Community Connections Specialist - Bethany : Job Details

Community Connections SpecialistRequisition #: req15225 Location: Granite City, IL Salary Range: $22.00 - 27.50 Hours: Full-Time (40 hours/week) At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the 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. The Family Strengthening Case Manager is primarily responsible for assisting the program with providing intensive in-home case management. Family Strengthening'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 the 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. This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements. ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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 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;
• Attend court hearings, prepare and file all court documents 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 Human Services or equivalent field of study from an accredited college with at least three (3) years of subsequent experience in a child and family welfare agency or a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited college with at least two (2) years of subsequent experience in a child and family welfare agency;
• Master's degree in Social Work or equivalent field of study from an accredited college with at least two (2) years of subsequent experience in a child and family welfare agency, preferred;
• Must be willing and able to obtain a CWEL and CERAP certification 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'slicense with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalfof Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain areliable 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.

Salary disclosure for residents of California,Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, & NewYork* Note: Bethany's compensation plan accounts forgeographical differentials Accepting On-Going Applications Link to full Benefits Package (Total Rewards Guide) ison the Bethany Career Page #LI-KD1