The Role:

Reports to the assigned team Child Welfare Supervisor. Communicates with the foster care team, DCFS, and other agencies as it relates to services for natural parents and youth in care. Develops a case file on each youth and family, which includes necessary forms, all correspondence, case history, and court records. The primary duty of the Bilingual Case Management Assistant is to provide case management administrative support as well as visitation between parents and youth in care.

Responsibilities:

• Schedules meetings and visits with youth and family, communicating directly with involved parties.
• Obtains required reports and case documents from families and service providers.
• Receives and responds to routine requests for information and documents.
• Receives and responds to routine inquiries from youth and family and/or the public by telephone and/or correspondence regarding case information, services, and/or programs.
• Provides clerical assistance at child-family team meetings and hearings by taking notes, providing follow-up questions to case managers and the youth and family, and keeping track of documents.
• Maintain youth and family files and case information.
• Communicates with agency staff for the purposes of coordinating case information.
• Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
• Participate in agency meetings and training.
• Participate in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement.
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect.
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences.
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment.
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery.
• Keep up to date with changes in DCFS and SOS Illinois Policies, Rules and Procedures by attending training and reading written information provided by the agency.
• Attend and participate in supervision regularly.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, 1-2 years of college education or associate’s degree preferred.
• Proficient speaking, reading and writing skills in English and Spanish.
• Experience working with youth in an educational setting, who present behavioral, educational and emotional challenges preferred.
• Social service, advocacy, or educational experience; working with foster care or similar programs and services a plus.
• Ability to pass DCFS required criminal background check including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation, as the position will be split between Villages and will be involved within the communities.
• Willingness to travel within the community and to the various agency sites.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evening and weekends. Schedule may regularly be later mornings to evenings on weekdays and weekends depending on activities scheduled. Schedule to be finalized with the supervisor.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff.
• Ability to relate to the Agency staff and to the public in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to work in a team environment with strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment and to handle sensitive and confidential materials.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm-free environment.
• Commitment to SOS Children’s Villages Illinois philosophy and mission.

ADA STATEMENT: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Position responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

SOS Children’s Villages Illinois is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment with SOS Children’s Villages Illinois without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.