Kinship Care Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

A positive future for every child!

Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time. We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children.

Your skills, experience, and passion are needed at one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development. Join our team and experience a long-term career that brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you make a difference. 

Why choose us?

• You will be rewarded with benefits, including day one zero contribution health plan options, wellness programming, and generous paid time off.
• You will benefit from high-quality paid training to promote professional growth and development.
• You will enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Job Title: Kinship Care Specialist

This position provides essential services, including home studies and support for kinship, foster, guardian, and adoptive families. Use your excellent communication skills to make a difference in the lives of children in need.

The ideal candidate must be organized and flexible; able to prioritize multiple tasks; capable of independent judgment and high-level performance while working to meet daily deadlines; an accomplished communicator with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills; and possess excellent computer skills to include Windows applications.

What You Will Do:

• Deliver services as outlined in the Scope of Work within Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) contracts.
• Complete home studies and courtesy supervision services for children who are in DCS custody through visiting with children and their kinship caregivers, foster parents, and/or adoptive parents in their homes.
• Display excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to complete reports that are submitted to court and/or the Department of Child Safety
• Provide education and support to kinship, foster, guardian, and adoptive families and connect them to community resources
• License and monitor kinship caregivers' homes
• Work in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to better serve children and families
• Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate client files
• Establish a working partnership with families, community providers, and your peers 

What it Takes: 

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related human services field preferred

• Working knowledge of child welfare systems, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), and relevant state, federal, and local laws governing child placement, custody, and treatment.

• Familiarity with mandated reporting procedures and legal responsibilities related to suspected child abuse and neglect.

• Understanding of the impact of foster care on children and families.

• Microsoft Word, Windows experience, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be able to pass a criminal background and drug test.

• Valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card preferred OR must qualify for a valid Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.

• Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license, have access to an Arizona-registered vehicle, and maintain current vehicle insurance.

What Sets You Apart:

• Direct work in child welfare, service coordination, or with families at risk for abuse or neglect.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Learn more! 

Our core values embody Southwest Human Development’s commitment to services that uplift the lives of children, families, and other care providers, and the communities in which they live. These values are intended to guide the professional development, ethical conduct, and skilled practice of all our team, whatever their specific role within the agency. All of our team members are valued as making essential contributions to strengthening the foundation that Arizona’s children need for a great start in life. Learn more about our values and benefits here.