Family & Permanency Specialist

The Salvation Army Eastern Territory • Allentown, PA

2d

About The Position

The Salvation Army Children’s Services mission is “Doing the Most Good by Nurturing Children, Strengthening Families and Engaging Communities”. We do this by protecting and caring for every child, building caregiver capacity through trauma informed education and support and partnering with local community organizations that have a heart for foster care and adoption. The Salvation Army has a long rich history of serving the community and offers innovative programs that meet the diverse needs of children, youth and families. The Family & Permanency Specialist will provide post permanency services for the Adoption unit to help support permanency for children. This position will provide Post Permanency service units referred by The PA Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN) including advocacy, case management and support group services to adopted children, youth and their families. The Post-Permanency Services Worker facilitates supportive services for adoptive, kinship, and guardianship families to promote long-term stability and well-being after permanency is achieved. This role works closely with families to assess needs, coordinate resources, and provide trauma-informed, strengths-based support through case management, referrals, education, and connection to community services. The worker collaborates with internal teams and community partners to reduce disruptions, strengthen family relationships, and ensure families feel supported as challenges arise. Strong communication skills, cultural humility, and a commitment to supporting children and families with complex needs are essential. Additionally, the Permanency Specialist will have the opportunity to gain experience understanding and utilizing the principles of Trust Based Relational Intervention© that support healing and permanency for families and children.

Requirements

• Masters in Social Work or related field Preferred and Bachelors in Social Work or related field required.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in a human service setting serving children and/or families.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the effects that separation and loss, neglect, physical and sexual abuse have on a child as well as complex developmental trauma.
• Training in Trauma Informed Care.
• Knowledge of Trust Based Relational Intervention Principles.
• A safe driving record, valid driver’s license, a reliable automobile, and insurance are required.
• Flexibility in scheduling work hours is necessary to meet the needs of children and families.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, engagement skills, advocacy skills, organization skills, computer skills and ability to work as a team member is critical.
• Child Protection Clearances PA Act 153 requires that all prospective employees complete the following clearance and background checks: PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check and FBI Criminal Record/Fingerprint Check.
• Must have an understanding of and appreciation for the Mission of The Salvation Army.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in foster care and adoption settings preferred.
• Experience in foster care and permanency services providing child and family services a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide post permanency services for the Adoption unit to help support permanency for children.
• Provide Post Permanency service units referred by The PA Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN) including advocacy, case management and support group services to adopted children, youth and their families.
• Facilitate supportive services for adoptive, kinship, and guardianship families to promote long-term stability and well-being after permanency is achieved.
• Assess needs, coordinate resources, and provide trauma-informed, strengths-based support through case management, referrals, education, and connection to community services.
• Collaborate with internal teams and community partners to reduce disruptions, strengthen family relationships, and ensure families feel supported as challenges arise.
• Gain experience understanding and utilizing the principles of Trust Based Relational Intervention© that support healing and permanency for families and children.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off every year that includes: holidays, vacation time and sick time.
• Employer funded Pension Plan (company contributions begin after 1 year of employment)
• Eligibility for supplemental insurance plans including Short Term Disability, AFLAC and Voluntary Term Life
• a job with a good purpose!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees