Kinship Navigator

State of Indiana•Shelbyville, IN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kinship Navigator provides timely, targeted services to support kinship placements and improve placement stability. The role works to reduce placement disruptions, increase available 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 position also helps kinship caregivers understand children’s needs and their own support needs, provides customer service, and supports Family Case Managers in promoting a kin-first child welfare culture. The position works primarily from Shelbyville, Indiana, and serves Shelby 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.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: 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.
A degree is not required if the candidate has at least five years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.
Advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling principles and practices, including treatment methods and theories.
Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
Thorough knowledge of related social services programs and the ability to coordinate work among programs.
Specialized knowledge of how behavioral sciences relate to client care and treatment or social work project objectives.
Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect appropriately and effectively.
Ability to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
Ability to work sensitively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and respect differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes for children with special needs, and professionals providing services to them.
Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises, including situations involving confrontational or aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must 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.
Help kinship families access resources, financial assistance, and support programs.
Facilitate family meetings and maintain ongoing communication to strengthen family connections.
Investigate reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether incidents are substantiated; and develop recommendations for disposition.
Assess risks of further injury or harm to children, including imminent danger, and remove children from their families when warranted, placing them in a protected environment.
Assess the needs of families and children to determine treatment options.
Testify; prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports; maintain case files; and prepare briefing reports for community child protection teams.
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 treatment programs and providers to ensure consistency with case plans.
Accept on-call responsibilities 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 to support trend-based evaluation of the needs of families and children.

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 bi-weekly state contributions.
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match.
Two fully funded pension plan options.
Leave policies including paid new-parent leave, childbirth recovery leave for eligible mothers, community service leave, 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 a qualified 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.