Specialized Foster Care Case Manager

Description

 Welcome to your opportunity to change the world! If you have a servant’s heart and want to be part of something truly special, then Caritas Family Solutions needs you. We have been serving the people of Illinois since 1947 and have over 500 committed and mission-driven team members. At Caritas, we do not hire people for jobs; we find new team members for rewarding and life-changing careers that make the world better.

If you are kind, patient, and ready to make a difference, we would love to meet you!

Full-time employees are offered the competitive benefits outlined below:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid training
• Health Insurance
• Dental and Vision
• Life insurance
• 403(b) with company contribution 5%
• Tuition reimbursement

We know great candidates bring a wide range of experience. If you believe you can be successful in this role, we encourage you to apply — even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.

Job Title: Specialized Foster Care Case Manager

Department: Foster Care

Status: Full-Time, Exempt           

Reports To: Specialized Foster Care Supervisor

Starting Compensation Pay: $60,900 annually  

PURPOSE: The Specialized Foster Care Case Manager will collaborate with DCFS, youth, birth families, foster parents, and other identified supports to facilitate the achievement of permanency for specialized youth in care. Specialized Foster Care Case Managers will visit with members of the child and family team as required and work to identify any barriers to permanency and help secure supports and services to overcome identified barriers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide comprehensive case management services to children and families involved in foster care.
• Monitor placements to ensure children's safety, permanency, and well-being goals are achieved.
• Conduct required monthly visits with youth, foster parents, and birth parents.
• Develop, implement, and update service plans and specialized treatment plans.
• Coordinate services and connect families with community resources and supports.
• Build strong therapeutic relationships with youth, caregivers, and families.
• Facilitate and participate in Child and Family Team Meetings.
• Maintain consistent communication with therapists, attorneys, CASA representatives, DCFS staff, and other service providers.
• Attend DCFS meetings, court hearings, and provide testimony when required.
• Partner with Licensing Specialists to support foster parent development and training.
• Collaborate with Foster Care Case Assistants to coordinate family visitation plans.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant case documentation.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities as assigned.
• Engage in regular supervision and professional development activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

 Please note that the Responsibilities and Qualifications provide a general overview of the primary duties for this role and the basic qualifications. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.   

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/PREFERRED:

Degree/Field Required: Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or in Human Services (Related fields will be considered.) 

Degree/Field Preferred: Master's Degree in Social Work or in Human Services (Related fields will be considered.)

Additional Fields of Knowledge Important for the Role:

• Child welfare and permanency planning
• Family systems and trauma-informed care
• Human behavior and child development
• Counseling and therapeutic intervention practices
• Court procedures and child welfare regulations
• Community resources and support services

Experience Required: Minimum of 2 years child Welfare experience or Master's Degree in Social Work or related field. 

Licenses/Certifications Required: Child Welfare Employee License

SKILLS REQUIRED

Manager-Specific: N/A   

Basic: Strong written and verbal communication skills, active listening, clinical documentation abilities, organization, critical thinking, and attention to detail. Ability to maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with agency, DCFS, court, and licensing documentation requirements. Ability to effectively engage families, youth, caregivers, and service providers while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Social: Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with youth, birth families, foster parents, caregivers, DCFS personnel, attorneys, CASA representatives, therapists, service providers, and community partners. Demonstrates professionalism, empathy, collaboration, advocacy skills, cultural sensitivity, and effective conflict-resolution techniques.

Problem Solving/Decision-Making: Ability to assess child, family, and placement needs; identify barriers to safety, permanency, and well-being; evaluate available resources; exercise sound judgment; and make timely decisions in complex situations. Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, respond appropriately to crisis situations, and implement effective solutions that support permanency outcomes and placement stability.

Resource Management: Ability to coordinate services, manage a caseload, prioritize deadlines, monitor service delivery, facilitate team collaboration, and connect youth and families with appropriate community resources and support services. Ability to effectively manage time and workload while ensuring compliance with program and contractual requirements.      

Technical: Ability to maintain electronic case records; complete assessments; develop service plans and specialized treatment plans; prepare court, licensing, and DCFS-related documentation; facilitate Child and Family Team meetings; monitor permanency progress; and effectively utilize case management and documentation systems.         

Trauma-Informed:  Must display a willingness to adopt trauma-informed interventions, principles, and practices and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care. Recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals, families, staff, and communities and applies trauma-informed principles in all interactions and service delivery.

Proficient Computer Skills In: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, database management software

Expert Computer Skills In: N/A

VEHICLE RELATED REQUIREMENTS: 

Access to reliable transportation: Required.

Access to a reliable automobile: Required. 

Proof of continued auto insurance: Required.

Valid driver’s license: Required.

DRUG-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Caritas Family Solutions is dedicated to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for our clients and employees. As part of this, a strict drug-free workplace policy is maintained.