Foster Care Specialist- $3,000 Signing Bonus

Kaleidoscope, a non-profit, child welfare organization located in Chicago, Illinois is seeking to fill the position of Foster Care Specialist to serve families in our Foster Care Program. In addition to our competitive compensation and benefits package, we are also offering a $3,000 signing bonus!

Founded in 1973, our mission today is to enhance child and family wellbeing by delivering innovative, individualized care and strengthening community connections. Our vision is that all children and youth have the opportunity to enjoy safe and healthy lives nurtured by responsive adults.

Job Summary

The Foster Care Specialist is responsible for providing a variety of community and home-based case management services to assigned children, youth and their biological and foster parents with the goal of promoting safety, wellbeing and permanency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Position-Specific

• Demonstrates agency clinical philosophy in all aspects of program activities.
• Promptly responds to new foster care referrals by actively participating in pre-placement and placement activities.
• Develops and documents thorough initial and ongoing assessments of each assigned child/ youth.
• Provides support, information and referrals for services to biological parents with the goal of addressing the conditions that led to child welfare involvement.
• Collaborates with the Child and Family team to develop, review and modify Service and Treatment Plans that address assessment needs related to safety, wellbeing and permanency.
• Prepares for and attends Administrative Case Reviews (ACR’s), CIPP meetings, school staffings and court hearings for all children/youth.
• In consultation with supervisor, makes recommendations to DCFS and court personnel on services, placement, visitation, and permanency.
• Monitors the safety and wellbeing of assigned children/youth through face-to-face visits in the home and community, as required.
• Monitors the adherence to licensing standards of each foster home and promptly reports concerns to agency licensing staff.
• Promotes family connections through the implementation of approved family visiting plans.
• Consults regularly with professional and family members of the child/youth’s team to ensure quality service coordination and communication.
• Provides support and information to foster parents in the safe, nurturing and therapeutic care of children with the goal of providing a stable home which meets the child/youth’s needs.
• Monitors the safety and appropriateness of the biological family home environment through a minimum of one in-home visit per month for all cases with return home goals and/or children living in the home.
• Ensures that client case files are complete through completing and/or obtaining required, consents for release of information or authorization for treatment and current documentation regarding medical, developmental, school, therapeutic and other services.
• Documents all admission, ongoing and closing activities in a timely manner using approved forms.
• Maintains an awareness of community resources appropriate to child, youth and family needs, and makes proper use of these resources through referral and follow-up.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of FC Program Plan requirements, COA accreditation standards and related DCFS and policy and procedures.
• Provides on-call crisis response as scheduled.
• Completes other duties as assigned by the FC Team Supervisor

Educational Requirements/General Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or social service related degree. Master's degree preferred
• Bachelor’s degree requires at least 2 years of experience in social services; Master’s degree requires at least 1 year of experience
• LCSW or LCPC licensure preferred
• Must possess or pass CWEL, CANS, CERAP and other state of Illinois certifications, as required
• Full time use of minimally insured, operating automobile and valid driver’s license. Subject to a MVR Report.

COVID-19 Notice

In accordance with Kaleidoscope’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we require all employees hired as of November 16, 2021 to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to safeguard the health of our employees and their families; clients; visitors; and the community at large. Additionally, all employees are required to practice social distancing and be masked in the office when away from assigned workstations. As such, only fully vaccinated candidates will be considered for employment with Kaleidoscope at this time unless eligible for medical or religious exemption.

EEO Statement

Kaleidoscope Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Inclusive/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.