Description

Caseworker IV – Kinship Navigator

EDUCATION

A Master’s Degree in Social Work or other human services discipline is required with 2 years of child welfare experience or A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other human service discipline with 5 to 10 years of child welfare experience.

EXPERIENCE

Must have at least two years of direct experience with children and families in either a job related or volunteer capacity.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

None

STATUS

Full-time, regular; non-exempt

RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for providing kinship focused services while working directly out of an ACCYF regional office. The Kinship Navigator will assist ACCYF Caseworkers in situations where a child has the potential to be removed or is in the process of an emergency removal through helping to identify an appropriate kinship option. The Kinship Navigator will be responsible for assessing viable kinship options, educating the family about the placement process, assessing the immediate family needs, and recommending an appropriate kin placement for the ACCYF Caseworker to complete the placement.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work directly with ACCYF Caseworkers to identify kinship resources when a family becomes known to ACCYF.

• Receive phone calls from ACCYF Caseworkers that are in the process of removing a child or children

• Contact potential kinship caregivers using information from the ACCYF Caseworker’s family documentation, Accurint search, Family Finding, paralegals, Prothonotary, social networks and Allegheny County Jail website.

• Complete a phone assessment on potential kinship caregivers to confirm their ability to adequately care for the child(ren) and meet their needs.

• Obtain demographic information including all information required to complete the criminal background form (OCYF 399) and forward this information to the Criminal Investigation Unit to run the potential caregivers’ criminal clearance.

• Refer the kinship home to ASCI’s Intake Department no later than 24 hours following the removal. In addition, refer the child to the State Wide Adoption Network (SWAN)

• If a Kinship option is not immediately available upon removal the Kinship Navigator will locate a Kinship Focused ASCI Respite Home as a temporary option and continue to work to locate a viable kinship option within 30 days of the removal.

• Complete all required documentation to demonstrate kinship assessments and placement efforts as deemed appropriate which is inclusive of documentation in KIDS.

REQUIREMENTS

*Registered and insured vehicle

*Certificate of Insurance for vehicle

*Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License

*Current Act 33 and Police Clearances

*Available to work 8:30am to 4:30pm at a ACCYF Office

*Available to work flexible schedule

*Work on-call hours

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Must have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; must demonstrate leadership skills and qualities; must possess the knowledge of foster care services and client/family needs; must possess excellent clinical skills. Must possess a passion for kinship care and ability to work collaboratively with ACCYF.