POSITION SUMMARY

The Permanency Subsidy Specialist supports children in foster care pursuing permanency by gathering, reviewing, organizing, and maintaining documentation required for adoption assistance and subsidized guardianship applications. The position works in partnership with case managers, supervisors, caregivers, and other stakeholders to prepare, track, and submit required information within established timeframes.

This work is performed in accordance with applicable Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) rules, policies, and procedures. The Permanency Subsidy Specialist supports the documentation and application process; subsidy eligibility determinations and approval decisions remain the responsibility of DCFS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews case progress in coordination with Licensing Supervisors and the Director of Child Welfare and identifies documentation, approvals, and actions needed to prepare cases for adoption or guardianship permanency.
• Maintains working knowledge with DCFS policy and procedures as they apply to the foster care program, legal screen, and adoption and guardianship processes, and supports compliance. Prepares and submits information for IDAH reviews and other monitoring activities.
• Completes and maintains case records in accordance with DCFS requirements, including face-to-face contact, phone contact, and collateral contacts.
•  Attends and completes training required by DCFS, agency policy, or supervisory direction.
• Prepares and submits adoption assistance and subsidized guardianship packets to DCFS and responds to DCFS requests for corrections or additional information within required timeframes.
• Participates in meetings and conference calls with DCFS and other stakeholders as needed, and maintains subsidy, permanency, and tracking systems to document status updates and deadlines.
• Provides caregivers with copies of finalized subsidy packets and shares information about the adoption assistance and subsidized guardianship processes.
• Communicates with caregivers, case managers, DCFS staff, and other stakeholders using family-centered, relationship-based, and trauma-informed practices consistent with agency policies and service standards.
• Updates electronic case management systems, databases, trackers, and other records to document application status, required actions, and case activity.
• Maintains confidentiality of client, caregiver, agency, and case information in accordance with agency policy and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Assists with preparation of documentation requested for audits, quality assurance reviews, licensing reviews, contract monitoring activities, and DCFS reviews.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of child welfare practices, permanency planning, adoption assistance, subsidized guardianship processes, and related documentation requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with children, families, caregivers, and community partners from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare documentation and communicate with caregivers, agency staff, and external partners.
• Must meet DCFS/CANTS Clearance Requirements.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and maintain proof of automobile insurance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, counseling, or a related field required.
• Two (2) years of child welfare experience required, preferably in foster care, permanency, adoption, guardianship, licensing, or case management services.
• Experience preparing Illinois adoption assistance and subsidized guardianship documentation subsidy packets, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage detailed documentation, maintain accurate records, and organize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Child and Residential Experiences), developed by Cornell University, to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed. 

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to successful job performance. 

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention). Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually.
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI principles drive company culture and are essential to job performance.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment but may require travel to agency offices, community locations, DCFS offices, training sites, conferences, and client homes as necessary to fulfill position responsibilities.

The role requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and climb stairs periodically throughout the workday. Duties may involve transporting files, equipment, or materials weighing up to 15 pounds.

Regular local travel is required. Employees must possess a valid driver's license, maintain proof of automobile insurance, and be able to operate a personal vehicle for work-related travel in accordance with agency policy.

Occasional travel outside the employee's primary work location, including overnight and out-of-state travel, may be required for training, conferences, meetings, regulatory activities, or DCFS-related requirements.

Work may occur in a variety of settings, including office environments, community locations, and client residences. Employees may be exposed to varying environmental conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, weather conditions, noise levels, and other factors associated with travel and community-based work activities.

BENEFITS

• Medical insurance with company funded Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 company holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match 
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Optional supplemental benefits including: voluntary life, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to employees and their household members for additional support
• Tuition reimbursement to encourage continued learning and growth
• BenefitHub Perks Program offering valuable employee discounts