Permanency Specialist

Minimum Education and Licensure/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a Human Service field from an accredited college or university

Minimum Job Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age

• Must pass a drug screen, MVR, KBI, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Clearance check and an Adult Registry Check

• FBI fingerprint check

• Lifting Requirements of 50 lbs.

• Must have valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation

Client Population Served

• Demonstrates competence and continues training in age-specific competencies for infant through adult clients

Minimum Work Experience

• Prefer two years’ experience working with children and families

Required Skills,

Knowledge, and Abilities

Mandated reporter

• Receives training in trauma informed practice and incorporates knowledge in day to day practice

• Ability to work flexible schedule including on-call

• Understanding of family centered practice, genograms, ecomaps, and social histories

• Understanding of the child welfare and state system

• Ability to engage families in working relationships

• Understanding of child and adolescent development

• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to travel throughout the State

• Consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules and regulations

• Handles multiple priorities

• Independent discretion/decision making within the scope and responsibility of the position

• Manages emotions and can make decisions under pressure

• Manages stress appropriately

• Works alone effectively

• Works in close proximity to others and/or in a distracting environment

• Works with others effectively/teamwork

• Ability to work with diverse populations

• Understands and practices Universal Precautions

Essential Functions

• Completes initial and ongoing assessments by gathering information from, children and their families, and collaterals.

• Responsible for initial contact of children within 4 hours of referral and subsequent placement.

• Researches and recommends possible relative placements, giving them priority, whenever viable.

• Facilitates and coordinates family meetings.

• Develops and implements case plans and permanency goals with children and families, ensuring that goals are reached within established time frames

• Determines and recommends which services are needed for the child and family, including mental health, drug and alcohol services, respite care and supervised or unsupervised visitations/interactions

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• Assists families to establish a support network of family, kinship, and community.

• Preparing families and/or children for moves, reunification or other appropriate permanency goals.

• Provides intervention for children and families in crisis situations.

• Ability to work with the court system and follow court protocols including appropriate business attire.

• Assesses ongoing case plan goals and recommends reunification, termination of parental rights or other permanency options.

• Completes reports for court, participates in court participates in court proceedings, including testifying, and makes sure court orders are followed.

• Completes and maintains written documentation in child/family’s case record accurately and within established time frames.

• Supports kinship and foster families to maintain placements and help children work toward permanency.

• If child’s permanency goal becomes adoption, complete necessary documents to assist in the adoption process.

• Participates in supervisory and team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/families’ progress, critical trends, barriers and solutions to achieving outcomes; and relationships with other agencies/communities.

• Participate in weekly group or individual supervision.

• Works collaboratively and provides guidance to family support workers assigned.

• Supervises and transports children and families as needed.

• Reports critical incidents to DCF verbally within 12 hours, written within 24 hours.

• Implements Saint Francis Ministries policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent Saint Francis Ministries Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), rules, personnel policies and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms.

• Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures.

• Reports unusual incidents through appropriate Risk Management, clinical and safety channels.

• Ensures clients’ rights are protected.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.23 - $26.01 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• On call

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wichita, KS 67218