Description

The Kinship Support Specialist will provide support to kinship families caring for youth experiencing foster care, conduct initial home assessments, and assist in the foster care licensing process. The support shall include ensuring families are enrolled in services, conducting home monitoring visits, ongoing family support, training, retention support, guidance, conducting interviews and home assessments, and assisting with the licensure process.

Kinship Specialists will be expected to provide exceptional customer service to all involved in a youth’s case, as well as be timely with notes, reports and responses to families. This position requires knowledge of community supports available to families.

Essential Duties & Functions (With or Without Accommodation):

• Contact assigned families per contract requirements
• Conduct initial home visits, identify needs and assist in providing resources and support
• Assist families in enrolling in support programs such as WIC, TANF, fingerprinting, behavioral health services and educational supports
• Complete interviews and write the home assessment for kinship families identified as placement for a youth experiencing foster care
• Conduct monthly and quarterly monitoring and support home visits
• Conduct initial and ongoing home inspections for foster care licensure
• Support kinship families through the licensing process
• Ensure all timelines for home assessments and home studies for licensure are completed per contract requirements
• Ensure all documents required for each family file is complete & current per contract and Chapter 6
• Conduct amendments and renewals on licensed homes within contract requirements and timelines
• Conduct licensing investigations as requested by the Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR) and the Department of Child Safety (DCS)
• Provide initial licensing and ongoing trainings to kinship providers
• Conduct courtesy supervision visits on behalf of DCS for out of county placements
• Assist in adoption certifications and guardianship annual reviews as assigned
• Participate in Aviva lead events as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (With or Without Accommodation):

Knowledge of:

• An understanding of family systems
• An understanding of strength-based home visiting techniques
• An understanding of child and adolescent development and behavior
• A working knowledge of the impact of domestic violence, sexual abuse, child neglect, and substance abuse on families and children
• Easterseals Blake Foundation-Aviva’s missions and the willingness to support its sustainable business practices

Skills:

1. High level of initiative and desire to meet specific goals
2. Outstanding customer service skills, tact, discretion and attention to detail
3. A commitment to excellence.
4. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
5. Must be able to meet training and agency compliance requirements for the position.

Ability to:

• Manage multiple projects, requests, and deadlines simultaneously
• Speak and write effectively
• Work independently
• Teach others using anticipatory guidance, modeling, coaching, reflection, and role-play
• Build strong partnerships with staff, consumers and community service agencies
• Work collaboratively and positively with colleagues
• Prepare written reports and document information accurately and objectively
• Use resources efficiently and wisely
• Work flexible hours to meet the needs and schedule of caregivers; including evenings and weekends
• Acknowledge, respect, and build upon the diversity of families with regard to such factors as race, ethnicity, family constellation, gender, socioeconomic status, values, and traditions
• Recognize abuse and/or neglect in the home.
• Be onsite at Aviva for meetings and appointments as requested.
• Proficient in the use of laptop computer and corresponding programs (i.e. PDF; Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Calendar/Outlook).

Requirements

Experience:

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working with kinship caregivers; this can be a combination of education, experience and completed training necessary for the type of service to be delivered
• Experience in cultural diversity
• Experience in medication and other interventions
• Bilingual preferred

Education:

• High school diploma or GED, Bachelor’s degree preferred

Certification Requirements:

• Obtain and maintain current CPR and First Aid certification

Regulatory:

• Minimum 21 years of age
• Clean criminal background check and the ability to obtain and maintain an AZ DPS Level 1 fingerprint clearance card; card must be obtained prior to delivering services to DCS clients
• Must have a valid, unrestricted Arizona Driver’s License, good driving record, and be willing to use personal vehicle in the course of employment (personal vehicle in safe/operable condition for work related appointments)
• Must meet minimum requirements of agency insurance carrier and provide a 39-month driving record from DMV at time of hire
• Have a clear/negative pre-employment drug test result, as well as a clear/negative random drug test biennially from the date of hire

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk, run, climb, stoop, kneel, sit, stand, reach, stretch, bend, squat, and engage in other physical activities
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs
• Must be able to lift and push up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position
• Must be able to operate a computer, phone and other office equipment

Psychological Requirements:

• Must be able to remain calm, non-defensive with a supportive attitude during stressful, potential crisis, and crisis situations
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment where there are considerable mental and emotional demands. The types of situations that may be encountered, particularly when children and adults are involved, cause emotional stress.
• Must be able to manage fluctuating volumes of case work and unpredictability of work
• Must be able to remain flexible and reprioritize according to the changing demands of the day
• Must be able to manage stress in a fast-paced, unpredictable, intense setting
• Must be able to adapt to diverse cultural environments and communicate in a culturally inclusive manner
• Must be able to represent Aviva and EBF in a professional manner in all situations
• Working Conditions:
• Requires individual to be highly engaged to perform the daily activities of a primarily administrative nature. Requires some typing and writing.

Easterseals Blake Foundation is an EEO/AA/Vet/Disabled Employer