Placement Specialist - 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.

As the initial point of contact with KCI, the Placement Specialist is responsible for the timely and accurate intake, assessment, and coordination of out-of-home care for children at Kids Central Inc., operating within Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and KCI operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure children receive timely, accurate, and complete assessments so they can be matched and maintained in the most appropriate setting (foster care, residential, and acute care behavioral settings)
• Ensure all services identified by the Protective Investigator and/or Case Manager are appropriate and are delivered, authorizing all initial services and requests 
• Assist Protective Investigator and/or Case Manager in developing an initial plan of action, make referrals based on established criteria and standards
• Routinely attend and participate in Children Medical Assessment Team (CMAT), disruptions, and multi-disciplinary staffings
• Assist with the integration and stabilization of the level of care of children into therapeutic care, medical care, and children with disabilities
• Act as liaison between foster parents, case management agencies, and Department of Children and Families staff to ensure appropriate placements are maintained
• Other Duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience

Two years of child welfare experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in human services, behavioral health, or related field from an accredited institution, and one year of experience in human services or child welfare are preferred.  

• Other Requirements

Certification as a Child Protective Professional preferred

Current Background Clearance Screening Letter

Valid Florida driver’s license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to meet Organizational Required Competency standards
• Knowledge of the child welfare system 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to multitask and problem solve
• Ability to work routinely covering the overnight shift, and occasional coverage of the weekend shift
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to assume on-call responsibilities outside normal working hours

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This job regularly operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. 

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, and feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 5 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds.

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