Permanency Specialist (48594)

WESTCARE INC•Doral, FL

5d•$25 - $27

About The Position

The Permanency Specialist focused on ensuring safe and timely permanent outcomes for children in foster care. Skilled in tracking and analyzing permanency data, identifying barriers, and collaborating with case managers and supervisors to develop and implement strategies for successful permanency. Experienced in facilitating staffing, coordinating follow-up activities, and engaging families in reunification and permanency planning. Proficient in maintaining accurate records and working with stakeholders to remove obstacles to permanency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, with at least two (2) years of experience in human services or child welfare programs.
Two years of previously supervised work experience in child welfare related field.
Expertise with the Florida Child Welfare Practice Model and knowledgeable in Child Welfare electronic system of record (FSFN or CCWIS).
Possess strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Availability to work a flexible schedule as required by the department, including nights and weekends
Possess a current Background Clearance Screening Letter as required by DCF.
Valid Florida driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required;
The ability to identify and evaluate an individual’s strengths, barriers, problems, and needs for the development of a Wellness and Recovery Plan
The ability to write assessments, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other consumer related data
Knowledge of the inter-relationship among substance use, mental health, and primary care disorders
Knowledge and application of developmental theories
The ability to evaluate the impact of substance use and mental health problems on the consumer’s functioning in major life area
The ability to coordinate and integrate multiple services, as well as interface and communicate with internal and external providers
The ability to provide information to individuals and families concerning alcohol or other drug abuse, mental health problems, and the available services and resources
The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer/family to utilize the support systems and community resources available
The ability to identify crises when they surface; mitigate or resolve the immediate problem; and de-escalate the situation, including the ability to develop Safety Plans, as needed
The ability to assess the individual’s growth and development relative to normative development for his/her chronological age, including physical, emotional, cognitive, educational, and social development
Understanding of the relationship among mental health, substance use, physical health, and medication use on daily functioning
Understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct
Understanding of family dynamics, family roles, and family structure
Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities
Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team
Ability to organize, interpret, and communicate data in a comprehensive and effective manner
Ability to handle multiple tasks and effectively prioritize
Ability to network with internal and external departments and agencies.
Understanding of issues related to prevention, intervention and treatment.
Ability to use care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re-traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment
Ability to identify and describe key signs, symptoms, impact and manifestations of trauma
Understands the bidirectional relationships among substance use and mental disorders and trauma
Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma.
Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
Knowledge of Incident Reporting
Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
Maintains a good attendance record.
Observes working hours
Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
Works independently with minimal supervision
Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
Work time is always productive
Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies
Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
Maintains a positive attitude toward work.
Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
Work area is clean and orderly.
Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance withthe Center’s reporting procedures
Presents a positive personal image
Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor
CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite
Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.
Strong leadership and team management abilities.
Extensive knowledge of child welfare systems, case management, and regulatory compliance.
Experience in program development, quality assurance, and staff supervision.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong organizational and project management skills

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Certified Case Manager (CBHCM or CWCM) in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the Florida Certification Board is preferred.
Bilingual is preferred.
Physical required prior to hire; paid by agency

Responsibilities

Prioritizes permanency efforts and creates focus on children projected as potentially able to safely exit care.
Creates monthly permanency data report and associated analysis of barriers to timely permanency and shares with program leadership.
Maintains accurate log of all children with updated permanency status and actions taken/planned to expedite safe exit from care.
Works in collaboration with Case Managers and Supervisors to ensure activities needed to be accomplished in order to affect suitable permanency options are completed timely.
Identifies, schedules, coordinates, and facilitates permanency staffing and tracks follow up activities to expedite permanency providing support in completing identified follow up tasks as needed.
Documents staffing outcomes in FSFN of staffing completion and reminders for follow-up activities to ensure timely completion.
Responsible for completing requests to move children to less restrictive placements and/or when permanency can be achieved.
Engage parents in participation with permanency and reunification staffing and family finding efforts to meet safe and timely permanency goals.
Ensure compliance with Permanency Staffing directives, legal policies, and best practices in child welfare.
Oversee diligent searches for biological connections, ensuring all options for permanency are explored.
Monitor pre-placement and post-placement progress, addressing challenges in child-family integration.
Provides guidance and support to case management teams in creating and modifying safety plans as needed.
Works with internal and external stakeholders to remove barriers to permanency.
Attend Court as necessary.
Participates in a variety of staff conferences and meetings.
Resolve conflicts, mediate disputes, and address high-risk cases, ensuring the best outcomes for children and families
Other duties as assigned.