Dcfs Case Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

The YVLifeSet Case Worker provides individual services to 6-8 young adults, ages Eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) in the home and community setting to assist the young adult with transition to adulthood, meeting a minimum of one time per week face to face with the young person and providing additional support via phone, text, or in person as needed. 

When indicated, a YVLifeSet Case Worker may see a young person daily to ensure safety and stability. Additionally, the YVLifeSet Case Worker is directly responsible for all interventions associated with a specific young adult and their family. This includes case management and collaboration with external key stakeholders and referral sources, such as probation, child welfare workers, therapists, etc. The specialist conducts ongoing assessment of the young person's needs from a strength focused, solution-based perspective and develops service plans on a monthly basis. The specialist also documents all service contacts with the young adult within the timelines required by the organization. 

The Case Worker is expected to attend all meetings related to the young adult and/or family with the purpose of gathering information specific to intervention development and advocating in the best interest of the young adult's long-term stability. 

The Case Specialist is on call 24/7 (rotating on-call at night and on weekends) and expected to respond in person at any time when it is determined to be necessary by the Team supervisor, clinical consultant and program director.

In addition, the Case Worker is expected to attend and actively participate in individual and team supervision sessions and trainings and to follow up and/or implement feedback and recommendations received from the team supervisor, program director, and clinical consultant. The specialist is expected to adhere to all ethical and legal guidelines, including confidentiality and mandated reporting. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Document all case management activity and use information in up-to-date case entry notes

Promotes a youth guided, family centered, and strengths-based environment at all times

Assists youth in developing family resources or adult's connections.

Write and submit timely reports for juvenile court and administrative case reviews, etc. 

Takes leadership in the planning and evaluation of staffing's/conferences

Takes responsibility for presenting intake material to employees and presenting to Intake Committee for final decision as applicable

Provides data, information, and goals to team. Works with treatment, collateral staff, and families in coordinating efforts to reach goals 

Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms. 

Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization

Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants

Attends agency and other professional seminars and conferences to increase professional knowledge and skills

Liaison to DCFS or other agencies (courts, school districts, etc.), communicating goals and progress toward their accomplishment

May provide counseling (if appropriate)

Locates and evaluates resources, facilitates referrals and supportive services

May cover ACR/court and other duties during employee vacancies/absences

Documents contact with young people, family, court sessions, etc. for statistical purposes

Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect

Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences

Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment 

Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve-month period

Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery

Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's degree is the Human Services field

Experience: Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, and positive youth development/strength-based approach preferred 

Credential: 

Must have the Child Welfare Employee Licensure at hire or attend the next schedule Foundation Training Program for licensure, meet the requirements for attendance and conduct, and pass licensure Exam including CERAP (Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol), and CANS (Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths), Must complete Teen Parenting Service Network Specialty Training within one year of hire date, 

Valid Illinois Driver's License

Personal vehicle or access to vehicle, proof of insurance and good driving record 

A clear background with no history of child abuse or neglect

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Requires knowledge of trauma expose.
2. Requires knowledge of  the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care. 
3. An understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. 
4. Ability to communicate and work with children with varying skills, ages Eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21); and provide necessary guidance, support, and supervision to participants at all times. 
5. Mathematics and language arts proficiency
6. First aid and CPR certified
7. Passion to make a positive impact on the lives of youth in the community and to educate them to proficiency 
8. Ability to observe participant behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures. 
9. Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other risks related to an activity. 
10. Physical endurance to engage children and adolescents in respective activities. 
11. Physical strength and ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring medical intervention, and de-escalation. 
12. Cognitive ability to provide leadership to achieve participant goals and objectives. 
13. Excellent communication and organizational skills. 
14. Able to work collaboratively with teams
15. Demonstrated reliability regarding attendance and work performance
16. Ability to be creative, flexible and adaptive in ALL situations, activities and responsibilities
17. Must be a team player
18. Must want to help address the needs of the community
19. Duties as assigned may result in working weekends and/or holidays

 Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off