Respite Specialist

FamilyCore understands that strong families are at the heart of any vibrant, tight-knit community. Through the mission of "instilling hope by creating the right balance of resources and care to foster and equip healthy productive children and families," our 90 dedicated employees are committed to the investment of strengthening families with the tools and ties to succeed.

Our team works with schools, the court system and other social service agencies to connect counseling, intervention, preventative education, and other support services for families in need. FamilyCore, a private, non-profit, nationally accredited social service agency with over 120 years of service, takes a holistic approach in its continuum of care, often providing boosts of support to multiple generations. The end goal is to maintain the integrity of the family.

Be a part of this goal by joining the FamilyCore Team!

• Benefits for Full-Time Employees:
• Newly hired employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following one month of service
• Robust Medical (Option of HMO or HDHP/PPO), Dental and Vision Benefits
• Employer funded Health Savings Account
• Basic Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability & Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Holidays, including a Floating Holiday
• Additional Paid Leave for All Workers Act Leave (For Full-time and Part-time Employees)
• Culture supporting Work/Life Balance
• 401k Plan (3% Employer Contribution After Vested)
• Professional Development Opportunities, including Tuition Reimbursement
• Health, Wellness and Financial Educational Resources
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program

About this Role:

The respite program has two components: Day Respite for Suspended Youth and Supportive Respite
for Adoptive Families. During Day Respite for Suspended Youth staff provide supervision, guidance, tutoring, and social
skills lessons to ensure the youth is in a safe, structured environment, and appropriately engaged while spending time out
of school. Supportive Respite for Adoptive Families includes a summer day camp, parent's night out activities, and day
camp activities on holiday breaks from school. During these times, staff recruit youth to participate in the program and
provide recreational and social opportunities to youth who have been adopted or achieved guardianship through DCFS.

Responsibilities:

• Provide close supervision of youth. Assist in homework assignments, resolving conflict in a respectful
  manner, processes and problem solves reasons they are out of school, encourage and mentor students.
  Tutor students as necessary. Teach developmental age-appropriate social skill lessons.
• Plan and facilitate program activities.
• Working knowledge of de-escalation techniques and methods.
• Maintain a calm, structured, clean environment.
• Ability to organize and maintain data and confidential information.
• Obtain parental permission and develop effective working relationships with them.
• Adhere to standards adopted through the Council on Accreditation.
• Identify, locate and refer students and parents to appropriate community resources to meet identified
  needs.
• Complete Illinois Department of Children and Family Services billing and reporting as required. Assist
  with compiling information for site visits.
• Safe transportation of youth and parents.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with all internal and external clients.
• Secure and administer medication as needed and complete documentation as required.
• Monitor and purchase program supplies as necessary utilizing FamilyCore credit card protocols.
• Work in other positions and departments as needed, as cross-trained.
• Ensure safety protocols and policies are practiced at all times.
• Assume responsibility for professional development and cultural competency.
• *Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1-3 years of experience required.

Competency:

• Ability to facilitate and manage groups of varied-age students.
• Flexibility required to successfully manage daily changes in population of youth served.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Basic academic skills required.
• Basic proficiency in MS Word and Excel required. PowerPoint is preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Must complete child passenger safety training.
• Strong interpersonal, problem solving, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with clients.
• Ability to organize and maintain data and confidential information.
• Ability to establish and maintain a client focus.
• Utilize time tracking software and all other software required to fulfill duties.
• Must possess valid Illinois Driver's License in good standing, and proof of valid vehicle insurance.
• Ability to operate 7 and 15 passenger vans.
• Safe, reliable personal vehicle, to be used for FamilyCore business, including transporting clients.
• Must pass background check with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
• Must pass background checks with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Health Care Worker
  Registry, and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services OIG Provider Sanctions.
• Ability to be sensitive and understanding of cultural and lifestyle differences of all people regardless of
  race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or background.
• Successfully complete FamilyCore training as required.

Physical:

• Frequently move about the office environment, including walking or standing as needed to complete job
  duties.
• Regular use of hands and fingers to type, handle documents, or operate office technology.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as a multi-line phone, computer (single or dual
  monitors), printer, copier, and fax machine.
• Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stoop, bend, or reach overhead during routine office
  tasks.
• Occasionally lift or move items up to 10 pounds that are part of typical office operations.
• Perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment:

• Work occurs in and out of an office environment. Frequently exposed to loud noise and outdoor weather
  conditions.
• May be subject to distraction and interruptions. May be subject to difficult client interactions that involve
  behavioral and/or emotional challenges.
  
  

FamilyCore is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

*Clarification for 'Other duties as assigned': This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: Applicable law does not allow FamilyCore to hire/employ persons that have been declared a sexually dangerous person or that have been convicted of certain crimes. (See, e.g. 89 Ill. Adm. Code 385.10 et seq. for further detail).