Safe Haven Program Supervisor

The Role: 

The Program Supervisor plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the smooth, 24/7 operation of the agency’s’ Safe Haven Emergency Foster Care Program. This position is the primary point of contact for all intake calls from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), manages home readiness, monitors placement data, supports foster families, and ensures coordination among internal and external stakeholders. The Program Supervisor ensures children are safely and efficiently placed into care, with a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach to service delivery. 

Responsibilities: 

Intake Management Coordination 

• Serve as the primary contact for all Safe Haven program intake calls from DCFS. 
• Coordinate real-time response and placement decisions 24/7, including after-hours intake processing. 
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of intake information and completion of required documentation. 
• Maintain consistent communication with DCFS gatekeepers, investigators, and permanent workers. 

Placement Readiness & Home Management 

• Confirm and coordinate that foster homes are “flipped” and fully prepared prior to youth intake. 
• Conduct home readiness assessments with professional foster parents and respite providers. 
• Maintain up-to-date inventory of bed availability, staffing schedules, and relief coverage. 

Program Supervision & Support 

• Supervise Child Advocacy Specialists assigned to the Safe Haven program. 
• Oversee daily operations and ensure foster homes are compliant with DCFS licensing standards and program guidelines. 
• Ensure implementation of safety and supervision plans and coordinate Unusual Incident Reports (UIRs). 

Scheduling & Relief Coordination 

• Manage schedules for professional foster parents and respite support providers. 
• Ensure 24/7 coverage is maintained, including planned and emergency relief support. 
• Maintain on-call rotation logs and track stipends. 

Data Tracking Reporting & Documentation 

• Maintain real-time data on placements, capacity, transitions, and critical incidents. 
• Submit monthly activity reports detailing: 
• Number of youth placements 
• Transitions to kinship or permanent homes 
• Family and sibling visitation tracking 
• Ensure documentation aligns with billing and contract compliance requirements (CFS1042, etc.). 

Collaboration & Communication 

• Coordinate and disseminate DCFS contact updates to foster families, the Program Director, and internal staff. 
• Support communication for Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTMs) as needed. 
• Work collaboratively with internal clinical, education, and advocacy teams to support holistic service planning. 
• Performs on-call and all other duties as needed and assigned. 

Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field required. (Potential exception to be made if candidate is enrolled in a Master’s program with additional work experience in the field). 
• Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) required. 
• 3+ years of experience in foster care, case coordination, or child welfare intake. 
• Familiarity with DCFS protocols, Rule 402, and Emergency Resource Home standards. 
• Availability for 24/7 on-call duties and crisis response management. 
• 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. 
• Spanish/English Bilingual Capacity (read, write, and speak) required. 
• 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; the agency’s 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 
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials. 
• 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.