participates in annual professional development and/or advocacy regarding inclusion.
Ethical Conduct: Follows all ethics policies and procedures related to program execution and decision making as defined by the agency as well as any related professional licensing, regulatory or accrediting body. Maintain confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information. Reports any known or suspected breaches of confidentiality in accordance with policy. Reports possible misconduct or relevant errors/ oversight in a timely manner and responsibly addresses related issues with chain of command.
Communication/ Interpersonal Skills: Consistently conveys clear, accurate, timely, and respectful communication appropriate for the situation. Informs appropriate management staff when incident occurs or a crisis situation. Maintains professional boundaries with clients/residents, staff, interns, volunteers, and vendors. Able to successfully share skills and concepts with others and works effectively with others under time and environmental pressures.
Safety and Agency Resource Utilization: Demonstrates sound judgement and foresight in safety awareness and in daily work. Notifies, in a timely manner, the supervisory chain of any incidents or circumstances that need attention. Report all suspicions or allegations of abuse immediately to their supervisor. Ensures appropriate utilization of materials and resources and minimizes waste.
Other Responsibilities: All other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
Salary : $19 - $21
