Housing Advocate at One Family Illinois – Chicago area, Illinois

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 of 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

The Role: The Housing Advocate is responsible for supporting youth assigned through DCFS appointee and provide wrap-around services that would lead to permanent housing.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for evaluating the housing needs of assigned youth clients.

• Develop social service plan for all client cases.

• Assist clients in locating housing options and provide counseling services related to the process and requirements to appropriately and effectively secure housing.

• Provide life skills training, resources, and services to clients based on need.

• Assist clients with financial literacy (may be outsourced to other programs) and budget counseling.

• Assist clients with accessing job training programs and securing reliable employment.

• Connect clients to other resources such as trainings and/or support groups on various topics, as needed. Topics include, but are not limited to, healthy relationships, self-esteem, bullying, financial literacy, and more.

• Conducts home visits when working with housed clients and maintains monthly contact as well as contact with landlord.

• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with community service providers and resources, such as medical staff and clinics, public welfare personnel, lawyers, therapists, law enforcement staff, school officials, neighbors, religious and youth organization representatives, etc.; utilizing referral sources as necessary.

• Coordinates effectively with clients and internal and external programs for the maximum utilization of available resources to address the service goals of the cases assigned.

• Prepares and submits reports and/or recommendations to the direct supervision concerning case load status, budget requests, and changes in service plans, and any unusual incidents that occur in the operation of the program. Perform on-call duties as needed to carry out the responsibilities as required.

• Communicates effectively regarding problems and issues within the department.

• Must be able to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with children and families, staff, and support agencies.

• Completes all mandatory agency and job specific training.

• Represents SOS in a professional manner to the colleagues, the public, clients, and guests.

• Complies with all SOS policies, state, federal, county and city laws, rules and regulations.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or age or older.

• 2 years of education at an accredited college or university required. Associate degree or higher is preferred. Ability to provide proof of required education (official transcripts).

• Ability to pass a background clearance including a criminal history check in accordance with DCFS Personnel Guidelines for contractual staff including but not limited to: information from the State Police regarding any criminal record, fingerprinting, check of the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) via the SACWIS system, a check of the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, and other state child protection systems as appropriate.

• Experience working with children and families.

• Ability to travel locally using own transportation (mileage reimbursed), and within the state or coverage area as required.

• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and email (Outlook).

• Spanish and English-Bilingual Capability (read, write, and speak) strongly preferred.

• Ability to work with DCFS, courts and other social services systems.

• Valid Illinois driver's license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation.

• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff.

• Ability to relate to the Agency staff and to the public in a courteous and professional manner.

• Ability to work in a team environment.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials.

• Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb flights of stairs, stand for a period of time, bend, and kneel.

• Ability to work flexible hours.

• Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm-free environment.

• Commitment to One Family Illinois mission, vision, and values.

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.