Child Specialist, Families Together

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), is a leading not-for-profit organization providing healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities. For over 150 years, LSSI has made a difference in the lives of children and families, and we're still a strong, viable presence in the State of Illinois, continuing that commitment to making a difference.

LSSI is hiring a full-time Families Together Child Specialist, Monday through Friday. Responsible for providing immediate engagement with children entering the program in order to help them understand what has happened, understand next steps as well as to conduct initial assessments. Also responsible for providing and/or coordinating interventions, including TF-CBT.

Benefits And Perks

LSSI is growing! Come be a part of this rewarding environment, and enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping make a positive difference in the lives of others, as well as these career advantages:

• On Demand Flexible Paydays for earned wages through an app called Dayforce Wallet.
• Competitive salary based upon relevant education, experience, and licensure.
• Salary $60,000-$67,000/Annually
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package for Full-time employees includes healthcare insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, sick time, 403(b) plan, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.
• The paid training you need to learn, grow, and succeed!
  
  

Essential Functions

• Provide immediate engagement with children as they enter care, provide trauma-sensitive explanation of what has happened, set expectations along with the foster parent (routines, rules, etc.) and answer questions, including parent contacts.
• Provide comprehensive assessment of client’s physical, developmental, and behavioral health.
• Participate in developing an individualized whole family treatment plan, in conjunction with FT team, child and family.
• Provide and/or coordinate needed services, including providing short-term TF-CBT therapy for the child and designated caretaker, usually the parents as reunification nears.
• Assist with crisis management.
• Complete and submit all required reports, documentation, and billing accurately and timely as required by agency and funding sources, including completion of written reports detailing client’s progress as required by applicable policies/procedures and/or when required by juvenile court.
• Demonstrate professional, positive behavior and carry out responsibilities with integrity, treating clients, families, other LSSI workforce members, and collaborative organizations and/or individual in a dignified, respectful, honest, and fair manner.
  
  

Position Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related human services field required.
• Holds the licensed clinical social work (LCSW) credential or its equivalent OR is eligible for a clinical license and working toward completion required.
• Certified in IM CANs, or available to participate in IM CANs training / certification required.
• Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), or available to participate in TF-CBT training and certification required.
• Background check clearance, both criminal and CANTS required.
• Demonstrated ability to engage children in a trauma sensitive and supportive fashion, including engaging in the assessment process.
• Knowledgeable of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and its applications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team approach.
• Excellent organization, presentation, and pc/computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.
• Valid driver’s license, in good standing for the state of residency required.
• Access to reliable transportation required.
• Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury, and property damage required.
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.