Specialized Foster Care Case Manager in Highland, Illinois at CHRISTIAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF ILLINO

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 Home Resource Manager

Department: Foster Care

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Associate Program Director

Starting Compensation Pay: $58,000 annually

PURPOSE: The Specialized Foster Home Resource Manager is responsible for recruiting, licensing, monitoring, and supporting specialized foster homes. This role plays a critical role in ensuring specialized youth are safe, stable and placed in therapeutically appropriate homes that can meet their behavioral, medical, developmental, and emotional needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct comprehensive home studies, safety assessments, and background checks for specialized foster home applicants
• Prepare detailed licensing reports, corrective action plans, and renewal documentation.
• Provide ongoing monitoring of specialized foster homes through scheduled and unannounced visits.
• Ensure full compliance with state and federal licensing standards, agency policies, and accreditation requirements.
• Offer coaching, training, and hands on assistance to caregivers on trauma-informed care, behavioral management, and crisis response.
• Collaborate with treatment team to develop/implement individualized support plans for foster families to promote placement success.
• Serve as a team member within the multidisciplinary team or child and family team meeting to facilitate connections between family, supports and other collateral resources.
• Serve as subject-matter expert on specialized foster care licensing standards and best practices.
• Represent specialized foster care programs in internal and external workgroups, committees, and community partnerships.
• Develop and implement targeted recruitment strategies to attract caregivers capable of supporting children with high-level needs.
• Facilitate orientation sessions and pre-service training for prospective caregivers.
• 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.

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 accommodation 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 human service, related fields will be considered

Experience Required: Minimum 2 years' experience as foster home licensing specialist or child welfare experience.

Licenses/Certifications Required: CWEL, passing grade on Exam for Rule 402, Passing grade on Exam for Child Welfare Act

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Manager-Specific: N/A

Basic: Strong written and verbal communication skills, active listening, organization, documentation accuracy, critical thinking, and attention to detail. Ability to maintain case records and comply with agency, DCFS, and court documentation requirements.

Social: Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with children, parents, caregivers, service providers, attorneys, educators, medical professionals, and community partners. Demonstrates professionalism, empathy, collaboration, and effective interpersonal communication skills.

Problem Solving/Decision-Making: Ability to assess family functioning, identify safety concerns, recognize barriers to family stability, exercise sound judgment, and make timely decisions that support child safety and family preservation. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and respond effectively to changing situations.

Proficient Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, database management software, electronic case management systems, and virtual communication platforms.

Expert Computer Skills In: N/A

Resource Management: Ability to coordinate services, manage a caseload, connect families to community resources, monitor service delivery, and ensure compliance with required timelines and program expectations.

Technical: Ability to complete assessments, develop service plans, maintain case records, prepare court-related documentation, and utilize case management systems effectively.

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 children, families, staff, and communities and incorporates trauma-informed principles into service planning, case management, and family engagement activities.

VEHICLE RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Access to reliable transportation: Required.

Access to a reliable automobile: Required.

Proof of continued insurance: Required.

Valid driver’s license: Required.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE:

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.