Program Manager/Supervisor Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral Program

Let It Be Us seeks a highly skilled and mission-driven Program Manager to lead the Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral Program, a critical, statewide initiative designed to identify and refer qualified, licensed Illinois foster homes for children in urgent need of placement.

This role is responsible for overseeing program operations, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with all DCFS regulations and contractual requirements, and advancing strategies that increase the number, quality, and timeliness of placement referrals.

Referrals are generated through:

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and partner child welfare agencies
• Adoption Listing Service of Illinois, managed by Let It Be Us

This is a full-time, hybrid position (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) with in-person meetings in Chicago and the Northern Region. The position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead and manage all functions of the Emergency Placement Referral Program
• Oversee and supervise a team of approximately five staff with varying levels of social work experience
• Ensure timely, high-quality referrals to licensed foster homes across Illinois
• Maintain full operational responsibility for the program’s cloud-based foster home database

Compliance & Contracts

• Ensure compliance with all DCFS rules, procedures, and licensing standards
• Manage and monitor requirements related to:
• Illinois Child Welfare Agency License
• DCFS contracts
• Partner agency agreements

Performance & Reporting

• Develop and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual program reports
• Track key performance indicators related to referrals, matches, and outcomes
• Identify operational barriers and implement solutions to improve efficiency and impact

Strategy & Innovation

• Identify opportunities to enhance program performance through technology, process improvement, and innovation
• Support ongoing development of data-driven and precision-based placement practices

Collaboration & Communication

• Represent the program in internal and external meetings with stakeholders, partners, and agencies
• Collaborate across Let It Be Us programs while maintaining clear scope of responsibility

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead special projects as assigned by the Executive Director

Note: This position oversees the Emergency Placement Referral Program only.

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in foster care and/or adoption within an Illinois licensed child welfare agency
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing a social work team
• Strong commitment to child welfare, foster care, and adoption

• Experience working with data systems, cloud-based platforms, or proprietary technology tools
• Ability to analyze workflows and implement improvements that increase efficiency and outcomes
• Experience managing hybrid or distributed teams

• Strong leadership and team management
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• High level of organization and accountability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Professional judgment, discretion, and problem-solving ability
• Demonstrated commitment to treating all individuals with kindness, respect, and professionalism
  

Let It Be Us is an Illinois-licensed Child Welfare Agency delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions in foster home recruitment, matching, and placement.

Our core programs include:

• Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral Program
• Adoption Listing Service of Illinois
• Foster Home Recruitment Program

We operate statewide and are headquartered in the Northern Region of Illinois, working to improve permanency outcomes through precision-based, relational approaches.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to Susan McConnell, Executive Director, at susanmcconnell@letitbeus.org.