Internship

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is seeking motivated individuals for an Internship - Child Welfare Specialist opportunity in Aurora, IL. This immersive program offers invaluable hands-on experience within our Foster Care Program, focusing on critical areas such as case management, service coordination, and dedicated client advocacy. Interns will play a vital role in promoting the safety and well-being of children and families in our care, contributing to our mission of healing, justice, and wholeness.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Supervising parent/child visitation sessions to ensure child safety and appropriate interaction, as applicable.
• Actively participating in team meetings and supervision sessions for case progress review and guidance.
• Assisting in the assessment of family needs and connecting families with relevant community resources.
• Supporting caseworkers in monitoring service participation and the well-being of children.
• Collaborating with schools, healthcare providers, and other service agencies to foster positive outcomes for children.
• Facilitating family-child team meetings and case staffing's.
• Aiding with accurate and timely documentation, data entry, and report preparation.
• Strictly maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to all organizational policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a closely related field.
• Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• A genuine interest in working with children and families in a supportive environment.
• Availability for group supervision, team meetings, and agency trainings.
• Willingness to work one evening per week.
• Must possess current car insurance.
• Comfort and willingness to supervise parent-child visits, including intervention when necessary, after a training period.
• Comfort with conducting in-home family visits.
• Ability to pass a criminal and CANTS (DCFS) background check.
• Proactive attitude with a demonstrated initiative to learn and grow.