Join Our Team as an Adoptions & Permanency Consultant and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families!Job SummaryAre you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future?Look no further! At Northern Children's Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision.We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves - no matter their background or life situation.We work to walk the talk when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.Why Choose Us? As an Adoptions & Permanency Consultant, you'll embark on a fulfilling journey.Leadership OpportunitySupportive EnvironmentEmpowerment and ProgressEffective CommunicationEmpowerment Through PlanningContinuous Monitoring and ProgressDocumentation ExcellenceNetworking and CollaborationBenefits:
- We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
- Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: We provide full-time employees with a $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost. Additionally, Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance offer financial security to our employees and their families.
- Our partner insurance company offers a range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance, providing additional financial protection to our employees.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: We offer a 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
- Paid Leave: Employees have access to generous paid time off or sick leave, allowing them to prioritize their health and well-being.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life's challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
- Legal Services: Self-funded legal services provide valuable support and resources for various legal matters.
Qualifications You Bring:
- Expertise
- Physical Capabilities
- Trauma-Informed Approach
- At Northern Children's Services, Inc., we value diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of every individual. Join us in our mission to empower children and families, one meaningful interaction at a time. Apply today and be a part of something truly extraordinary!
Northern Children's Services supports the healthy development of children and youth, while stabilizing their families to build stronger communities. Everything we do at Northern Children's Services is designed to create a better future for our families.SUMMARYUnder the direction of the Adoptions/Permanency Supervisor or Division Director of Child Welfare Services, the Adoptions/Permanency Worker is responsible for assisting the Program Supervisor and Director with the smooth and effective operation of the adoption program. The Adoption staff provides comprehensive clinical case management to individuals and families pursuing adoption/permanency. The Adoption staff provides adoptive families with expert consultation and training with regards to the adoption process. The Adoption staff assists in ensuring continuous program compliance with external licensing and regulatory agencies and assists the administrative staff in program development, implementation and evaluation. The Permanency Worker carries a caseload of no more than sixteen SWAN units of service, which consists of a combination of all the services the worker is eligible to complete (i.e. - Child Profiles, Child Preparation, Family Profiles, Finalization, Post-Permanency Services, Matching/Placement). The caseloads are developed based on the following criteria: the qualifications and competencies of the worker; the complexity and status of the case; services provided by other professionals and/or co-workers; other organizational responsibilities; client needs.THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITIONCommunication
- Maintains appropriate contact with consumers, natural families, foster parents, and other treatment team members as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
- Notifies all participants of consumer meetings, appointments and scheduled visits.
- Advocates for the needs of the consumer and natural family to obtain needed resources.
- Clearly and effectively communicates all pertinent information to all involved parties as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
- Participates in weekly supervision with family services supervisor or Level II SW.
Documentation
- Completes all required documentation that includes but is not limited to Child Profiles, Family Profiles, Finalization Supervisory and Individual Permanency Service Plan Reports, Child Preparation Plans, Initial Contact Forms, Meeting Activity Summary Reports, Final Summary Reports etc., in a timely manner.
- Documents using agency guidelines and format all contact in chronological order, with consumer, natural family, foster parents and other relevant parties on an ongoing basis, that are submitted via benchmarks on a monthly basis to his/her supervisor for review and processing.
Planning
- Attends all required training and pursues other training for professional growth.
- Schedules file reviews and visits at times convenient for all involved parties.
- Manages time in order to complete both direct service requirements as well as paperwork.
- Organizes and prepares for meetings such as Child Preparation Plan meetings.
- Works jointly with other agency staff in administrative meetings in the development and review of agency policy and planning.
- Participates in performance improvement activities.
- Works jointly with other agencies to ensure continuity of care on behalf of the consumer and natural family.
- Prepares adequately for weekly supervision to ensure case reviews occur on a consistent basis.
Monitoring
- Maintains the appropriate number of training hours as required by local, state and federal regulations.
- Assures record keeping is adequate and in conformity with all regulatory funding sources requirements.
Direct Service
- Develops and implements Child Preparation Plans or Individual Permanency Service Plans, for example, with input from the consumer, natural family, foster parents, and other relevant parties.
- Attends all pertinent meetings, appointments, and hearings on behalf of the consumer and natural family.
- Completes permanency service delivery requirements as per local, state and federal regulations.
- Assures that consumer's basic needs are met i.e. social, emotional, educational, physical and safety needs.
Networking
- Provides linkage with appropriate community resources by staying current of resources of other systems.
- Represents the agency at conferences trainings and meetings.
- Consults and collaborates with agency personnel and other external organizations.
BASIC SKILL SETS
- Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
- Ability to define problems, collects data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, consumers, vendors, and the public.
- Ability to accurately calculate numbers such as in addition, subtraction and percentages.
- Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
- Good working knowledge of the Child Welfare System. Knowledge of and ability to navigate other systems.
- Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
- Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor's Degree (required); two years experience (preferred); Master's Degree (preferred)
- Experience: Experience in child welfare. Working knowledge of clinical issues relating to children, adolescent, and/or families.
PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Ability to walk up and down stairs.
- Ability to perform SPMCI Techniques.
- Ability to lift 20 lbs.
- Ability to operate a calculator and computer
- Current valid driver's license and the willingness to drive through the five county area and beyond.
- Requires some flexible work schedule, evening and weekend hours.
- Required to carry emergency pager on a rotating basis.
Trauma-Informed BehaviorAbility to exhibit:
- Willingness to learn and maintain the value of a trauma-informed culture.
- Commit to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety, nonviolence, and resilience as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
Knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices:
- 1. Emotional intelligence
- 2. Effective communication
- 3. Understanding of the impact of trauma on human development
- 4. Use of person-first and strengths-based language
Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children's Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individual. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.