Foster Parent Support Specialist

Description

At One Family Illinois, we uphold compassion, inclusion, integrity, and adaptability as the core values guiding our work with each other, children, families, and the community.

Why One Family Illinois?

At One Family Illinois (Formerly SOS Children's Villages 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 One Family 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 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 o

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

Now hiring at Roosevelt Square Village, Chicago Village, and Lockport Village

The Role: The Foster Parent Support Specialist provides structured evening support to Professional Foster Parents and children in the care of One Family Illinois which includes but is not limited to transporting children to and from placement, court hearings, or visitation with natural parents/caregivers or siblings; providing assistance with program activities for children; and will observe children and report to the CWS Specialist, CWS Supervisor, and/or Foster Parent Support Coordinator any unusual behavior relating to the mental, social adjustment and overall health of children.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide structured evening support to Professional Foster Parents and children within One Family Illinois foster homes, office spaces, and/or in the community.

2. Assist Professional Foster Parents in maintaining a safe, stable, nurturing, and supportive environment for children in their care.

3. Provide direct supervision, monitoring, care, and support to children during periods of increased need, foster parent absences, emergencies, or other approved circumstances.

4. Provide developmentally appropriate education assistance and other age appropriate programming to youth as assigned.

5. Provide real-time support and intervention to foster parents experiencing behavioral, emotional, or family-related challenges.

6. Assist foster parents with implementing daily routines, behavior management strategies, treatment plans, and skill-building activities designed to support children's growth and development.

7. Respond to placement concerns and emerging situations with timely, appropriate intervention designed to promote placement stability and prevent disruption.

8. Assist with crisis intervention and de-escalation while maintaining the safety and well-being of children, foster parents, and staff.

9. Provide transportation for children to family visits, recreational activities, community events, and other approved activities as needed.

10. Provide trauma informed psychoeducation resources and services to assist in meeting the needs of children in their care.

11. Serve as a liaison between foster parents, agency staff, schools, service providers, and community partners to support child and family needs.

12. Must be able to provide standard supports to community foster parents as assigned.

13. Communicate significant concerns, incidents, observations, and changes in child or family circumstances to the Foster Parent Support Supervisor and other appropriate agency staff.

14. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services provided, contacts, transportation, interventions, incidents, and other required activities.

15. Participate in staggered scheduling and rotating weekend assignments to support the village's evening coverage model.

16. Participate in overnight coverage for as assigned.

17. Participate in agency meetings, supervision, required trainings, and professional development activities.

18. Maintain required certifications, including but not limited to, CPR/First Aid, CPI, Medication Administration, and other agency-required trainings.

19. Maintain confidentiality of all client, staff, and agency information.

20. Represent One Family Illinois in a professional manner when interacting with foster parents, children, staff, service providers, community partners, and the public.

21. Comply with all One Family Illinois policies and applicable state, federal, county, and city laws, rules, and regulations.

22. Answer phone calls and respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner.

23. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bilingual skills are preferred but not required.
• Previous childcare, youth services, foster care, social services, or related experience required.
• Experience working with youth in child welfare and or complex trauma preferred.
• Valid Illinois driver's license with an acceptable driving record and proof of automobile insurance coverage.
• Ability to work primarily between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., including evenings, weekends, holidays, and other rotating overnight assignments.
• Ability to respond appropriately and effectively to crisis situations involving children and families.
• Ability to maintain composure and exercise sound judgment in stressful or high-acuity situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with children, foster parents, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to learn and support the One Family Illinois behavior management program and other agency practices.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sensitivity to the cultural, developmental, and socioeconomic characteristics of children, families, and staff.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Commitment to the mission, philosophy, and values of One Family Illinois.

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.

ONE FAMILY ILLINOIS is an equal opportunity employer. Employment, assignment, and promotion practices are carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, physical handicap, social handicap, sex, age, or ancestry.