Permanency Specialist

at Illinois Department of Children & Family Services in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Chicago, IL, US, 60612

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children.  Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families.  In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.

Agency :  Department of Children and Family Services 

Title: Child Welfare Specialist-Permanency (Upward Mobility) - Damen 
Closing Date/Time: 04/22/2024 
Salary:   Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/24) $6,005 a month; Full Range $6,005 - $8,678 a month  
Job Type:   Salaried 
County:   Cook  
Number of Vacancies:   1  
Plan/BU: RC063   

REQ#: 36801

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Your resume, official transcripts, licenses, along with any other supporting documents can be uploaded when applying and is HIGHLY recommened.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

*This title is within the Upward Mobility Program.  General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Title Descriptions. There are three categories of UMP titles: 1) certificate titles which require passing a written proficiency exam; 2) credential titles which require the possession of a specified college degree and/or licensure; and 3) dual titles for which a certificate may be earned by following either the certificate or credential pathway.*

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Permanency Specialist.  Under general supervision, this position will provide professional child welfare casework services to children and families, determining the need and coordinating the placement of children in substitute care facilities.  Additionally, the position will conduct interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans.  This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring the safety and stability of children and youth.  DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program.  The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong communication skills.  We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

1. Serves as a Permanency Specialist which provides experienced professional casework services to children and families; determines the need and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities; provides recommendations and testifies in court as to client history and future plans of client behavior; provides assistance in the preparation of witnesses for testifying and prepares studies ordered by the court; participates in the administrative case review process; informs clients of their appeal rights and procedures and assists clients in the initiation of appeal rights; establishes goals for children and parents; prepares reports on progress or lack of progress toward goal; coordinates the development of a comprehensive, family-centered, culturally relevant assessment of children and families; maintains ongoing assessment of needs and strengths; evaluates the progress of the family toward attainment of minimum parenting standards, as well as the effectiveness and appropriateness of utilized services toward the goals of family preservation, family reunification, or another appropriate permanency outcome for the child; provides feedback to the family regarding progress; on a rotating basis, assigned to 24 hour “on call” duty in addition to normal assignments, to ensure that services are provided as mandated by statute and policy.

2. Works with intact families and children in home and/or substitute care; develops service plans to address needs of families within agency timeframes; evaluates service delivery and reviews service plans and permanency goals, making changes to meet the needs of the child and family.

3. Conducts interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans; counsels on available concrete and supportive services and available therapeutic services and provides same; implements service plans with families; provides services directly and/or makes referrals for services; provides support, guidance, and coordination to foster parents and service providers; monitors to ensure appropriate visits occur between parents and children in placements and siblings not placed together; drives to field locations to conduct on-site interviews.