Family Search Liaison - 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.

JOB SUMMARY:

This is a highly responsible and fast-paced position as this position is responsible for providing administrative support to leadership and assist case managers with diligent searches and family finding activities. The applicant will need to be very organized and will work with electronic and paper files.   The applicant will work with case managers to assist them with locating parents on open cases by conducting diligent searches and conduct family finding activities to locate family members of children in care.  These searches will be conducted through a variety of means, to include but not limited to, internet searches, mailings, law enforcement checks, phone calls, records check with various agencies, cold calls.    This person may also be called upon to support other projects as deemed necessary within Kids Central Inc.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Complete Diligent Search and Family Finding job duties and have the ability to document what was completed in a manner appropriate to submit to CLS (children’s legal services) for filing with the court and in FSFN.
• Maintain ongoing communication with case managers and case manager supervisors regarding the efforts being made.  
• Set up and maintain Diligent Search/Family Finding files.
• Applicant must be proficient in excel, word and mail/label merging.  
• Completed Putative Father Registry request to CLS.
• Track all diligent search and family finding activities.
• Document and upload all diligent search and family finding activities in FSFN.
• Other job duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience

High school diploma and 2 years related experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to work in a highly visible position and use effective interpersonal communication skills to respond to children and their families, and legal entities (i.e. judges, law enforcement, CLS etc.). 
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write concise reports within 24 hours of event or as required by program. 
• Must be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with abstract and concrete variables. 
• High level of organizational skills.

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.  

• Indoor, temperature controlled, smoke-free environment. Outdoor exposure.
• Moderate noise level.

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.

• Good visual acuity and ability to communicate.
• Ability to lift, lower, push, pull and retrieve objects weighing a minimum of 20 pounds.   Reasonable assistance may be requested when lifting, pushing and/or pulling which exceeds the minimum requirements.
• Ability to withstand prolong standing and walking.   Also, able to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach, stoop, bend, and/or kneel during an 8-12-hour day. 

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Our mission is, “Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities”.  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.  We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect.  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, 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