Placement Specialist - Child Welfare

Kids Central•Wildwood, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is for a Placement Specialist at Kids Central Inc., a Community-Based Care agency focused on child welfare in Circuit 5. The specialist will be the initial point of contact for intake, assessment, and coordination of out-of-home care for children, operating within Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and KCI operating procedures. The goal is to ensure children are matched and maintained in the most appropriate settings and that all necessary services are delivered. The agency's mission is to protect children, support families, and engage communities.

Requirements

Certification as a Child Protective Professional preferred
Current Background Clearance Screening Letter
Valid Florida driver’s license
Ability to meet Organizational Required Competency standards
Knowledge of the child welfare system
Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Ability to multitask and problem solve
Ability to work routinely covering the overnight shift, and occasional coverage of the weekend shift
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
Ability to assume on-call responsibilities outside normal working hours

Nice To Haves

Two years of child welfare experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in human services, behavioral health, or related field from an accredited institution, and one year of experience in human services or child welfare are preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure children receive timely, accurate, and complete assessments so they can be matched and maintained in the most appropriate setting (foster care, residential, and acute care behavioral settings)
Ensure all services identified by the Protective Investigator and/or Case Manager are appropriate and are delivered, authorizing all initial services and requests
Assist Protective Investigator and/or Case Manager in developing an initial plan of action, make referrals based on established criteria and standards
Routinely attend and participate in Children Medical Assessment Team (CMAT), disruptions, and multi-disciplinary staffings
Assist with the integration and stabilization of the level of care of children into therapeutic care, medical care, and children with disabilities
Act as liaison between foster parents, case management agencies, and Department of Children and Families staff to ensure appropriate placements are maintained
Other Duties as assigned