Professional Family Support Worker

Responsibilities

• Maintains youth and family records by completing required visitation records and assists with file maintenance.
• Ensures appropriate structure and boundaries between children and adults during transportation and observes and reports youth’s actions and interactions during family visits.
• Keeps accurate and complete records of destinations, mileage, and expenses.
• Keeps accurate and complete DCFS Visitation Records that includes information related to family visits.
• Provides mentoring and support in various areas of positive youth development.
• Supervises parent-child interaction where appropriate.
• Supports the safety and well-being of youth by providing appropriate limits and modeling and reinforcing positive behaviors.
• Engages in weekly visits with the youth and completes all required documentation on time.
• Serves as a liaison between community resources, UCAN, and the youth.
• Reports emergencies, unusual incidents, or signs of abuse and neglect immediately to UCAN staff.
• Facilitates mentoring group sessions for positive youth development.
• Attends staff meetings, training, and other job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license and insurance.
• Ability to hear and speak well enough to supervise children near streets and in crosswalks.
• Ability to compose all required documentation following specific formats where available.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., carry non-walking children and toy boxes, walk upstairs in the absence of elevators, run after children, and communicate with children, youth, and adults in a courteous and professional manner.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice and Positive Youth Development.
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication, and report writing.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.
• Experience driving an extended distance outside of the Cook County area.