Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a nonprofit organization that has worked to improve the well-being of children, youth, families, and people with developmental disabilities across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 provides prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, medical and mental health services, and programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

A career with Little Flower can be rewarding in so many ways. We are looking for conscientious and caring people who are ready to commit to the work of strengthening families and supporting the well-being of children and adults with developmental disabilities. If you’re looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, we hope you will consider joining our team.

Specialized Adoption Recruiter

Responsible for facilitating the matches of foster children with appropriate families for adoption by utilizing Child-Focused Recruitment Strategies. Performs both field and office work in handling recruitment activities for the agency. Work involves extensive outreach, education, and recruitment efforts regarding an identified caseload of children awaiting adoption and potential adoptive families. The employee may be required to use his or her own vehicle in carrying out field assignments. Work involves interviewing and counseling individuals, gathering information and providing services to meet child’s needs, focusing on adoption planning; and transmitting information on cases through completion of agency and governmental documents. Work is reviewed through conferences with the Director of Adoption and Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Contacts the child’s caseworker and gather initial referral information
• Meets with child on a monthly basis including one-on-one and in person
• Conducts in-depth review of existing case file within 30 days of accepting the referral
• Documents the following:
• Date and reason child entered the system
• Child’s most recent profile/assessment
• Chronological placement history
• Significant services provided currently or in the past
• Identification of needed services
• Significant people in child’s life past and present; including caseworker, foster parent, attorney, teacher, therapist, relative, mentor, extracurricular activity leader, faith-based representative, etc.
• Determines the child’s strengths, challenges, desires, and preparedness for adoption and child’s needs through the adoption recruitment and transition process. A written assessment should be developed initially within 90 days from accepting the referral and updated on a quarterly basis
• Meets with significant adults and maintain regular and ongoing contact (caseworker, foster parent, attorney, teacher, therapist, relative, mentor, faith-based representative, extracurricular activity leader, etc.)
• Conducts regular monthly contact with the child’s caseworker
• Attends Service Planning Meetings and case conferences relating to child’s permanency
• Utilizes the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Child-Focused Recruitment Strategy
• Develops a comprehensive recruitment plan based on interviews with significant adults, file review, and the input of the child.
• Reviews and updates recruitment plan on a quarterly basis
• Conducts a diligent search of potential adoptive families including people with past and current connections to the child
• Conducts aggressive follow-up with connections identified, with the knowledge and approval of the child’s caseworker
• Provides adoption preparation for children and families, assists in transition planning
• Documents recruitment efforts in Child Trends database for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids and in Connections
• Completes bi-annual report for Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
• Advocates for the values of a diverse population within Little Flower and the Community
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor
• Attends all mandated trainings as determined by Little Flower and Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
• Attends schedule weekly conferences with supervisor to specifically discuss case activities and to review workers’ interventions.
• Performs all additional duties as required and assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree Social Work (preferred), Human Services or related field
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in Childcare and Foster Care Home-finding responsibilities. Time spent in internships also considered. Ability to establish and build collaborative partnerships with foster families and community partners
• Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, case documentation, and strong oral and written communication abilities. Some experience in public relations preferable
• Must possess strong human relations skills to communicate and work effectively within a culturally diverse work environment and community

Travel Requirements:

• This position is located in Brooklyn, NY.
• Travel within the five boroughs and Long Island is required.

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected group status