SUBMIT YOUR RESUME

Ellen Ruzich
eruzich@willcountyseniors.org

All resumes should be submitted as a PDF.

Adult Protective Services Support Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:  To inform Will County residents of available opportunities and benefit programs for which they may be eligible, and which will help them maintain their quality of life.

To facilitate access and connecting clients to resources, information, services, and programs by making appropriate referrals, or providing clients and families with the appropriate resource information.                                        

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completed a 2-year associate’s certificate in health, social sciences, social work, health care administration, gerontology, criminal justice OR has 2 years documented experience in the aging field.
• Interested in the needs and welfare of older adults and adults with disabilities.
• Ability to relate to older adults and adults with disabilities.
• Ability to relate to staff in a positive manner.
• Positive cooperative attitude.
• Ability to assess the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities.
• Willingness to serve as an advocate for client’s rights.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to multitask.
• Ability to keep records and independently manage working hours.
• Ability to manage a high volume of incoming phone calls. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives intake information for program participants via phone, fax, email, or in person, and enters the information into Illinois Department on Aging’s Adult Protective Services Portal.
• Provides education on available programs, activities and resources, and assists in obtaining such services.
• Make appropriate referrals for clients based on the reported unmet needs.
• Be knowledgeable of agency programs and community resources.
• Keep track of phone calls for reporting.
• Check messages daily and return phone calls.
• Advocate for client’s well-being.
• Complete required documentation, such as entries into our At-Risk database and the APS Portal.
• Maintain and update At-Risk database that is shared with community partners per the confidentiality agreements in place.
• Attend the required trainings from IDoA and Senior Services of Will County.
• Assist with mailing, copying, and faxing, if needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Caregiver Support Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:  Provides support, service coordination in assessing the needs of caregivers and receivers, and linkage to appropriate services.                                     

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Degree, BSW or degree in related human service field preferred.
• Experience in Social Services or another related field preferred.
• Interests in needs and welfare of older adults
• Ability to relate to older persons and their caregivers
• Ability to relate to staff in a professional manner
• Positive cooperative attitude.
• Ability to assess needs of older persons.
• Willingness to serve as an advocate for client’s rights.
• Willingness to travel while on the job.
• Possess a valid driver’s license in the state of Illinois.
• Access to a vehicle in good mechanical condition and maintain insurance.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to keep records and independently manage time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates in the Family Caregiver Programs, such as Respite, Counseling, Gap Filling, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and is knowledgeable of the Community Care Program (CCP), Managed Care Organizations (MCO) and other special projects.
• Assess client needs including physical, social, health and environmental needs and how these interact by completing in-home assessments.
• Targets services to those aged 60 and over, who have a family caregiver in need of support services.
• Connects individuals to available services and programs in their community which they may qualify.
• Encourages and assists persons to gain access to needed services, including:
  1. Making referrals and providing on-going follow ups to ensure services are inplace.
  1. Assist in completing all necessary forms for state and federal benefit programs
  1. Advocate on behalf of client to gain access to benefit programs.
• Maintains case notes and develops a person-centered care plan for each client.
• Advocates for clients in problem situations and makes all attempts to meet client’s needs including through alternate resources.
• Accepts case assignments as given with due consideration to case load, mileage, and time guidelines.
• Completes TCare Assessments on Caregivers.
• Attends necessary training as provided by the Illinois Department on Aging.
• Participates in case conferences, case planning and implementation, coordination of resources, ensuring alternate services and monitoring client’s progress.
• Assess clients for eligibility for access to additional programs like, home delivered meals.
• Completes daily confidential charting for clients.
• Participates in quality reviews.
• Coordinates with other agencies as needed.
• Cultivates community liaison relationships.
• Expands the service resource network.
• Serves as resource person for persons aged 60 and over and their families in thecommunity.
• Provide education to caregivers and care receivers.
• Facilitate classes, workshops and/or support groups with focus on the dementia friendly community initiative.
• Attend Caregiver Support Program meeting with AgeGuide.
• Keeps statistical client data necessary for appropriate records and reports to manager.
• Projects good image for agency.
• Maintains credibility and integrity of organization.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Adult Protective Services Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:  Investigate Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation cases, prepare documentation of casework, and follow-up as prescribed by the Illinois Department on Aging for older adults and adults with disabilities.                                       

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education Requirements:
  1. Master’s Degree in health, social services, social work, health care administration, gerontology, disability studies, criminal justice or public administration; OR
  1. Registered Nursing license, or a B.S.N. or a B.A./B.S. in health, social sciences, social work, health care administration, gerontology, or criminal justice and one year experience in health or human services; OR
• Interested in needs and welfare of older adults.
• Ability to relate to older persons.
• Ability to relate to staff in a professional manner
• Positive cooperative attitude.
• Ability to assess needs of vulnerable adults.
• Willingness to serve as an advocate for client’s rights.
• Willingness to travel while on the job.
• Possess a valid driver’s license in the state of Illinois.
• Access to a vehicle in good mechanical condition and maintain insurance.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to keep records and independently manage time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receive APS report intakes in accordance with IDOA guidelines.
• Conduct investigation of APS cases in accordance with IDOA guidelines.
• Provide assessment of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect reports (ANE/SN). Conduct face to face assessments of reported cases, determine substantiated cases, refer substantiated cases for necessary support services, and refer criminal conduct to law enforcement in accordance of IDOA guidelines. Determine the need for Early Intervention Services (EIS).
• Maintain complete and detailed case notes. This includes documentation of all client contacts, follow-up and of termination of services.
• Maintain all required department records and complete forms accurately and in a timely manner.
• Complete APS follow-up casework.
• Prepare for annual monitoring of case files.
• Attend appropriate seminars, trainings, and workshops.
• Attend annual Adult Protective Services Conference.
• Keep abreast of current information and practices.
• Work closely with CCP case managers on mutual client cases.
• Utilize information and assistance function whenever appropriate to link clients to needs, services, and benefits.
• Participate in departmental projects including Adult Protective Services (APS), Community Care Program (CCP), Managed Care Organizations (MCO), Caregiver Programs and other special projects.
• Assess client needs including physical, social, health and environmental needs and how these interact by completing in-home assessments.
• Connect individuals to available services and programs in their community which they may qualify.
• Encourage and assist persons to gain access to needed services, including:
  1. Make referrals and provide on-going follow-ups to ensure services are in place.
  1. Assist in completing all necessary forms for state and federal benefit programs
  1. Advocate on behalf of client to gain access to benefit programs.
• Advocate for clients in problem situations, including representing clients in court proceedings, and makes all attempts to meet client’s needs including through alternate resources.
• Accept case assignments as given with due consideration to case load, mileage, and time guidelines.
• Attend necessary training as provided by the Illinois Department on Aging.
• Adhere to federal and state guidelines, policies, and deadlines. 
• Participate in case conferences, case planning and implementation.
• Assess clients for eligibility for access to additional programs.
• Complete daily confidential charting for clients.
• Participate in quality reviews.
• Coordinate with other agencies as needed.
• Cultivate community liaison relationships.
• Expand the service resource network.
• Keep statistical client data necessary for appropriate records and reports to manager.
• Follow agency policies and procedures.
• Project good image for agency.
• Maintain credibility and integrity of organization.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.