What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kinship Support Specialist position at Bethany Christian Services?
Requisition # : req14946
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.
As a Kinship Support Specialist, you will be primarily responsible for assisting and promoting a “kin first” culture and practices that prioritizes supporting kin caregivers. You will provide kinship caregivers with information, education, and referrals to a wide range of services and supports. Your main goal is to maximize Bethany kinship caregivers’ ability to provide safe, stable placement and, if needed, permanency for children placed in their home. You must have knowledge of the child welfare system, court proceedings and foster care licensing process.
This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.
As a Kinship Support Specialist, you will be primarily responsible for assisting and promoting a “kin first” culture and practices that prioritizes supporting kin caregivers. You will provide kinship caregivers with information, education, and referrals to a wide range of services and supports. Your main goal is to maximize Bethany kinship caregivers’ ability to provide safe, stable placement and, if needed, permanency for children placed in their home. You must have knowledge of the child welfare system, court proceedings and foster care licensing process.
This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Provide all new kinship caregivers with initial orientation to program services and the child welfare system;
- Conduct a strengths and needs assessment for all new kinship caregivers and provide information, referrals, and follow-up services to kinship caregivers based on assessment to connect them to both internal and external supports and benefits needed for themselves or the children in their home;
- Conduct training for agency staff and community providers regarding understanding the unique needs of kinship caregivers and effectively supporting them;
- Promote effective partnerships among public and private agencies, including schools, community-based or faith-based organizations, and relevant government agencies, to ensure kinship caregiver families are well supported and able to access the services they need;
- Facilitate monthly support group and regular relevant training opportunities specifically for kinship caregivers;
- Develop Kinship Advisory Board to provide input and guidance to help the program improve or expand services to better meet identified needs and challenges facing kinship caregivers;
- Assist kinship families with navigating eligibility and enrollment information for federal, state, and local benefits;
- Support outreach to kinship care families by establishing, distributing, and updating a kinship care resource guide, or other relevant guides or outreach materials;
- Proactively connect and engage with kinship caregivers to provide supportive listening and encouragement to kinship caregivers as they parent children through kinship care;
- Carry out active outreach to engage kinship care families, identifying those not involved in support groups and other supportive services and/or in need of additional support;
- Assist kinship caregivers in utilizing identified networks of support (based on Family Finding genogram or 30 Days to Family® Roadmap to Family) to ensure children and caregivers are meaningfully connected to identified sources of support;
- Stay up-to-date on relevant resources, best practices, and research regarding supporting and serving kinship caregivers in child welfare effectively;
- Complete other duties as assigned.
- High School Diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field of study from an accredited college, preferred;
- Prior professional and/or lived experience working within the child welfare system or with kinship caregivers, strongly preferred;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Must possess the ability to engage, and communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals;
- Must possess excellent observation, and organizational skills;
- Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
- Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
- Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
- Complete DCWL licensing and compliant certification training;
- Complete Pressley Ridge training and implement the training with kinship caregivers;
- Participate in the 30 Days to Family discussions and training;
- Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
- Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage.
- Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
- Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment.
