Responsibilities

• Maintain a high quality of personal and professional integrity in all interactions and thoroughness of documentation.
• Develop a positive working relationship with families and work effectively with parents/caregivers to help them improve parenting skills and fulfill the service plan to effectively care for their children.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of the children through timely visits, the frequency of which is determined by DCFS contract and the needs of the family.
• Provide and document Integrated Assessment and Service Plans.
• Provide and document ongoing support/referral services to the family including all required home visits, crisis intervention, parenting classes, domestic violence services, substance use intervention, and mental health services.
• Meet weekly and work closely with the supervisor in all decision-making meetings, including quarterly staffing and Child and Family Team Meetings
• Effectively move cases towards case closure within 6-12 months
• Pursue ongoing professional development through participation in training, seminars, and coursework.

Function

Each Intact Case Worker is responsible to assist families to function and care for children, free from abuse or neglect, keeping the family intact, rather than children entering the foster care system. It necessitates hard work, creativity and persistence to link the family members with the necessary services and provide the needed encouragement and accountability along the way.

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work or in a related field
• Preferred 2-3 years of human services or child welfare experience (paid or volunteer)
• Must be willing and able to support the mission and Christian values of Lydia Home
• Must effectively communicate and work with diverse staff, clients, organizations and communities
• Must possess high level of computer literacy, organization, initiative and follow-through
• Must have a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties including climbing at least 4 flights of stairs each day for home visits and occasionally carrying up to 25 lbs. for things like clothes, bedding, toys, car seats for families.
• Must successfully complete all DCFS Training and successfully pass all required DCFS licensure and exams (takes about 3 weeks).
• Knowledge preferred of guiding regulations, including Illinois Department of
• Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Rules and Procedures, including Part 302.388 Intact Family Services and Part 401 Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies, as well as Family First Prevention Services Act (H.R. 5456).