Adoption Case Manager I - Child Welfare

Do you enjoy helping others?  Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children?  Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future.   However sometimes children, and their families, need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

This position is responsible for continuity of care, with the goal of permanent adoptive placement for children through a case management model that includes developing, expanding, accessing and linking resources in the community to meet the needs of the child(ren) throughout the child’s experience in the system, while documenting progress. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed below satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides on-going case management services until the adoption process is completed.
• Provide a variety of adoption related services for all children awaiting adoption.
• Coordinates child-specific recruitment plans with Adoption Supervisor and Case Manager.
• Arranges match meetings involving potential adoptive families and other parties involved in the care of the child.
• Completes adoptive home studies and home study updates for prospective adoptive families.
• Provides case management services for children waiting for adoptive placement, consulting with the Adoption Supervisor I/II as to specific requirements, reporting and timelines.
• Authors child studies and, as directed, home studies.
• Completes adoption-related paperwork for review by Adoption Supervisor in a timely manner.
• Presents in court as appropriate and required. Ensures all legal/judicial work is prepared timely and in accordance with Florida Statue.

This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive.  Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree preferred. Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.  If degree is in an unrelated field, must be eligible for a waiver. Eligible college or university degrees must be awarded by an institution accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the Federal Department of Education and/or Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The college or university must have been accredited at the time the degree was awarded. 

Licensure/Certifications

• Child Welfare Certification preferred but not required at time of hire. Must obtain and maintain certification in good standings within one year of employment. 
• Must maintain a clear criminal background and driving record.
• Must maintain and show proof of the appropriate automobile insurance limits ($100,000/$300,000) per Florida Statutes. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to work in a highly visible position and use effective interpersonal communication skills to respond to children and their families, and legal entities (i.e. judges, law enforcement, CLS etc.). 
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to document timely in a clear, concise manner. 
• Must be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with abstract and concrete variables. 
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. 
• General office equipment such as phone, copier, computer, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  

• Indoor, temperature controlled, smoke-free environment. Outdoor exposure.
• Moderate noise level.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Good visual acuity and ability to communicate.
• Ability to lift, lower, push, pull and retrieve objects weighing a minimum of 20 pounds.   Reasonable assistance may be requested when lifting, pushing and/or pulling which exceeds the minimum requirements.
• Ability to withstand prolong standing and walking.   Also able to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach, stoop, bend, and/or kneel during an 8–12 hour day.  

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Our mission is, “Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities”.  Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus Counties.  We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect.  Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law.  Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Kids Central, Inc. provides a comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V