Education and Enrichment Specialist

Description

At One Family Illinois, we uphold compassion, inclusion, integrity, and adaptability as the core values guiding our work with each other, children, families, and the community.

Why One Family Illinois?

At One Family Illinois (Formerly SOS Children's Villages Illinois) we are committed to keeping brothers and sisters in foster care together by providing safe, stable, and loving homes. We do this by offering an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care provides a private, single-family home, access to a community center, and support from professionally trained Foster Parents and staff. With this, the children we serve benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring One Family Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community.

·         Work for an impactful organization with a purpose

·         Corporate culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion

·         Hybrid/flexible work options to help balance work and life

·         PTO (paid time off in the form of personal days, sick time, vacation days, and paid company holidays

·         Bonus Plan for Child Welfare Specialists

·         Employee Referral Bonuses

Employee Well-Being Benefits

·         Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligible the first of the following month after 30 o  

          FT employment)

·         Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings

·         Flexible PTO

·         Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

·         403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In 

          addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you   

          are contributing.

·         Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program

·         Access to financial advisors and financial education tools

·         Tuition reimbursement options

·         Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional 

          development 

The Role:  The Full-Time Education & Enrichment Specialist is responsible for providing educational support and enrichment activities for One Family Illinois youth in care across the Safe Haven Program and Sibling Foster Care Program. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Advocates for the in school educational and social supports of children and young adults in the Safe Haven Program and Sibling Foster Care Program including assisting in initiating/ following up with IEP/504/MTSS services.
2. Provides weekly 1:1 check-in meetings with school-age youth in Safe Haven program to build trusting, respectful relationships with youth.
3. Works with DCFS caseworkers to identify previous schools of youth in Safe Haven and initiate conversations with schools to provide support to Safe Haven youth.
4. Grows and maintains relationships with local schools and community partners.
5. Monitors progress reports and report card grades and assist in pairing youth with educational assistance, such as tutoring, when needed.
6. Communicates regularly with teachers, school counselors, school social workers, and principals to ensure our youth are being supported educationally, emotionally, and socially in the classroom.
7. Develops, enhances, implements, and oversees enrichment programs to enhance the lives of the children and families, including after-school programs and summer activities inclusive of life skills, self-awareness, self-esteem, arts and culture, and donor/corporate activities.
8. Develops, maintains, and supports community partnerships to offer programming and service opportunities for youth, and networking purposes. 
9. Works with the Professional Foster Parents in the Safe Haven Program and Sibling Foster Care Program, the Village Program Director, the Village Program Assistant, the Advancement Department, the Clinical Department, and members of the Village Administrative Team regarding client and community needs and service availability.
10. Identifies community recreational, cultural enrichment, psychological, health care, mentoring, and social service programming for children and families.
11. Helps transition youth moving into and out of the Safe Haven Program and Sibling Foster Care Program by providing introductions, opportunities to participate in activities, and access to important resources in their communities.
12. Assists in coordinating Special Events at the Villages.
13. Works with the Education & Enrichment Manager to create and manag budgets for the department for activities, programs, and events.
14. Works with foster and biological parents to ensure that children who need additional services are linked to appropriate resources.
15. Maintains tracking systems and provides periodic reports. Tracks and evaluates the success of the programs implemented to regularly assess and provide recommendations for improvements.
16. Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Education, or related field.

2. Two years of related experience providing services to youth who present behavioral, educational and/or emotional challenges.

3. Ability to build strong, trusting, caring relationships with youth of diverse backgrounds that allow youth to feel seen, heard, and respected.

4. Flexibility, creativity, and ability to think on your feet

5. Experience working with schools, specifically Chicago Public Schools, a plus.

6. Experience working with youth who have experienced trauma a plus.

7. Foster Care experience, SACWIS user and CWEL preferred.

8. Ability to pass DCFS required criminal background check including CANTS/LEADS and SORS.

9. Valid Illinois driver’s license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation.

10. Willingness to travel within the community and to the various agency sites.

11. Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends.

12. Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff.

13. Ability to relate to the Agency staff and to the public in a courteous and professional manner.

14. Ability to work in a team environment.

15. Strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills.

16. Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.

17. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials.

18. Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks.

19. Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free environment.

20. Commitment to One Family Illinois philosophy and mission.