Kinship Navigator

State of Indiana • Franklin, IN

7d

About The Position

The Kinship Navigator provides targeted and timely services related to kinship placement and support to improve and sustain youth placement. The role works to decrease kinship disruptions, increase the availability of kinship placements, educate kinship caregivers about Department of Child Services policies and procedures, and connect families with resources throughout the life of a case. The navigator helps kinship caregivers understand children’s needs and their own support needs, provides customer service, and supports Family Case Managers in fostering a kin-first child welfare culture.

The position works primarily from Franklin, Indiana, and serves Johnson County and surrounding counties in central Indiana. Residency in the service area is preferred. Mileage is reimbursed, and augmented pay is provided for on-call hours. The position may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs. The salary traditionally starts at $47,320, with possible adjustment based on education and work experience.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a bachelor’s degree; an associate degree and at least two years of human services job experience; 30 college credit hours from an accredited institution and at least four years of human services job experience; or at least five years of human services job experience.
• Have advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling principles and practices, including treatment methods and theories.
• Have thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
• Have thorough knowledge of related social services programs and the ability to coordinate work among programs.
• Have specialized knowledge of how behavioral sciences relate to client care and treatment and social work project objectives.
• Be able to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect appropriately and effectively.
• Be able to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
• Be able to prepare clear, accurate reports.
• Be able to work sensitively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
• Be able to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and professionals providing appropriate services.
• Be able to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including situations involving confrontational or aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
• Be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Residency in the service area is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage relatives and kinship caregivers as placement options.
• Assist kinship families in accessing resources, financial assistance, and support programs.
• Facilitate family meetings and maintain ongoing communication to strengthen family connections.
• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether incidents are substantiated; and develop recommendations for a Juvenile Court or County Director.
• Assess the risk of additional injury or harm to children, determine whether children are in imminent danger, and remove and place children in a protected environment when warranted.
• Assess the needs of families and children reported to have experienced abuse or neglect to determine treatment options.
• Testify; prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports; maintain case files; and prepare briefing reports for the community child protection team.
• Develop informal adjustment plans to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
• Develop case plans to help families and children achieve self-sufficiency in a safe, nurturing environment and secure a permanent home for the child.
• Develop discharge and transition programming to help families and children attain and maintain self-sufficiency in a safe environment.
• Monitor and assess service capabilities of treatment programs and providers to ensure consistency with case plans.
• Accept on-call responsibility as needed to receive and investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect.
• Conduct home studies and family histories, and recommend adoption placements to an adoption team.
• Visit children in out-of-home placements to coordinate reunification, adoption, or independent-living efforts.
• Maintain data that helps management evaluate family and child needs through trend analysis.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.

Benefits

• Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completing wellness activities
• Health savings account with a bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match
• Two fully funded pension plan options
• Leave policies, including paid New Parent Leave and paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays, or 14 in election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program with covered behavioral health visits
• Eligibility as an employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access
• Mileage reimbursement
• Augmented pay for on-call hours

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level