Adoptions Specialist

Chsfl•Pensacola, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Adoptions Specialist is accountable for providing specialized adoption support services to dependency staff and children and families in care. Overall, the Adoptions Specialist contributes to CHS’s strategic objective of reimagining what HOME means by creating spaces where every child and family is supported and has access to the opportunities they need to pursue their dreams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, required.
Child Welfare Case Management certification, required.
Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire with daily access to a reliable and insured vehicle, required.
Two years of professionally related experience, required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in the Human Sciences field, preferred.
Experience training or supervising foster parents, preferred.
Experience working with children with special needs, preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide specialized adoption support services to the dependency team and children and families in care.
Facilitate adoptions from referral through finalization, including case management, documentation, court testimony, and compliance with judicial requirements.
Conduct in-person and virtual child studies, home studies (including second-level reviews), diligent searches, and Family Match assessments.
Coordinate and complete permanency plans, sibling visitation agreements, and aftercare planning, including Independent Living services.
Manage case records, databases, and subsidy files; ensure accuracy and compliance with performance measures.
Conduct initial and ongoing check-ins with children and families pre- and post-placement to identify support needs.
Counsel and prepare children, foster parents, adoptive families, and birth parents for adoption; provide resources, training, and guidance.
Facilitate “get to know the child” meetings, disclosure meetings, and supervised visits between children and matched families.
Complete required post-adoption visits, ongoing follow-up, and collaboration with youth team members to ensure stability.
Maintain updated contact lists of children available for adoption and share child studies with partners (e.g., Selfless Love).
Coordinate with legal staff, case managers, schools, and community partners to support child well-being.
Attend staffings, multidisciplinary meetings, and court hearings; ensure all required documentation and disclosures are completed.
Develop a strong knowledge base and stay current on job-related issues, best practices, and trends.
Participate actively in departmental meetings, training and education, as well as the quality process.
Comply with CHS’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and other obligations.
Assist with training other team members and providing back-up when necessary.
Pick up projects on the fly; perform other duties as assigned from time to time.