Patrice Meals, LSW,MSW

Field Instructor Fall 2022 -present

• Leads a team of direct service licensing professionals in partnership with children, caregivers and community providers to support safety, permanency and well-being outcomes while engaged in out of home care.
• Implementation of individualized and targeted training for prospective and existing families through management and direction of staff responsible for providing services for this population. (This includes pre-service, implementation plan, orientation, and ongoing training. )
• Collaborate with multi disciplinary teams and partners for continuous quality improvement, interventions, service delivery and the achievement of program outcomes.(This includes assessment and evaluation of foster parent concerns, needs, and satisfaction with service.)
• Represents, markets and promotes the program vision, goals and works toward growth, development and alignment across the site, region and other areas of jurisdiction. (This includes seeking referrals, providing updated list serves of resource availability, responding/representing for agency broadcast, program/ process development, solution-focused barrier elimination, recruitment and appreciation events.)
• Provides effective supervision, mediation, problem resolution, oversight and crisis response to staff by effectively responding to foster parent, the LCFS child welfare team, workforce and other stakeholder concerns. (This includes on-call support.)
• Assesses and maintains knowledge of child welfare and population specific laws, policies and trends for recommending program adjustments and implementation that supports program effectiveness, children, families and communities.
• Manages the quantity and quality of recruiting foster/adoptive parents. (This includes tracking and reporting outcomes monthly at a minimum.
• Manage the process for licensing files creation, maintenance and archival. (This includes renewals, quality reviews, transfers and closures.)
• Oversee and direct licensing activities in the territory assigned to include the successful completion of home of relative, traditional and specialized licensure, home study assessments, monitoring visits, milestone changes and additional activities as described Child Care Act and 402 Rule/ Procedure.
• Oversee licensing complaint investigations and revocation processes
• Provide oversight, input and supervisory action and consultation to staff regarding safety, permanency, wellbeing, and overall Agency performance outcomes. (This includes measuring and achieving performance on key performance indicator metrics/dashboards, etc.)
• Assist in the monitoring and compliance of Agency’s workforce, fiscal, budgeting, operational goals and requirements.
• Perform supervisory licensing management activities such as assignment, transfer, closings and assessment of workloads, issue analysis and practice recommendations.
• Exercise discretion and judgment (under supervision) in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules and regulations
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the within the values, philosophy, policies procedures and scope of the duties enumerated above.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of risk and safety assessment, effective parenting strategies and planning to prevent risk of child abuse, neglect and assurance of child safety.
• Ability to write, prepare and give clear, actionable. accurate, and comprehensive feedback for reports or documents.
• Knowledge of the medical and mental health diagnosis, treatment methodologies and crisis intervention for high risk situations
• Knowledge of readiness of change, grief, human development and the impact of trauma.
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of a change agent and interventions needed for a successful helping relationship and maintenance of confidentiality
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills, be detail oriented with highly effective verbal, facilitation and written communication skills
• Ability to develop skills and the skills of others via training, application and supervision.
• Knowledge and ability to be open and accepting of other’s ethnicities, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE)
• Proficiency in the usage of computer software; demonstrate an understanding of computer file systems and databases, e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc

• all duties in job description above with the following additions
• over 40 counties
• Supervised sub departments of ICPC(Interstate Compact) assessing foster parents viability that were out of state
• approving home studies
• Supervised sub departments of Extended Family Support assisting families with various community resources to prevent children from entering into the foster care system

Monitors all licensing applications to ensure that they are processed and submitted to DCFS in an accurate and timely manner.
Monitors all 6 month evaluations of foster/relative homes. Monitors all renewals of foster/relative homes.
Assists supervisor in monitoring the quality and quantity of licensing services provided by the workers.
Reviews licensing materials and studies written by downstate staff.
Processes all licensing documentation for adoption staff.
Prepares and distributes listing of foster homes available for placement to other units.
Works effectively with other Child Welfare units to monitor foster parent performance.
Provides assistance and consultation to downstate supervisors and licensing staff.
Conducts foster parent surveys regarding foster parent concerns, needs, and satisfaction with service.
Assists in training sessions and support groups of foster parents.

