Adoption Specialist

CHILDRENS NETWORK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LLC•Fort Myers, FL

2d•$61,236 - $0•Onsite

About The Position

The Adoption Specialist oversees and promotes adoption recruitment and retention activities within the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. The role develops and implements adoption recruitment and retention activities, participates in Quality Management activities, identifies System of Care needs, and provides technical assistance and guidance to Case Management Organizations and other stakeholders. The position monitors adoption performance and compliance, reviews adoption home study and subsidy packets, processes enhanced subsidy requests, participates in case staffings, and maintains adoption and post-adoption records and reports. It also chairs the Adoption Applicant Review Committee, coordinates and provides adoption-related training, manages adoption exchange and internet systems, and supports publicity activities with the Community Development and Communications Director. The Adoption Specialist provides expertise and technical assistance on applicable laws, policies, procedures, and best practices; supports quality improvement and performance reporting; and participates in child safety reviews and program monitoring. The role requires travel within and outside Circuit 20, including Lee, Charlotte, Collier, and Hendry/Glades counties. The work is administrative and performed in an indoor office environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; official transcripts are mandatory.
At least four years of related experience in a child welfare-related field.
Meet Children’s Network requirements for certification as a credentialed Child Welfare Case Manager within one year of hire, unless management grants an exemption.
Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance; a clean driver’s license check is required annually.
Must pass criminal background screening, including fingerprinting and local law enforcement and FBI/FDLE checks; a Level II background check is also specified.
Must pass drug screening.
Excellent case management and organizational skills.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including fax, telephone, calculator, computer, scanner, printer, copier, and mail machine.
Competence with Microsoft Office Suite programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, and Outlook.
Competence with basic email procedures, including sending, receiving, replying, attachments, and meeting scheduling.
Excellent written and oral communication, listening, teamwork, and multicultural workplace skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to read and interpret business and professional materials, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information and answer questions.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, calculate rates, ratios, and percentages, and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Ability to work collaboratively, maintain an appropriate helping role, intervene appropriately, and set limits.
Ability to sit for extended periods; walk, stand, use hands, reach, stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk and hear; and visually read and operate standard office machines.
Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Child welfare certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor Case Management Organizations’ compliance with adoption performance measures.
Review adoption home study and subsidy packets for compliance and approval.
Process enhanced subsidy requests.
Conduct twice-monthly staffing of cases in adoption units and participate in required staffings, including sibling separation and family selection.
Compile the Adoption Monthly report and develop regular monthly management and performance reports.
Maintain databases of post-adoption cases and local families available for adoption.
Review abuse reports concerning post-adoptive families and ensure appropriate follow-up.
Chair the Adoption Applicant Review Committee.
Develop and implement adoption recruitment and retention activities.
Coordinate and provide adoption-related training for staff, and identify System of Care training needs and resources.
Provide technical assistance on federal and state laws, rules, programmatic matters, and procedures; identify assistance needs and provide adoption program expertise.
Support implementation of best practices, System of Care procedures, and new policies and procedures.
Manage the Adoption Exchange System and other internet adoption systems.
Coordinate publicity activities with the Community Development and Communications Director.
Participate in the Quality Management System, child safety reviews, program monitoring, and quality improvement systems.
Use FSFN reports to provide analysis and participate in required state and federal reporting.
Support adoption-related Performance Improvement Plans and Local Performance Improvement Plans, and work toward stated performance goals.
Travel within and outside Circuit 20 as required.
Complete required annual training: 15 hours, or 20 hours for a Certified Child Welfare Professional.
Perform other activities as needed and undertake special projects as requested.