Licensing Specialist I, II, III

Position Title: Licensing Specialist I, II, III

Department: Professional Foster Parenting

Reports to: Family Development Supervisor

Position Summary:

As part of a team, the Licensing Specialist develops foster family applicants; assesses their ability to facilitate healing through trauma Informed services and Positive Youth Development; completes the process to license them as foster parents; and monitors their home compliance. Utilizing UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy, the Licensing Specialist provides support to foster parents to facilitate of a safe, permanent family to meet the needs of the child(ren).

Essential Responsibilities:

Foster Family Assessment

• Assesses families who demonstrate the desire and capability to become foster parents.
• Utilizes assessment skills to develop and write home studies for new foster parents.
• Meets consistently with prospective foster families to gather required information.
• Uses knowledge of family dynamics and cultural issues when assessing families.
• Is able to recognize and “counsel out” applicants who are not appropriate for the program.
• Addresses any concerns/questions about suitability and makes recommendations for license issuance.
• Assesses, develops and licenses Adoptive Family Resources who meet the needs of the program.

Documentation and Reporting

• Acquires and completes all licensing materials for new Relative foster parents and ensures their licensure, where appropriate.
• Writes timely, high quality, and accurate Foster Home Study Assessments.
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely records as required by UCAN policy and procedures.
• Maintains a complete and accurate Licensing File for each assigned foster family.
• Documents activity through letters, case notes, licensing monitoring forms, licensing violation forms, etc.
• Completes all forms necessary for processing Foster Family Licenses in a timely manner.
• Clearly documents actions taken in a format that is consistent with licensing requirements.
• Immediately reports critical licensing violations or concerns to Supervisor.

Organization and Planning

• Plans actions and communicates those plans to others as needed.
• Considers foster parents’ schedules and other external factors when planning.
• Keeps information organized and easily accessible.
• Responds quickly to questions regarding foster family homes assigned to them.
• Completes the licensing process of families in a timely manner.
• Assesses efficiency and effectiveness of current licensing procedures and identifies areas for improvement.
• Generates ideas for improving the licensing function, making it more efficient.
• Initiates the incorporation of new and improved methods into own work and/or licensing department procedures.

Outreach and Engagement

• Collaborates with foster care staff and support staff regarding foster home licensing and certification procedures.
• Recruits and maintains foster parents using communication and interpersonal skills.
• Maintains frequent and/or regular communication with assigned foster parents.
• Responds to licensing issues brought to their attention and works with others to resolve licensing compliance issues.
• Establishes positive working relationships with coworkers and foster parents as a member of the professional team.
• Maintains regular monthly telephone contact with assigned foster parents having no client in placement to review their current status, family situation, and their continued interest in UCAN foster care.

Monitoring and Compliance

• Reviews and updates semi-annual Foster Home Compliance form and inventory assessment checklist.
• Enforces compliance of Rule 402 for the licensure of homes.
• Educates foster parents about relevant policies and procedures and enforces their compliance.
• Works with foster parents to resolve licensing compliance issues.
• Utilizes DCFS licensing unit when appropriate.
• Correctly follows licensing procedures: revocation and renewal, address change, capacity change, etc.
• Serves as liaison between UCAN and DCFS regarding foster home licensure or recertification and accreditation status.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, IDCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

Licensing Specialist I

• BSW or BS/BA in Human Service field required
• 2 years of experience working in child welfare casework or 1 year in foster home licensing.
• Child Care Act and 402 Certification
• Licensed Child Welfare Services Employee preferred.

Licensing Specialist II

• BSW or BS/BA in Human Service field with 2+ years of foster home licensing experience.

• MSW or MS/MA in Human Service field with 2 years of experience working in child welfare casework or 1 year in foster home licensing.

• Child Care Act and 402 Certification

• Licensed Child Welfare Services Employee preferred.

Licensing Specialist III

• BSW or BS/BA in Human Service field with 5+ of foster home licensing experience
• MSW or MS/MA in Human Service field with 2+ of foster home licensing experience.
• Child Care Act and 402 Certification
• Licensed Child Welfare Services Employee preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year exemplary performance and team leadership at UCAN as a Licensing Specialist 2.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Has an understanding of Positive Youth Development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing
• Car and valid Illinois driver’s license and insurance required.
• Ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.

Work Environment: This position requires local travel to provide services to clients in their homes and in their community. This position may require the transportation of clients and/or their children.

Work Conditions: This position may require work on weekends, evenings, and overtime.

At UCAN, we prioritize the health and well-being of our team, as it is essential to our mission of serving the community. Our competitive benefits package is designed to help you and your family thrive. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the benefits we offer.

Benefits You Can Choose From:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Retirement Plan (401k) Match
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefits Provided at No Cost to You:

• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Group Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UCAN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages candidates with lived experience and diverse backgrounds to apply.