Kinship Support Specialist - Child Welfare

Job Description

Job Description

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However sometimes children, and their families, need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

The Kinship Support Specialist acts as an additional layer of support for kinship placements made by the Department of Children and Families and Case Management. This position provides support to kinship families and the children placed in their home, by assisting the family with services and support. These services will be made by phone and face to face contact to help ensure the caregiver has the ability to care for the children long-term. The Specialist will assist the family in various ways: submit resource requests for items for the children or for the caregiver’s home, provide community resources and assistance with applying for ACCESS Florida benefits. The Specialist will also provide the family with referrals through the Kinship Program and Level 1 Licensure. Kinship Support Services covers all 5 counties within Circuit 5, which may require this position to work in multiple counties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Attend Department of Children and Families Staffings on new kinship placements to gather information about the family to assist with the initial contact.
• Assess the immediate needs of the family to help support the placement.
• Make Resource Requests as needed and coordinate delivery of the items to the family.
• Assist families with applying for ACCESS Florida benefits.
• Complete requests for funding to assist families as needed.
• Assist families with the Level 1 Licensure process, work with the family on the initial paperwork, trainings and items needed for Level 1 Licensure.
• Assist with Out of County Requests for Level 1 home studies for children that are placed outside of Circuit 5.
• Link and complete referrals for services in the community.
• Refer families to the Kinship Program for additional assistance, peer to peer connections, and support groups.
• Make home visits with the family if needed.

This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from accredited institution and 3 years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Licensure/Certifications

Child Protective Professional Certification preferred.

Valid Florida driver’s license

• Other Requirements

Must successfully clear Level II Background Screen. Must meet eligibility requirements to transport clients, including 100,000/300,000 Liability Insurance, possess an acceptable driving record, and have reliable transportation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to meet Organizational Core Competency standards
• Knowledge of child welfare system
• Excellent knowledge of community resources
• Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions
• Effective computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability to lift 10 pounds
• Ability to travel up to 40%
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally in an office environment, but may also be required to visit other settings such as a client’s home or public setting, or other agencies. The noise level is usually moderate.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must also frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee is regularly required to bend/stoop and kneel. Repetitive motion is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter and Citrus counties. Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law. Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace and an Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Kids Central, Inc. provides a comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V