Community Connections Specialist

Community Connections Specialist

Requisition #: req16218

Location: Lisle, IL

Hours: Full-time (40 hrs/week)

Salary Range: $25 - $26/hourly

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families providethe strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

Family Strengthening Program's purpose is to maintain and strengthen family units by providing in-home services designed to prevent children from entering the foster care system. This program works with family strengths, monitors family dynamics, provides linkages to community resources, assists with housing or school issues, and provides information regarding child development and age-appropriate behavior and discipline, as well as general case management services. Emphasis is on child safety and keeping the family together.

The Community Connections Specialist is a preventative care position focused on working with families for approximately 30 days to provide resources and support. The role includes:

• Cold calling and door-to-door outreach to connect with families in need
• A small caseload providing in-home services and provide resources for families who sign up for additional support
• Completion of a 5-hour training session upon hire to ensure readiness for the role

This position will serve clients in Kendall County, IL and is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements. The Community Connections Specialist will also be required to report to our Lisle office at least once per week.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage in cold calling and door-to-door community outreach to raise awareness of our services among families;
• Conduct house visits to meet with families at various hours of the day as scheduled in some neighborhoods categorized as potentially high-risk;
• Serve as a resource of information between all parties involved in the case and identified stakeholders regarding medical, educational and mental health providers;
• Conduct visits with children, parents and/or caregivers that include the on-going assessment of child safety, permanency and well-being;
• Conduct case management with Child Welfare Services (CWS) cases, as needed;
• Develop and implement a 30-day plan that meets the needs of the children and the family;
• Perform case management responsibilities in accordance with state and federal laws, Department of Children and Families Administrative Codes and Operating Procedures, funding source policies and internal policies on child abuse, abandonment, and neglect within required timeframes;
• Travel on a regular basis to external parties;
• Demonstrate flexibility with working hours outside of the normal business hours to meet the needs of the role to include some evenings and weekends, as needed;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or related field of study from an accredited college;
• Must be willing and able to complete 5-hour DCFS training upon hire;
• Must possess the ability to engage, develop, and maintain positive community relationships with a diverse group of individuals;
• Demonstrates excellent assessment, therapeutic and crisis intervention skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
• Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

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