Program Manager/Supervisor Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral

Position Summary Let It Be Us seeks a highly skilled and mission-driven Program Manager to lead the Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral Program, a critical, statewide initiative designed to identify and refer qualified, licensed Illinois foster homes for children in urgent need of placement.

This role is responsible for overseeing program operations, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with all DCFS regulations and contractual requirements, and advancing strategies that increase the number, quality, and timeliness of placement referrals.

Referrals are generated through: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and partner child welfare agenciesAdoption Listing Service of Illinois, managed by Let It Be Us This is a full-time, hybrid position (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) with in-person meetings in Chicago and the Northern Region.

The position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities Program Leadership & OperationsLead and manage all functions of the Emergency Placement Referral ProgramOversee and supervise a team of approximately five staff with varying levels of social work experienceEnsure timely, high-quality referrals to licensed foster homes across IllinoisMaintain full operational responsibility for the program’s cloud-based foster home database Compliance & ContractsEnsure compliance with all DCFS rules, procedures, and licensing standardsManage and monitor requirements related to:Illinois Child Welfare Agency LicenseDCFS contractsPartner agency agreements Performance & ReportingDevelop and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual program reportsTrack key performance indicators related to referrals, matches, and outcomesIdentify operational barriers and implement solutions to improve efficiency and impact Strategy & InnovationIdentify opportunities to enhance program performance through technology, process improvement, and innovationSupport ongoing development of data-driven and precision-based placement practices Collaboration & CommunicationRepresent the program in internal and external meetings with stakeholders, partners, and agenciesCollaborate across Let It Be Us programs while maintaining clear scope of responsibility Additional ResponsibilitiesLead special projects as assigned by the Executive Director Note: This position oversees the Emergency Placement Referral Program only.

Required QualificationsMaster’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institutionLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in IllinoisMinimum of 5 years of experience in foster care and/or adoption within an Illinois licensed child welfare agencyDemonstrated experience supervising and developing a social work teamStrong commitment to child welfare, foster care, and adoptionPreferred CompetenciesExperience working with data systems, cloud-based platforms, or proprietary technology toolsAbility to analyze workflows and implement improvements that increase efficiency and outcomesExperience managing hybrid or distributed teamsCore SkillsStrong leadership and team managementExcellent written and verbal communicationHigh level of organization and accountabilityAbility to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlinesProfessional judgment, discretion, and problem-solving abilityDemonstrated commitment to treating all individuals with kindness, respect, and professionalismAbout Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois-licensed Child Welfare Agency delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions in foster home recruitment, matching, and placement.

Our core programs include:Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral ProgramAdoption Listing Service of Illinois Foster Home Recruitment Program We operate statewide and are headquartered in the Northern Region of Illinois, working to improve permanency outcomes through precision-based, relational approaches.

How to Apply Please send a cover letter and resume to Susan McConnell, Executive Director, at .