• Implements client service plan and evaluate progress, with regular supervision of the Specialized Foster Care Supervisor.
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources which is used in serving clients.
• Represents clients’ needs and Agency interest to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system and governmental agencies.
• Attends all court dates, ACR’s and other staffing on behalf of the client.
• Meets with supervisor weekly for supervision of caseload.
• Performs the required duties of the position within the philosophy, policies and procedures of the agency.
• Manages time and workload effectively, including the timely completion of all necessary paperwork including
• statistics.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development by attending trainings within and outside the agency.
• Works effectively with the child welfare team including the supervisor, counselors, other case workers, and aids.
• Develops effective working relationships with Foster Parents, Biological Parents and other important people in the child’s life.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

1.Demonstrate understanding of the line of authority within the Agency.

2. Demonstrate understanding of the purpose of the caseworker position in relation to the other team members of the Foster Care staff.

3. Demonstrate good writing skills for case notes and documents concerning records of the clients.

4. Demonstrate the ability to relate well to a wide variety of personalities.

5. Demonstrate cultural competency.

6. Keeps information confidential.

7. Demonstrate good organizational skills to keep files in order.

8. Demonstrate the willingness to take training and supervision well.

9. Demonstrate good communication skills to work effectively as part of the team.

10. Demonstrate a positive, supportive attitude in relating to staff and clients.

11. Demonstrate the ability to be open and accepting of other’s ethnicities, races and genders.

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Child Welfare Specialist I: Entry level-Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Child Welfare Specialist II: MSW or related graduate degree (refer to DCFS Policy) or Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years of Child Welfare Experience

Child Welfare Specialist III: MSW or related graduate degree with 5 years of related experience or Bachelor’s Degree with 7 years of related experience.

Monitors all licensing applications to ensure that they are processed and submitted to DCFS in an accurate and timely manner. Monitors all 6 month evaluations of foster/relative homes. Monitors all renewals of foster/relative homes. Assists supervisor in monitoring the quality and quantity of licensing services provided by the workers. Reviews licensing materials and studies written by downstate staff. Processes all licensing documentation for adoption staff. Prepares and distributes listing of foster homes available for placement to other units. Works effectively with other Child Welfare units to monitor foster parent performance. Provides assistance and consultation to downstate supervisors and licensing staff. Conducts foster parent surveys regarding foster parent concerns, needs, and satisfaction with service. Assists in training sessions and support groups of foster parents.

• Implements client service plan and evaluate progress, with regular supervision of the Specialized Foster Care Supervisor.
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources which is used in serving clients.
• Represents clients’ needs and Agency interest to referral sources, DCFS, the judicial system and governmental agencies.
• Attends all court dates, ACR’s and other staffing on behalf of the client.
• Meets with supervisor weekly for supervision of caseload.
• Performs the required duties of the position within the philosophy, policies and procedures of the agency.
• Manages time and workload effectively, including the timely completion of all necessary paperwork including
• statistics.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development by attending trainings within and outside the agency.
• Works effectively with the child welfare team including the supervisor, counselors, other case workers, and aids.
• Develops effective working relationships with Foster Parents, Biological Parents and other important people in the child’s life.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES1.Demonstrate understanding of the line of authority within the Agency.

2. Demonstrate understanding of the purpose of the caseworker position in relation to the other team members of the Foster Care staff.

3. Demonstrate good writing skills for case notes and documents concerning records of the clients.

4. Demonstrate the ability to relate well to a wide variety of personalities.

5. Demonstrate cultural competency.

6. Keeps information confidential.

7. Demonstrate good organizational skills to keep files in order.

8. Demonstrate the willingness to take training and supervision well.

9. Demonstrate good communication skills to work effectively as part of the team.

10. Demonstrate a positive, supportive attitude in relating to staff and clients.11. Demonstrate the ability to be open and accepting of other’s ethnicities, races and genders.

• Provides mentoring/tutoring services
• Ability to observe and submit accurate written documentation regarding the interaction
• Must be responsible, organized, personable and enjoys working with children have the dedication to help them succeed in life
• Provide feedback to youth using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage, motivate, or build confidence in themselves
• Organize a tutoring environment to promote productivity and learning.
• Develop teaching or training materials, such as handouts, study materials, or quizzes
• Communicates youths' progress and/or struggles to the youth, parents and the primary IPS team clinician assigned to the case in written case notes, in person, by phone, or by email
• Has a good driving record
• Attends and participates in monthly mentoring meeting and training sessions as required by the specific job or department
• Submits expense vouchers, renewed driver's license, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date
• Responsible to be reliable and flexible to the programs in terms of hours worked and submitting accurate timesheets; contacts Supervisor for any change in schedule or approving overtime hours worked