Family Support & Community Resources Social Worker (LSW/LCSW)

Position Summary

Rise Up for Autism (RUFA) is seeking a compassionate, resourceful, and family-centered Licensed Social Worker (LSW or LCSW) to join our growing team. This role supports children with autism and their families by addressing social, emotional, and environmental factors that impact treatment success.

The Family Support & Community Resources Social Worker serves as a bridge between families, clinicians, schools, healthcare providers, and community agencies. The position provides case management, care coordination, resource navigation, caregiver support, crisis intervention, and advocacy to improve family stability and maximize successful participation in ABA therapy.

This is not a psychotherapy role. Instead, the focus is on empowering families through education, coordination, advocacy, and connection to community resources.

Family Case Management

• Conduct comprehensive family needs assessments.
• Identify barriers that interfere with treatment participation.
• Develop individualized family support plans.
• Coordinate services across healthcare, educational, and community systems.
• Monitor family progress and update support plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation.

Care Coordination

• Collaborate with BCBAs, RBTs, physicians, schools, therapists, and community providers.
• Coordinate referrals for speech, occupational, physical therapy, psychology, psychiatry, developmental pediatrics, and specialty services.
• Facilitate communication among providers.

Resource Navigation

• Assist families with Medicaid and insurance resources.
• Connect families with food, housing, transportation, utility, childcare, employment, respite care, and financial assistance resources.
• Link families with autism-specific organizations and community programs.

Parent & Caregiver Support

• Provide emotional support and guidance.
• Educate families regarding available resources.
• Encourage parent participation in treatment planning.
• Support caregivers experiencing stress or burnout.

School Collaboration & Advocacy

• Assist families with school communication.
• Support participation in IEP and 504 meetings when appropriate.
• Assist with school transitions and community inclusion planning.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

• Screen for food insecurity, housing instability, transportation limitations, financial hardship, employment concerns, insurance challenges, language barriers, healthcare access, and caregiver stress.
• Coordinate referrals to address identified needs.

Crisis Support

• Provide short-term support during family crises.
• Coordinate referrals for housing, domestic violence, mental health, grief, financial emergencies, and child welfare concerns.
• Comply with mandated reporting requirements.

Community Outreach

• Develop partnerships with schools, pediatricians, hospitals, early intervention providers, community organizations, and disability advocacy groups.
• Represent RUFA at community events and resource fairs.

Family Education Programs

• Develop workshops on autism, ABA services, Medicaid, behavior strategies, school advocacy, transition planning, community resources, and caregiver wellness.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain documentation in accordance with HIPAA and organizational standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain licensure and continuing education.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW).
• Current Illinois LSW or LCSW license.
• Minimum two years of experience in healthcare, pediatrics, behavioral health, or community-based services.
• Knowledge of Chicagoland community resources.
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and commercial insurance.
• Experience in pediatric healthcare or ABA.
• Bilingual (Spanish or Arabic) preferred.

Skills

• Family engagement
• Case management
• Care coordination
• Resource navigation
• Advocacy
• Community outreach
• Crisis intervention
• Documentation
• Cultural competency
• Problem-solving
• Time management

Physical Requirements

• Travel between RUFA locations and community agencies.
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and conduct community visits.

Why Join RUFA?

At Rise Up for Autism, we believe supporting a child means supporting the entire family. As our Family Support & Community Resources Social Worker, you will help families overcome barriers, access critical resources, and achieve meaningful outcomes alongside our clinical team while helping build an innovative family support program.