Kinship Support Specialist - Child Welfare

Kids Central•Wildwood, FL

8d•$23 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However, sometimes children and their families need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. The Kinship Support Specialist acts as an additional layer of support for kinship placements made by the Department of Children and Families and Case Management. This position provides support to kinship families and the children placed in their home, by assisting the family with services and support. These services will be made by phone and face-to-face contact to help ensure the caregiver has the ability to care for the children long-term. The Specialist will assist the family in various ways: submit resource requests for items for the children or for the caregiver’s home, provide community resources and assistance with applying for ACCESS Florida benefits. The Specialist will also provide the family with referrals through the Kinship Program and Level 1 Licensure. Kinship Support Services covers all 5 counties within Circuit 5, which may require this position to work in multiple counties.

Requirements

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from accredited institution and 3 years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Child Protective Professional Certification preferred.
Valid Florida driver’s license
Must successfully clear Level II Background Screen.
Must meet eligibility requirements to transport clients, including 100,000/300,000 Liability Insurance, possess an acceptable driving record, and have reliable transportation
Ability to meet Organizational Core Competency standards
Knowledge of child welfare system
Excellent knowledge of community resources
Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written)
Ability to problem solve and make decisions
Effective computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Ability to lift 10 pounds
Ability to travel up to 40%
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed

Responsibilities

Attend Department of Children and Families Staffings on new kinship placements to gather information about the family to assist with the initial contact.
Assess the immediate needs of the family to help support the placement.
Make Resource Requests as needed and coordinate delivery of the items to the family.
Assist families with applying for ACCESS Florida benefits.
Complete requests for funding to assist families as needed.
Assist families with the Level 1 Licensure process, work with the family on the initial paperwork, trainings and items needed for Level 1 Licensure.
Assist with Out of County Requests for Level 1 home studies for children that are placed outside of Circuit 5.
Link and complete referrals for services in the community.
Refer families to the Kinship Program for additional assistance, peer to peer connections, and support groups.
Make home visits with the family if needed.