Job Summary

Under the assigned supervisor, the IPS Foster Parent Support Specialist is responsible for working alongside the home-based crisis intervention program Intensive Placement Stabilization (IPS). To add an additional layer of support and advocacy for caregivers while receiving IPS services.Increasing collaboration with internal and external agencies serving youths and foster caregivers. The primary role is to empower caregivers to become positive leaders of their families so that they are better equipped to listen, nurture, communicate, and safely discipline. Duties include working with caregivers in identifying and achieving goals; promoting positive parent-child relationships and interactions; and reinforcing child development education. IPS FPSS works to increase caregivers’ critical skills and behaviors that foster empathy, reinforce communication, support the caregiver with increasing their knowledge of available community resources, learn problem-solving strategies, and advocacy, and gain a sense of community. Along with increasing caregiver knowledge of DCFS functions and the Illinois child welfare system and foster parent rights and DCFS/OHU Licensing expectations. To support the IPS clinician who provides clinical psychoeducation, the FPSS worker will reinforce caregiver comprehension of trauma-focused parenting approaches and techniques, self-care and realistic expectations associated with the role of a foster parent.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
•  The FPSS will provide exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, and other team members.
• The FPSS will Maintain discretion, as they are entrusted with a client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation. This confidentiality extends to ensuring client data is secure.
• Reports any exposure to communicable diseases.
• Submits expense vouchers, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date.
• The FPSS will ensure weekly filing of all FPSS documents in client files.
• Conducts frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff, referring case agency and community partners.
• Participates in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
• Position requires lived experience in fostering youth or experience in foster care services

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The FSS provides an additional layer of support dedicated to foster caregivers; the individual is a former foster parent who is trained on the impact of trauma and is also trained in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) treatment.
• The FSS works with IPS clinicians to provide mentorship for new foster caregivers, supporting the collaborative relationship between the IPS clinician and the family.
• FPSS will consult with the IPS supervisor after receiving a referral from an IPS case manager or clinician.
• The FPSS participates in IPS provider, school, clinical, and child and family team meetings with caregivers, providing emotional support and understanding along with advocacy with referring case and state agencies and community partners.
• The FPSS conducts training on DCFS Rules and Procedures related to foster caregiver responsibilities for youth in care.
• The FPSS conducts training on DCFS caregiver rights and processes associated with those rights.
• The FPSS provides resources and will model with caregivers Prudent Parenting/Nurturing Parenting Techniques using a trauma/ARC lens.
• The FPSS advocates for caregivers working with referring agencies and community providers.
• The FPSS teaches foster caregivers how to advocate for themselves and for youths in their care when they must interface with larger systems.
• The FPSS participates in quarterly trauma-informed parenting training groups offered by IPS clinicians to caregivers.
• Assist in the assessment of foster caregivers via the utilization of the Childs and Needs Assessment Tool (CANS).
• The FPSS will conduct weekly home visits and remote sessions with foster caregivers for the facilitation of services as deemed appropriate.
• Provide onsite and virtual crisis support to foster caregivers as needed.
• The FPSS develops and supports monthly foster parent support groups.
• The FPSS will participate in weekly IPS Check-Ins with all state IPS and FPSS teams.
• The FPSS will participate in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This list of essential functions is not intended to be exhaustive. One Hope United reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma required
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Experience

• 1 - 3 years of experience in a foster caregiving role; parenting training and knowledge of DCFS policies and procedures required
• 1 - 3 years of experience in childcare work, Social Services, advocacy work with schools/state & private state holders, mentoring, or equivalent combination of education or experience preferred

Other

• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance required.
• Reliable transportation
• DCFS background clearance

We Invest In You!

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
• Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days ; up to 6 paid Personal Days and up to 5 paid Sick days annually
• Medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, health savings account, and short-term disability options
• Agency paid life up to $50K based on salary
• Voluntary Supplemental Life for Employee, Spouse and Child(ren)
• Voluntary Legal Plans
• Agency paid long term after 1 year of employment
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
• Discounted child care tuition for OHU employees at our highly rated OHU Child Care facilities
• Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations

A Different Kind Of Employer One Hope United is strong and ready to grow. Are you ready to grow with us?

• 800 talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois, Missouri and Florida
• Fiscally stable, $50 Million agency-- strong since 1895
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support

One Hope United does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. One Hope United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. One Hope United participates in e Verify.

In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from One Hope United, you will be required to share proof of a Covid-19 vaccination. The requirement is subject to accommodation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.