Kinship Support Specialist

DePaul Community Resources • Christiansburg, VA

6d

About The Position

The Kinshp Support Specialist (RPACS) will provide supportive services to select kinship families after legal guardianship or permanency through adoption is obtained. The intent of these services will be to strengthen and maintain kinship placements and prevent placement and permanency disruption. These support services will also connect kinship families with the broader adoptive family community supported through DePaul services. DePaul, in partnership with subcontractor Commonwealth Catholic Charities, offers a wide range of free support services to children and families once kinship legal guardianship or adoption is achieved. The Kinship Support Specialist for this program must understand the unique dynamics and challenges of families formed through kinship care after a child is removed from the care of biological parents and then tailor support to the current needs of each family. Primary activities and responsibilities may include referrals and resource sharing, education and training for families, planning and facilitating family activities, planning and leadership of parent and youth discussion groups, and connecting families to appropriate clinical services. The Kinship Support Specialist provides support and crisis intervention when evolving family circumstances threaten placement stability. This regional position will work very closely with regional RPACS Adoption Specialists. This position will service families that reside in the Western region as defined by the Virgina Department of Social Services.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field with one year of experience providing casework services to children or families is required.
• Experience as a foster/kinship/adoptive parent could substitute for formal casework experience.
• Knowledge of: Office and records administration techniques and procedures
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sharepoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet
• DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies
• Relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property
• Office procedures and spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic
• Policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility
• Motor vehicle operations, traffic rules and regulations, and maintenance of motor vehicles
• Skill/Ability to: Demonstrate interpersonal and verbal skills to defuse emotional situations, calm upset individuals, allay fears, and lessen confusion.
• Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times
• Demonstrate verbal and written communication and body language that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work
• Operate standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, computer, postage machine, shredder
• Collect and analyze data
• Manage multiple priorities and complete assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail, and ensure a high-quality work product
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, management, community partners, and business associates, and work collaboratively in a team environment
• Operate a computer and utilize computer applications, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, internet, virtual meetings, internet, and department or program-specific software
• Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess service plans for individuals served
• Analyze and prepare concise and accurate documents, reports, and correspondence
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
• Make arithmetical computations and tabulations
• Effectively communicate policies and procedures clearly and concisely to coworkers, providers, and community partners
• Effectively market the programs and services of the department and organization
• Exercise sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and solving various work-related situations
• Learn and adhere to policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility
• Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles
• Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued
• Demonstrate professional composure in difficult and stressful situations
• Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work
• Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know

Responsibilities

• Perform strengths-based individualized intake, assess ongoing child and family strengths/needs post-placement, and develop more detailed individualized service plans when warranted
• Provide families with specialized services that address core kinship family issues, including information and referral, education, support, crisis management, and advocacy
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate kinship family and child support groups, fun family activities, and opportunities for respite to enhance family connection with the broader kinship and adoptive family community and natural supports.
• Prepare and maintain case records and reports according to program and grant standards concerning timeliness, content, accuracy, and confidentiality
• Collaborate with supervisor, adoption team members, other DePaul staff across programs, and community partners to optimize services and program outcomes
• Serve on multi-agency groups or deliver occasional adoption competence education to the community to enhance community-wide support of kinship families
• Complete other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees