Foster Parent Support Specialist

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13834614 ### Description Now hiring at our Roosevelt Square Village, Chicago Village & Lockport Village! At One Family Illinois, we uphold compassion, inclusion, integrity, and adaptability as the core values guiding our work with each other, children, families, and the community. Why One FamilyIllinois? At One FamilyIllinois (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 FamilyIllinois 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 Foster Parent Support Specialist provides structured evening support to Professional Foster Parents and children in the care of One Family Illinois which includes but is not limited to transporting children to and from placement, court hearings, or visitation with natural parents/caregivers or siblings; providing assistance with program activities for children; and will observe children and report to the CWS Specialist, CWS Supervisor, and/or Foster Support Supervisor any unusual behavior relating to the mental, social adjustment and overall health of children. Responsibilities: 1. Provide structured evening support to Professional Foster Parents and children within One Family Illinois foster homes, office spaces, and/or in the community. 2. Assist Professional Foster Parents in maintaining a safe, stable, nurturing, and supportive environment for children in their care. 3. Provide direct supervision, monitoring, care, and support to children during periods of increased need, foster parent absences, emergencies, or other approved circumstances. 4. Provide developmentally appropriate education assistance and other age appropriate programming to youth as assigned. 5. Provide real-time support and intervention to foster parents experiencing behavioral, emotional, or family-related challenges. 6. Assist foster parents with implementing daily routines, behavior management strategies, treatment plans, and skill-building activities designed to support children's growth and development. 7. Respond to placement concerns and emerging situations with timely, appropriate intervention designed to promote pl acement stability and prevent disruption. 8. Assist with crisis intervention and de-escalation while maintaining the safety and well-being of children, foster parents, and staff. 9. Provide transportation for children to family visits, recreational activities, community events, and other approved activities as needed. 10. Provide trauma informed psychoeducation resources and services to assist in meeting the needs of children in their care. 11. Serve as a liaison between foster parents, agency staff, schools, service providers, and community partners to support child and family needs. 12. Must be able to provide standard supports to community foster parents as assigned. 13. Communicate significant concerns, incidents, observations, and changes in child or family circumstances to the Foster Support Supervisor and other appropriate agency