Kinship Support Specialist - Child Welfare

Kids Central•Wildwood, FL

About The Position

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families. 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. That is where we step in. JOB SUMMARY: The Kids Central Prevention Department offers programs to help support families, kinship caregivers, resource families, independent living youth and children both in foster care and placed in the community. The services provided through the prevention department are designed to assist families to reach their full potential, to engage families in services that promote safety, family well-being, support placements and provide needed resources. These services are provided through Kinship Support Service, Safety Management Services (SMS), the Education Department, Kinship Case Management through Kids Central, and the Resource Center located at Kids Central. 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
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 solve problems 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

Nice To Haves

Child Protective Professional Certification preferred

Responsibilities

Attend Department of Children and Families Staffing’s regarding 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, training 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.
Effectively track children and families to ensure desired outcomes and objectives are met.
Document all work on cases within 48 business hours in designated data system.
Participate in one-on-one supervision with Level 1 Supervisor monthly.
Provide case specific consultation to Kinship caregivers and children as needed.
Assist with back-to-school events and holiday intergenerational activities for kinship families as needed.
Complete monthly reporting and projects in a timely manner
Serve as liaison for Kids Central with case management agencies, community providers and kinship caregivers by gathering and relaying community specific needs.
Maintain designated case files which include referral form, Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) reports, case documentation, service referrals.
Demonstrate flexibility in working with families and children, by scheduling meetings, appointments, and events at times convenient to program participants.
Participate in local April Child Abuse Prevention Month activities.
Contribute to the development of Kids Central’s strategic goals and objectives, as well as the overall management of the organization.
Attend community events and speak publicly regarding Kids Central programs as approved by the supervisor and/or director.
Ability to update and maintain their outlook calendar.
Demonstrate the ability to manage their time appropriately within the work week, overtime must be pre-approved by the Level 1 Supervisor or Director.
Maintain a positive working relationship with customers, residents, co-workers, and vendors, returning all phone calls and emails within 24 business hours.
Manage special projects assigned by Level 1 Supervisor or Director.
Identify, educate, develop, and maintain relationships with community partners to benefit and support families in their community.
Assist with identifying services needed in the community to impact the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in the community.
Work in a teamwork atmosphere with other staff members.
Participates in regional and local advisory meetings, or speaking engagements as requested