Parent Support & Reunification Specialist

FosterAdopt Connect•Kirksville, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Reunification Support Specialist works closely with parents involved in the formal foster care system to support safe and successful reunification with their children. This position provides intensive family-centered services, advocacy, parenting support and skill building, supervised visitation, and resource coordination to help parents meet case plan goals, strengthen family functioning, and promote long-term family stability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in social work (preferred) or in related human services field.
Experience working with marginalized communities with an understanding of the barriers that impact underserved communities.
Quickly establish rapport and build trust.
Adaptable and proactive self-starter who effectively multitasks while maintaining strong attention to detail and organization to meet all objectives and deadlines.
Collaborate effectively within diverse, multidisciplinary teams and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills by adjusting communication approaches to effectively engage clients, families, and colleagues.
Proven ability to write clearly, concisely, and effectively for a variety of audiences.
Follow confidentiality guidelines and appropriate handling of sensitive information.
Model ethical and professional behaviors at all times.
Maintain flexibility in work schedule, including availability for evenings and weekends as needed.
Travel required within surrounding counties with or without accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive and manage referrals from leadership for parents involved with the child welfare system, delivering timely assistance to support effective reunification progress within program guidelines.
Prioritize and manage multiple cases simultaneously while maintaining frequent, open communication with direct supervisor regarding services delivered, concerns or questions.
Utilize trauma-informed practices when supporting and interacting with clients.
Provide caregivers with information, referrals, community resources to improve parent access to resources such as basic need items, money to pay for bills, tutoring resources, employment options, recreational activities, scholarships, etc.
Guide parents in identifying, applying for, and securing eligible benefits, ensuring timely connection to appropriate resources.
Consistently and proactively communicate and meet with clients per program guidelines.
Schedule weekly in-person visits to complete parent assessments and deliver parenting curriculum modules while ensuring compliance with program guidelines.
Schedule weekly in-person parent/child supervised visits while ensuring compliance with program guidelines.
Create a plan, in partnership, with caregivers to meet identified needs.
Enhance caregivers’ social support systems (i.e. professional agencies, support groups, parent groups, professional helpers, extended family, etc.).
Collect and record all data to complete and maintain up-to-date documentation of clients in FAC client database system, within program guidelines.
Submit month-end client progress reports to supervisor and Children’s Division by the third business day of the new month.
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and community partners to create strong partnerships to enable a continual flow of regularly received referrals. Participate in outreach efforts as assigned. Attend community meetings as needed.
Participate in ongoing meetings/professional memberships and trainings as required by the Program Manager.
Actively contribute both independently and as part of a team; participate in team meetings and collaborate with colleagues across departments.