Kinship Specialist

Overview:
The 4Kids4Families Kinship Specialist is responsible for conducting assessments, working towards permanency plans, and coordinating efforts to ensure the well-being and stability of children in foster care. They will also collaborate with families, foster parents, and a variety of stakeholders to achieve the goal of permanency for each child. The position assures that kinship caregivers and foster parents are provided the opportunity to participate in the development of child plans that address child safety, permanency, and wellbeing issues.

Benefits Include:
Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options, including HSA match for qualifying contributions.

Parental Paid Leave

Retirement savings plan with company match.

Paid time off and vacation pay.

Mileage reimbursement.

Tuition reimbursement available.

Company sponsored learning and development

Responsibilities:
Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Assist kinship caregivers in providing a safe, nurturing environment for children in their care.

Ability to work in an emotion-filled environment which may require conducting home visits in isolated or high crime areas and may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions.

Advocate for kinship caregivers, collaborating with legal and court systems, ensuring timely court appearances if required, and providing necessary documentation for court hearings.

Assess the need for placement, safety, family strengths and needs.

Provide training to better support the kinship families and children.

Establish a regional network and becomes an expert in the knowledge of community services and resources available to kinship caregivers, coordinates these services and resources for kinship caregivers to facilitate and maintain kinship placements for children in the conservatorship of Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS).

Provide crisis intervention and support services as needed for children and families to maintain placement stability.

Maintain detailed and accurate case records, documenting all interactions, assessments, and decisions in compliance with agency policies and legal requirements.

Provide 24-hour, on-call support to the children/families served. Provide crisis intervention, when required.

Provide training as required to include process, skills, and practice on preparing children and family for adoption.

Discuss issues of separation and loss for the child, family, and caregivers.

Provide input to CPS staff on best practice philosophy in the area of kinship care.

Ability to travel and attend family visits as well as other work-related appointments and meetings after 5PM.

Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours when necessary.

Demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Work with kinship placements to help guide them through becoming licensed as a foster home.

Complete kinship home studies on possibly kinship families for placements.

Complete initial Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) home studies for relatives looking to be placement for an Out of State youth.

Perform all duties within contract, state and federal regulations, company policy, and regulatory agency standards.

May be required to drive vehicles, be insurable with our auto insurance provider, and complete company vehicle training.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field required. 2-3 years’ experience working with kinship/fictive kin placements and foster youth, preferred. Previous experience in child welfare, foster care, or adoption services is a plus. Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in child welfare. State licensure or certification may be required.

---