The Adoptions and Permanency Consultant provides clinical case management and expert consultation to families pursuing adoption. They ensure program compliance, maintain detailed documentation, and advocate for the needs of consumers and their families.
Requirements summary
A Bachelor's degree is required, with a preference for a Master's degree and at least two years of experience in child welfare. Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and the ability to travel throughout the designated service area.
Under the direction of the Adoptions/Permanency Supervisor or Division Director of Child Welfare Services, the Adoptions/Permanency Worker is responsible for assisting the Program Supervisor and Director with the smooth and effective operation of the adoption program.
The Adoption staff provides comprehensive clinical case management to individuals and families pursuing adoption/permanency.
The Adoption staff provides adoptive families with expert consultation and training with regards to the adoption process.
The Adoption staff assists in ensuring continuous program compliance with external licensing and regulatory agencies and assists the administrative staff in program development, implementation and evaluation.
The Permanency Worker carries a caseload of no more than sixteen SWAN units of service, which consists of a combination of all the services the worker is eligible to complete (i.e. – Child Profiles, Child Preparation, Family Profiles, Finalization, Post-Permanency Services, Matching/Placement).
The caseloads are developed based on the following criteria: the qualifications and competencies of the worker; the complexity and status of the case; services provided by other professionals and/or co-workers; other organizational responsibilities; client needs.
The following are the essential functions of this position
Communication
Maintains appropriate contact with consumers, natural families, foster parents, and other treatment team members as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
Notifies all participants of consumer meetings, appointments and scheduled visits.
Advocates for the needs of the consumer and natural family to obtain needed resources.
Clearly and effectively communicates all pertinent information to all involved parties as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
Participates in weekly supervision with family services supervisor or Level II SW.
Documentation
Completes all required documentation that includes but is not limited to Child Profiles, Family Profiles, Finalization Supervisory and Individual Permanency Service Plan Reports, Child Preparation Plans, Initial Contact Forms, Meeting Activity Summary Reports, Final Summary Reports etc., in a timely manner.
Documents using agency guidelines and format all contact in chronological order, with consumer, natural family, foster parents and other relevant parties on an ongoing basis, that are submitted via benchmarks on a monthly basis to his/her supervisor for review and processing.
Planning
Attends all required training and pursues other training for professional growth.
Schedules file reviews and visits at times convenient for all involved parties.
Manages time in order to complete both direct service requirements as well as paperwork.
Organizes and prepares for meetings such as Child Preparation Plan meetings.
Works jointly with other agency staff in administrative meetings in the development and review of agency policy and planning.
Participates in performance improvement activities.
Works jointly with other agencies to ensure continuity of care on behalf of the consumer and natural family.
Prepares adequately for weekly supervision to ensure case reviews occur on a consistent basis.
Monitoring
Maintains the appropriate number of training hours as required by local, state and federal regulations.
Assures record keeping is adequate and in conformity with all regulatory funding sources requirements.
Direct Service
Develops and implements Child Preparation Plans or Individual Permanency Service Plans, for example, with input from the consumer, natural family, foster parents, and other relevant parties.
Attends all pertinent meetings, appointments, and hearings on behalf of the consumer and natural family.
Completes permanency service delivery requirements as per local, state and federal regulations.
Assures that consumer’s basic needs are met i.e. social, emotional, educational, physical and safety needs.
Networking
Provides linkage with appropriate community resources by staying current of resources of other systems.
Represents the agency at conferences trainings and meetings.
Consults and collaborates with agency personnel and other external organizations.
Basic skill sets
Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
Ability to define problems, collects data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, consumers, vendors, and the public.
Ability to accurately calculate numbers such as in addition, subtraction and percentages.
Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
Good working knowledge of the Child Welfare System. Knowledge of and ability to navigate other systems.
Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree (required); two years experience (preferred); Master’s Degree (preferred)
Experience: Experience in child welfare. Working knowledge of clinical issues relating to children, adolescent, and/or families.
Physical capabilities and work environment
Ability to walk up and down stairs.
Ability to perform SPMCI Techniques.
Ability to lift 20 lbs.
Ability to operate a calculator and computer
Current valid driver’s license and the willingness to drive through the five county area and beyond.
Requires some flexible work schedule, evening and weekend hours.
Required to carry emergency pager on a rotating basis.
Trauma-Informed Behavior
Ability to exhibit
Willingness to learn and maintain the value of a trauma-informed culture.
Commit to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety, nonviolence, and resilience as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
Knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices
1. Emotional intelligence
2. Effective communication
3. Understanding of the impact of trauma on human development
4. Use of person-first and strengths-based language
Americans with Disabilities
As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individual. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.
Discrimination is prohibited in employment, promotion, assignment or dismissal, on the basis of race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, and handicap, or receipt of services for mental disability.
