Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), is a leading not-for-profit organization providing healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities. For over 150 years, LSSI has made a difference in the lives of children and families, and we're still a strong, viable presence in the State of Illinois, continuing that commitment to making a difference.
LSSI is hiring a full-time Families Together Parent Advocate Specialist. Under the supervision of the Families Together (F2G) Team Leader, the position provides immediate engagement with parents to listen to their stories in their own words, answer questions, set and support parent/child contact, support the parent negotiating the child welfare system, and help set up for parenting success. Plays a key role in the lives of parents, children and families. Engages parents in an evidence-based parenting program delivered internationally that is shown to change families’ lives with rewarding outcomes.
Schedule:
Tuesday through Friday from 11am-7pm
Saturday from 9am-5pm
Benefits and Perks:
LSSI is growing! Come be a part of this rewarding environment, and enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping make a positive difference in the lives of others, as well as these career advantages:
- On Demand Flexible Paydays for earned wages through an app called Dayforce Wallet.
- Competitive salary based upon relevant education, experience and licensure.
- Salary $54,000-$63,500/Annually.
- Opportunity for advancement.
- Comprehensive benefits package for Full-Time employees includes healthcare insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, sick time, 403(b) plan, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.
- The paid training you need to learn, grow, and succeed!
Essential Functions:
- Provides immediate engagement with parents to assess and support them in reunifying the family.
- Participates in developing an individualized whole family treatment plan, in conjunction with the F2G team, child and family.
- Recruits for, organizes and delivers the evidence-based parenting program (GenerationPMTO) to promote family reunification, and ensures that parents engage in the change process.
- Sets up, coaches and supervises when needed, ongoing contact and visits between the parent(s) and their child(ren), including virtual calls/meetings, in person activities and regular parenting tasks such as school, medical needs, dental needs.
- Strengthens and learns new clinical skills and strategies generalizable across practice settings. Participates in a training process that is strengths-based and builds cohesion amongst team members. Supervises and directs the activities of the Parent Peer Specialist.
- Completes and submits all required reports, tracking information and documentation accurately and timely as required by agency and funding sources, including completion of written reports detailing client’s progress as required by applicable policies/procedures and/or when required by juvenile court.
Position Qualifications:
- Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, counseling, education, or other related field.
- A related Master’s degree is preferred, but not required.
- Will participate in GenerationPMTO training and certification program.
- All training provided by LSSI.
- Strong assessment skills.
- Demonstrated ability to engage parents, including meeting both virtually and in person, and belief in family change.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a team approach.
- Excellent communication, organization, presentation and pc/computer skills (including proficiency with Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) along with other related software.
- Valid Illinois driver’s license in good standing. Access to reliable transportation for meetings, visits and to transport clients as needed. Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury and property damage.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.