Family Engagement Liaison, Joan B. Poliak Seattle Field Office

Casey Family Programs, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Founded in 1966, we work in 50 states, the District of Columbia and two territories and with more than a dozen tribal nations to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live. Casey Family Programs values diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and respect for individuals in the workplace. We encourage candidates with diverse lived experience and perspectives to apply.

Child and Family Services (CFS) of Casey Family Programs provides direct services and tribal consultation in pursuit of Casey’s mission to provide, improve, and – ultimately prevent the need for – foster care. CFS operates nine field offices in five states and an Indian Child Welfare Programs office that demonstrate direct service and ICW improvement models. We share our experiences and lessons learned with jurisdictions, tribes, providers, and communities in the spirit of mutual continuous learning. Our work is community and family centered, relationship-based, participatory, and culturally responsive. We recognize the dignity and strength of every individual, family, community and culture.

Job Summary:

Utilizing a collaborative, innovative, evidence-informed, trauma and healing approach to practice, we engage families and community partners in the urgent, relentless pursuit of legal and relational permanency and well-being for all children and families so that no youth ages out of foster care. Our clinical case management and support activities primarily occur within homes and in the community, with virtual options available, as necessary. The Family Engagement Liaison leads and expedites services, supports and tools to promote permanency and enhance overall well-being. Family Group Conferencing is one of the tools utilized by the FEL. Other tools used may include family finding and engagement, facilitating several types of family gatherings/meetings, (i.e., multi-disciplinary meetings, ILTPs, Child and Family Team meetings) and other meetings that meet the needs of the family. Family engagement is a critical component of the FEL role. The goal of all these interventions is to enhance the likelihood of achieving legal and relational permanency for youth/families served by CFS. The FEL has other substantial responsibilities as a liaison between staff, management, and community partners. The FEL facilitates engagement of families and community partners when it is necessary and participates in constituent engagement. The FEL is actively involved in prevention work with families and partners and contributes to the efforts toward building Communities of Hope.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Engages relatives and those the youth identify as important to them. Provides an orientation to CFS’ scope and services to youth and families. This orientation may include introduction to FGDM, FGC and other team decision-making models. The engagement includes an assessment of the family’s culture, identification, and language.
• Via use of the FGDM and other teaming models, the FEL develops positive relationships with youth and families. Throughout the time the family is served, the FEL may lead the search for family resources. The FEL is responsible for advocating and elevating family voice, choice and decision making as services are implemented to support and strengthen the youth and family. The FEL also advocates that the family be at the forefront of all decision-making regarding case planning.
• Related to FGDM and other teaming models, maintains written case records to include FGC Family Plans, and maintains on-going communication with identified family resources. Follows all FGDM procedures and ensures that the program remains consistent with values, beliefs, and philosophy of the model (i.e., ensures fidelity). Attends all relevant trainings and participates in the delivery of training in accordance with the level of field office needs. The FEL will contribute information regarding FGC and other family meetings that may affect the annual budget.
• Represents CFS in the broader child welfare community. Utilizes a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, and trauma- and healing-informed care to enhance services to youth and families resulting in Building Communities of Hope. Participates in demonstration and spread efforts, both locally and nationally, in partnership with SI.
• Within CFP and nationally, the FEL may offer training, consultation, practice enhancement, practice development and coaching. The FEL will engage with other child welfare professionals to promote and advocate on behalf of child welfare issues, family engagement and the power of change and healing for families served.
• The FEL works closely with social workers, jurisdictional workers, and supervisors to review services and may process referrals. Obtains detailed referral information and confers with referral source regarding prospective service participants, including the youth.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

All of these essential responsibilities necessitate the ability to work and communicate effectively across differences with diverse services, populations, staff and stakeholders to advance diversity, equity and inclusion; to work effectively in a team environment as well as work autonomously and exercise independent judgement as required; to demonstrate effective organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; to collaborate with management and staff to ensure alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited institution and a minimum of five years clinical experience in child welfare or other child and family service-related practice is required.
• Broad knowledge of social work practice and clinical theory, including assessment and intervention skills in family systems approach is essential. Already possessing the Family Group Decision Making practice competency or a willingness to learn and use the model with families is required. Facilitation skills in/or a willingness to learn a variety of meeting types to support youth and family needs is essential.
• Expertise in the areas of permanency, improved well-being outcomes for youth in care, and family engagement is required. Broad knowledge of community supports and evidenced based and promising practices aimed at strengthening families and ensuring child safety are expected. Clinical expertise in family systems and knowledge in the areas of substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence are necessary.
• Knowledge of local and national laws, and policies and procedures governing foster and kinship care is helpful.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, respect for tribal sovereignty, and respect for cultural, racial, and gender difference is required. Personal qualities demonstrating adaptability, curiosity, collaboration and a capacity for self-reflection and commitment to lifelong learning are a must. Ability to contribute effectively with and across teams and with external partners necessary.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical for this position.
• Basic computer knowledge and experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) is necessary. An appreciation of the importance of retrieving and analyzing data is essential.
• Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures; ability to type utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to travel to outside locations; and the ability to work at a computer for extended periods as a primary job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Local travel required for home visits, meetings with families, and other required meetings. Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is required. Additional out of town travel for professional development or Demonstration and Spread projects may occur.
• Bilingual skills in English and another language(s) preferred.

The typical hiring range for this position in Seattle, WA is $83,810 to $98,600. The full salary range for the role is $83,810 to $113,390. As a mission-driven organization, Casey strives to balance competitive pay with our mission. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

Casey Family Programs offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, accrual of 12 days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave,10 paid holidays per year, and each employee receives one personal holiday to use each calendar year. Employees that meet certain tenure qualifiers are eligible for up to eight weeks of parental leave for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. After the completion of 10 years of continuous, full-time regular employment, employees in good standing are permitted for a three-month sabbatical with pay. CFP also offers many opportunities for continued learning, training, and development.

This position will remain open until the needs are met and is subject to closure at any time without notice. It is to your advantage to file your application early as you will not be able to apply once the position has closed.

Equal Opportunity Employer


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