Adoption Case Manager

Mission Statement

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

Provide adoption case management for children with a goal of Adoption and where a petition for termination of parental rights has been filed. This position provides direct case work support to families adopting children with needed case management, transition assistance and services, while adhering to relevant legal and policy requirements governing adoptions. The purpose is to evaluate, coordinate, and ensure that the necessary services and treatment are provided; complete required family assessments and ongoing documentation; assess families through the adoption home study process and assist by teaming with them to identify goals to maintain and strengthen the family unit and to participate in staffings to ensure permanency is being obtained timely and to maintain child safety and well-being.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversight of all adoption related tasks for children and families, including adoption home studies, child studies, referrals for psychological evaluation or other assessments if warranted, subsidy requests, enhanced subsidy requests, home visits, and maintenance of adoption tab information in FSFN.
• Provide adoptive placement services to adoptive families, including documentation in compliance with legal requirements for full disclosure and adoption subsidy.
• Provide updates regarding adoption case activity to Child Welfare Case Manager for judicial reviews and testify at court regarding status of adoption, when needed.
• Fulfill needs related to adoption disruptions, documenting disruptions, ensuring that subsidy is terminated if applicable, and guiding efficient coordination of needs toward subsequent placement of the children and support of the children and family.
• Perform specialized case management activities to ensure program compliance with legislative mandates,í and DCF and/or agency initiatives including the Adoption Incentive Program.
• Assist in coordination of and participate in sibling separation staffings, match staffings and Adoption Applicant Review Committees.
• Assess children and family needs and coordinate delivery of services specific to adoption preparation, transition and support, including the development, documentation, and fulfillment of transition plans for all adoptive placements.
• Communicate with the primary Child Welfare Case Manager at least monthly to provide status update regarding adoption case activity.
• Provide life books to adoptive families.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to adoptive families with children placed in their home during the 90‑day post‑placement supervision period.
• Display understanding of, and sensitivity to, service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Provide documentation and data on adoption activities.
• Conduct regular home visits to ensure engagement and progress of children/families.
• Adhere to data collection into FSFN.
• Produce periodic reports as requested.
• Other duties may be assigned as special projects may be requested.

Working Hours

Standard business hours are 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday through Friday, with an average of 40hours per week. Work hours may vary outside these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements.

Travel

Travel within and outside Hillsborough County is required. The employee must be able to drive and have reliable transportation to perform the essential functions of the position.

Training

All employees are required to complete fifteen (15) hours of training annually, which may be completed online or in a classroom setting. Employees who hold a credential or license relevant to their position must ensure that all training and continuing education requirements are met to maintain their credential or licensure.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a four‑year accredited college or university with a minimum of two (2) years of child welfare related experience OR an advanced degree in social work or a comparable human service field.
• Official transcripts are a mandatory requirement.
• Must have a working knowledge of community services in the local five‑county area. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships is also a must.
• Adoption competency training (preferred).

Other Qualifications

• Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to work in a multi‑cultural environment.
• Effective listening skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be self‑motivated and able to manage various work assignments simultaneously.

Skills and Abilities

Exceptional leadership and communication skills, fostering collaboration across all organizational levels. Possess a strong aptitude for analytical thinking and data‑driven decision‑making, excelling at solving complex problems and implementing effective solutions. Proficient in project management, adeptly handling multifaceted initiatives, ensuring deadlines are met and budgets are maintained. Highly adaptable to fast‑paced and dynamic environments, prioritizing tasks efficiently while leveraging operational software and tools to enhance productivity. Strategic planning expertise and a commitment to fostering teamwork enable driving organizational success.

Pre‑employment Requirements

• Valid driver’s license, clean driver’s license check, and proof of insurance.
• Criminal background screening (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE & abuse registry).
• Drug screening is a requirement.
• Children’s Network participates in E‑Verify.
• Child welfare certification within one (1) year of post‑test.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret regulatory documents, contracts, policies, and case records. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from management, staff, clients, and outside agencies. Ability to effectively present information to children and families, management, employees, and outside agencies.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Anticipate needs and/or problems based on current events and/or situations and develop solutions.

Physical Demands

The job requires the ability to sit for extended periods; walk; stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. Requires visual acuity sufficient to read and operate standard modern office machines. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25pounds.

Work Environment

This is administrative work in an indoor office environment with a moderate noise level (business machines, printers, computers, telephones).

ADA

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Drug-Free Workplace

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug‑Free Workplace.

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