Foster Care Licensing Representative

Bethany for Children & Families is looking for a Foster Care Licensing Representative. The Foster Care Licensing Representative is responsible for recruiting, assessing, training, licensing, and providing ongoing support and oversight to foster homes operating under the organization's Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) contracts. This position helps ensure compliance with licensing standards while supporting safe, stable, and nurturing placements for children in foster care. 

Base Salary Range - $55,036.80 - $58,000.00.

What YOU get as the Foster Care Licensing Representative:

• Competitive Compensation,
• Twelve (12) days of vacation earned during the first year of employment with a tiered-system upon meeting year three,
• Eight (8) days of sick earned during the first year of employment with a tiered-system upon meeting year three,
• Eleven (11) paid holidays,
• Agency contributions of a 3% base with up to an additional 3% match calculated on bi-weekly earnings to a 403(b) Thrift Plan (retirement plan) starting the first of the month after the first 90 days of employment,
• Health insurance, 
• Dental insurance,
• Vision insurance (100% employer-paid premiums),
• Group Life Insurance; Basic Life and Basic AD&D (100% employer-paid premiums),
• Options of employee-paid premiums for voluntary supplemental insurance offered, and
• An Educational Aid program.

The Foster Care Licensing Representative Will:

1. Apply a family-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based, culturally responsive, and equity-focused approach in all interactions, assessments, and service delivery. 
2. Recruit, assess, train, license, and provide ongoing support to foster families in accordance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensing standards. 
3. Build and maintain positive relationships with youth, foster parents, birth families (when appropriate), extended family members, natural supports, community partners, and organization staff to promote safety, stability, and permanency. 
4. Recruit prospective foster families through community outreach, networking, presentations, and recruitment events, including occasional evening and weekend activities. 
5. Conduct comprehensive home studies and family assessments for prospective foster parents. 
6. Utilize family engagement tools, including ecomaps and genograms, to identify relatives, fictive kin, and natural supports that strengthen family connections and permanency outcomes. 
7. Provide ongoing consultation and support to foster families to help prevent placement disruptions, promote reunification, support youth development, and ensure child safety and well-being. 
8. Complete all required IDCFS licensing and Relative Certification documentation accurately and within required timeframes. 
9. Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and IDCFS throughout the foster home licensing and approval process. 
10. Maintain complete and accurate foster home records in compliance with IDCFS regulations and organizational policies. 
11. Monitor licensed foster homes through regular contacts and home visits to ensure continued compliance with licensing standards. 
12. Collaborate with supervisors and program staff regarding foster home capacity, placement needs, and licensing status. Respond to placement inquiries during business hours and participate in an on-call or after-hours response as needed. Coordinate and facilitate foster parent training opportunities in partnership with organizational staff and community agencies, including participation in required monthly Bethany training. 
13. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, referral sources, and community partners. 
14. Participate in required meetings, trainings, and professional development activities to maintain knowledge of best practices and licensing requirements. 
15. Support and uphold the organization's mission, values, and strategic goals. 
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

  The Foster Care Licensing Representative shall have: 

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field required; master's degree preferred. 
• Experience licensing and monitoring foster family homes in Illinois. 
• Experience in foster care case management. 
• Successful completion of required Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) foster home licensing examinations. 
• Valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation. 
• Flexibility to work a schedule that meets program needs, including occasional evenings or weekends as required. 
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. 
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Commitment to the organization's mission, values, and team-based approach to service delivery. 
• Ability to meet all employment requirements for Illinois Child Welfare Agency employees, including successful completion of required background clearances (Sex Offender Registry, SACWIS, Illinois State Police, FBI, and the Federal Office of Inspector General) and eligibility for Illinois DCFS certification to transport children.

Ready to Make a Difference?

We can’t wait to meet you! Apply today and become part of a team that’s all about supporting each other, growing together, and making a positive impact in our community.  

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bethany for Children & Families, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, gender identification, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, citizenship status, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic defined by law. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities who share our commitment to keeping children safe, strengthening families, and building healthy communities.