ARC Worker

Description

Job Title: Adoption Resource Consultant (ARC) Worker

Unit/Service: Adoption

Reports To: Adoption Resource Consultant Supervisor

Position Summary: Within the framework of the agency’s mission, policies, procedures, and resources, the Consultant is responsible for providing short term, recruitment specific activities and development of an individualized adoption plan to children who are waiting for a family. Duties are to be completed in compliance with current Child Placing Agency Rules, contractual or grant obligations and/or any additional applicable accreditation standards.

Requirements

Qualifications: Adoption Resource Consultant (ARC) shall have a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in social work or a related field, with previous child welfare experience and demonstrated expertise in developing permanent life-long connections for children in foster care.

Other Criteria The ARC Shall Have Are As Follows

• The ability to effectively facilitate difficult conversations in which participants have strongly different opinions or perspectives.
• Knowledge about the Michigan foster care system, the adoption process, child welfare system and MDHHS adoption processes.
• Strong verbal, written and public speaking skills necessary to positively and effectively communicate the projects’ purpose, work and results and write reports i.e. Individual Adoption Readiness Assessment Recruitment Plans, etc.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with government institutions such as MDHHS, private agencies, community organizations, social networks and stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from a variety of racial/ethnic backgrounds.
  
  

In Addition, The ARC Shall Possess The Following Skills

• Organizational skills, including attention to details
• Ability to effectively run meetings, including efficient use of an agenda, remaining focused, and encouraging participation.
• Experience in developing training curricula and training sessions.
• Ability to convey enthusiasm and lead people around a project.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict and remain calm and respectful in dealing with difference in perspective/opinions.
• Ability to meet deadlines for deliverables and demonstrated educational experience and background necessary to successfully accomplish the identified activities/task/work.
• Passed all required, applicable state and federal background checks to have contact with children and families served through this contract.
  
  

Major Responsibilities

• Developing curricula and training DHS and private adoption agencies.
• Development of Individual Adoption Plan.
• Review cases of all children referred by Adoption Program Office.
• Write and distribute initial case review outcomes
• Track progress and update spreadsheet which is submitted to Adoption Program Office on a monthly basis.
• Determine services needed to prepare youth/families for adoptive placement.
• Maintain contact with workers to ensure follow through on assigned activities.
• Participate in weekly individual supervision and team meetings.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
• Professionally represents the agency with internal and external customers.
• Participates in scheduled agency meetings.
• Attends and participates in assigned external agency meetings.