Arkansas State Casework Specialist

Position Summary, Role Scope, and Focus Variability

This role is designed to support a variety of Lifeline ministries and services. Responsibilities and areas of focus vary within each state depending on program offerings, community needs, and caseload demands. While this job description reflects the range of duties that may be assigned, the role will not be responsible for every program area.

We are looking for someone who is flexible, collaborative, and passionate about serving wherever the need is greatest and, currently, the primary focus of this position will be Pregnancy Counseling and Church Engagement . This role will provide direct services and support to children, families, and individuals through Lifeline programs based on the needs of the state, community, and current caseload. Serves as an active member of the state team, working closely with the State Director and other staff to further Lifeline’s mission and help meet the needs of vulnerable children and families.

Responsibilities:

• To be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to co-workers,clientsand ministry partners
• Activelyparticipateson the team in a manner aligned with scripture including, but not limited to, praying for and with other team members, sharing scripture in daily activities and leadership, modeling the character of Jesus Christ in interactions with team and any external clients, partners, vendors, etc.
• Disciplesministry partnersand clients.
• Aligns team dynamics, internal & external processes, and final product of team’s work with Biblical principles and with Lifeline’s Core Values

Family Recruitment:
Collaborate with the state office team to achieve annual family recruitment goals by:

• Conductingadoptioninformation meetings (in person and virtual).
• Providing options counseling to prospective families across all state programs (international, domestic, foster care,harborfamilies, hosting, foster care adoption.
• Raising awareness of the needoffamiliesfor waitingchildren.

Pregnancy CounselingNetworking:
Partner with the state team to meet annual pregnancy counseling networking goals by:

• Building andmaintainingrelational, in-person connections with community referral sources.
• Conductingtrainingsand outreach to equip partners to better support expectant parents.
• Developing and sustaining referral relationships by empowering partners to share adoption well and make relational referrals.
• Conduct intake and orientation interviews with clients using client-centered interviewing as the foundation for quality social casework.
• Provide comprehensive assessments ofexpectantmom’sdynamics, interpersonal relationships, environmental stressors, supports, and mental health status todetermineclient readiness and program eligibility.
• Provide ongoing case management throughout the expectant mom journey,assistingmoms in navigating challenges, solving problems, and making informed decisions from application through placement, and post placement services and case completion.
• Maintain consistent communication and availability to clientsbefore, during, and after placements,or services, including in-person visits, phone calls, email communication, and documentation of all case activity.
• Provide counselingand crisisinterventionfor clientsincludingadvocacy toappropriate medical, legal, community, and insurance resources as needed.

Church Based Programs:
Work with the state office team to achieve annualchurch-basedprogram goals by:

• Developing and cultivating partnerships with local churches using Lifeline’s church-based programs
• Recruiting, coordinating, training, and providing follow-up support for church-based programs, including Families Count, Heritage Builders, Worthy, and Harbor Families.
• Providing ongoing support to churches actively engaged in church-based programs.
• Strengthening relationships between partner churches and community or state referral sources.
• Harbor Families:Implements Harbor Families family preservation program by serving asinitialcontact for families in crisis, networking in the community to increase the awareness andutilizationof the program services, and by serving as the primary contact for volunteer assessment, equipping, and support.

Family Services (Adoption, FC, FCA)

• Provide comprehensive assessments of family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, environmental stressors, supports, and mental health status todetermineclient readiness and program eligibility.
• Complete home studies, assessments,required trainingand evaluations in compliance with agency standards and all applicable federal,state, and program-specific requirements.
• Maintain consistent communication and availability to familiesbefore, during, and after services, including in-person visits, phone calls, email communication, and documentation of all case activity.
• Prepare, manage, and ensure accuracy and timeliness of all required documentation, including home studies, case notes,assessments, legal paperwork, court documents, medical records, and database entries.
• Ensure all informationrequiredto approve homestudiesand any post workis complete,accurate, and on file within required timelines.
• Schedule and complete post-placement, or post-adoption visits, providing direct client evaluation, intervention, and written reportingin accordance withprogram requirements.
• Focus on the needs and welfare of children and families throughout the process, prioritizing best-interest decision-making at all stages.
• Complete home assessments for contract (state services only) families as assigned, using the same standards of assessment and client-centered consultation.
• Practice all caseworkin accordance withLifeline’s ethical and professional standards through ongoing training, supervision, and participation in required meetings.
• Provide spiritual support in a non-threatening manner, including opportunities for gospel-centered encouragement, discipleship, and prayer whenappropriate.

ChurchEngagement:
Work with the state office team to achieve annual church partnership goals by:

• Developing and cultivating partnerships with local churches using Lifeline’s church-based programs, campaigns, resources,andinitiatives.
• Be a trainingresourceand bridge builderfor local churchpartnerships,including but notlimitedto CPSand other localcommunity partners.
• Pursuing live presence opportunities in churches across the state, including hosting tables, sharing information,facilitatingadoption information meetings, and speaking on the biblical mandate to care for vulnerable children.
• Increasing the number of local church partners of all levels (Connected, Engaged and Champion) annually.
• Encourage churches to become a Lifeline giving partner.

Advancement:
Partner with the state team to achieve annual advancement goals by:

• Build and grow existing and new relationships with churches, families, volunteers, businesses, donors, and foundations.
• Assistingwith the planning and execution of marketing, fundraising and all state events to promote Lifeline’s mission and impact across the state.

Other Duties:

• Assistingin agency-related events, including the annual staff retreat, the annual dinner, anniversary celebrations, across all Lifeline programs
• Maintains good relationships with co-workers, including solving all disputes in aBiblically prescribed fashion
• Representsthe agency in a professional manner in and away from theoffice.
• Encourages and supports church engagement efforts, including live presence opportunities, adoption information meetings, and biblical teaching on caring for vulnerable children.
• If qualified by the state, conduct home studies, post placement/adoptionreportsor other related adoption services for families in your geographical area when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or member of the Executive team

All roles at Lifeline are designed to function as a flexible, team-based position. While primary responsibilities are outlined, employees may be asked to supportadditionalprograms, service areas, or initiatives based on organizational needs, workload/caseload demands, and supervisor direction. Anyadditionalduties will be consistent with the employee’s training, licensure, role classification, and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) status and will not fundamentally change the nature of the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work (preferred) or a related human services field (whichever is required by State)
• No experience needed except where required by State
• License not required unless required by State; Social Work licensure, strongly preferred
• Must lift at least 25lbs, must have reliable transportation
• This position operates in a professional office environment unless allowed under Remote Worker Policy.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Every Child Deserves a Family

Saving Lives Is Not the End of the Story

Start a support group for the foster families in your church or neighborhood.

Find out more about ways to get your church engaged in caring for children and families in the system.

When you give to Lifeline, you help support the many trainings and resources shared with foster families. Through your support, children are being shown gospel hope.

James 1:27 identifies God's plan for the church. Lifeline exists to equip and mobilize the church to protect and care for the most vulnerable human life, children.

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