KinConnect Specialist

Hope Children’s Home KinConnect Direct Care & Family/Kin Locator Job Category

Children & Youth Programs

Job Status

Full-time, exempt position Reports to: Branch Director - Cape Girardeau Advisory support provided by: Recruitment Programs Manager Job Summary: The Hope Children’s Home Direct Care & Family/Kin Locator assists house parents in behavioral management and supervision while identifying, locating, and coordinating family/kin resources and community resources for foster children placed at Hope Children’s Home. Responsibilities include supporting daily routines such as meals, hygiene, appointment coordination, transportation, and recreational activities. This position follows a hybrid schedule, working two evenings per week on-site alongside house parents, with up to one full day of remote work when duties can be completed off-site.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to: Follow requirements and policies of the agency, contracts, state regulations, and COA standards Maintain consistent, open communication with direct supervisor regarding services delivered, concerns, or questions Assist in collecting information from relatives/kin to expand the child’s support system and family connections, while identifying potential relative home providers Identify and document a minimum of 50 family/kin per child through diligent search activities, including internet & database searches, child protection and court case file reviews, child and family interviews Maintain up-to-date documentation of client contact and progress in our internal database program. All documentation should occur within two (2) days of family contact Complete and submit all required biweekly statistics by the scheduled supervision every two (2) weeks Ensure well-being assessments are completed when placed at Hope Children’s Home, upon transition from the program, and thirty (30) days post-transition Maintain frequent contact with case managers of children placed at Hope Children’s Home Facilitate communication among team members and provide referring agencies with accurate family documentation, including detailed genograms, family contact information, and identified family supports Build and maintain professional networks by attending meetings with house parent, supervisors, case managers, case manager supervisors, CASA, GAL, DJO, residential staff and other stakeholders. Attend all Family Support Team meetings and court hearings Assist identified family/kin members with preparation for licensure by explaining the licensing process and assisting with home licensing requirements Travel within surrounding counties to conduct home visits and attend meetings, with or without accommodation Coordinate with house parents to ensure children receive required medical, dental, mental health, and educational assessments and treatment services Assist with role-modeling, coaching, and re-direction to help children/youth self-regulate and develop independence in their daily living activities Participate as an active team member with all agency departments (i.e. attend and participate in all scheduled internal meetings as assigned, and professional development trainings) Qualifications & Preferred Skills Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s degree preferred) in social work (preferred) or in related human services field Previous experience working with at-risk populations required Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and proposing new ways of creating efficiencies Outstanding organizational and planning skills Solid commitment to the principles of support and advocacy for foster and adoptive families Collaborate and advocate for positive outcomes, using excellent interpersonal skills in multidisciplinary, diverse, and dynamic professional teams Strong verbal communication skills and demonstrated capability to write clearly and persuasively Demonstrated leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills. Quickly establish rapport and build trust Flexible and a self-starter; multi-task while also being highly detail-oriented while meeting all deadlines Work as a necessary part of a team effort with colleagues of all demographics Model ethical and professional behavior at all times Experience working with marginalized communities with a nuanced understanding of systemic oppression Flexibility and adaptability, shift styles to fit the needs of a wide range of cultures, people, and organizations Flexible in work hours, including a maximum of two evening shifts per week. When evening or weekend appointments are not needed with potential placement providers in a given week, those hours will be worked on-site at Hope Children’s Home supporting the house parents Compensation and Benefits Compensation commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits package including: Highly-competitive health plan Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with generous employer contribution Life insurance and long-term disability provided at no cost to employee Voluntary life and short-term disability options available 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 6% employer match Flexible Spending Account with medical expense and dependent care options Employee Assistance Program Generous paid time off and holidays