Child Advocacy Specialist

The Role: The Child Advocate Specialist will serve as a dedicated support for children and youth placed in the Safe Haven Emergency Foster Care Program at One Family Illinois (OFI). This role ensures that each child’s voice is heard, and their physical, emotional, educational, and legal needs are met. The Specialist will collaborate with case managers, foster parents, behavioral health staff, and external partners to ensure timely and trauma-informed services are delivered. 

Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with DCFS caseworkers to assess and address the individual needs of youth in care. 
• Partner with DCFS caseworkers to ensure timely, coordinated services that meet the comprehensive needs of children in care. 
• Engage with DCFS caseworkers to develop and implement care plans that support the safety, stability, and well-being of youth. 
• Collaborate with DCFS caseworkers to assess and address the individual needs of youth in care, including health, behavioral health, educational, and enrichment services. 
• Support the coordination and follow-up of referrals to internal and external providers. 
• Participate in Child and Family Team meetings, court hearings, and Administrative Case Reviews (ACRs) to advocate for youth-centered decisions. 
• Help identify and address gaps or delays in service delivery. 
• Establishes and maintains an environment that promotes integrity and accountability; innovation and collaboration; and a commitment to providing the highest quality of care possible. 
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential documentation in SACWIS, AirTable, and the agency’s internal systems. 
• Track advocacy efforts and service outcomes to inform program improvements and compliance reporting. 
• Support incident response and documentation as needed. 
• Remain knowledgeable of DCFS rules and youth rights under the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. 
• Participate in required training, including trauma-informed care, emergency response, and mandated reporting. 
• Support caregiver orientation and staff training related to youth advocacy and protective factors. 
• Collaborate with the agency's behavioral health, education, and housing teams to ensure holistic care coordination. 
• Performs on-call and all other duties as needed and assigned. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in human services plus experience working in the social service field.  
• Ability to pass DCFS, required criminal background check including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS. Ability to provide required DCFS Medical Report/TB test, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 
• Working knowledge of DCFS policy and procedures and the ability to navigate between government and private agency practices. 
• Knowledge and understanding of program management; experience in project completion. 
• Experience with group work and general skills training and counseling. 
•  Ability to read/write and speak English. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills. 
• Ability to network, interact, and work effectively with high profile individuals in their capacity as donors, funders, board members, and volunteers. 
• Ability and willingness to travel locally using own transportation to client’s homes, agency locations, and other locations as needed. 
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with acceptable driving record, insured and reliable transportation. 
• Ability to relate to others in a sensitive, professional, and courteous manner. 
• Flexible in scheduling, with ability to work evenings or weekends as needed. 
• Ability to meet DCFS requirements as they relate to employment in Child Welfare Agency and Family Advocacy Center, including criminal background check 
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients, community, and staff. 
• Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm-free environment. 
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgement and to handle sensitive and confidential materials. 
• Commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values. 

ADA DISCLAIMER/STATEMENT: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Position responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability. 

ONE FAMILY ILLINOIS is an equal opportunity employer. Employment, assignment, and promotion practices are carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, physical handicap, social handicap, sex, age, or ancestry