Adoption Exchange Family Specialist

ADOPTION EXCHANGE FAMILY SPECIALIST Job Category: Family Permanency Programs Job Status: Full-time, non-exempt Reports to: Adoption Exchange Programs Manager About FosterAdopt Connect FosterAdopt Connect works with children, youth, and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare system. With the help of innovative leadership, we are a dedicated, professional staff with a history of over 25 years of experience working in the Kansas and Missouri foster care systems. Be part of a progressive, diverse and inclusive organization that connects children with families that provide a safe, stable environment for foster and adoptive children. Join us in changing the lives of foster children, one child and one family at a time. Job Summary Engage adoptive family resources with the goal of matching them with foster children listed on the AdoptKSKids adoption exchange website. The Adoption Exchange Family Specialist is expected to be a champion of change in the lives of children who do not yet have an identified adoptive resource. The Specialist maintains an active list of interested adoptive applicants with the purpose of engaging families in the adoption process. The Specialist identifies and tracks tasks related to adoption work to ensure training, paperwork requirements. The Specialist develops a good understanding of each family’s interests/needs to help facilitate the match process and work effectively with the youth’s case management team to find a “no matter what” family for each youth. Responsibilities Respond to AdoptKSKids website inquiries. Effectively communicate the adoption process and identify next steps for prospective adoptive families. Engage with families to learn about their experience and motivation to adopt. Educate adoptive families about the adoption process in Kansas and the children in foster care who need adoptive families. Continue ongoing contact with prospective families including providing general information about adoption and foster care, providing information about the adoption process, responding to questions about profiles of featured children, and offering direction to all inquiries seeking foster and/or adoption-related services. Interface with prospective families and case managers throughout the adoption process. Solicit completed family information to ensure narrative descriptions are collected as well as the family’s adoptive preferences. Network building: develop relationships with CMPs and Child Placing Agencies; maintain regular contact. Maintain excellent documentation by tracking all communication with prospective adoptive parents, CMPs, CPAs, and all other professionals in FAC’s internal database system. Make referrals to any identified community resources needed to aide in successful adoption finalization. Follow month-end procedure of reviewing all family profiles completing applicable updates. Attend meetings, community awareness events and adoption recruitment events as requested. Collaborate and partner with Adoption Exchange Child Specialists on matching services and case staffings. Qualifications and Preferred Skills Familiarity with the Kansas child welfare system (preferred). A minimum of two (2) years of related experience working with foster care/adoption. Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field required. Solid commitment to the core principle that all children need and deserve to grow up in the context of a safe, loving, and appropriate family. Maintain a proactive approach to ensure youth and children are connected with a safe, loving and appropriate family. Self-starter who takes on challenging responsibilities and is self-accountable. Model ethical and professional behavior at all times. Solid commitment to principles of support and advocacy for birth, relative, kinship, foster and adoptive families. Flexibility and adaptability, able to shift styles to fit the needs of a wide range of cultures, people and organizations. Strong computer and Internet skills. Strong attention to detail with commitment to accuracy and quality while meeting goals or deadlines. Possess a valid state-issued driver's license, car insurance and reliable transportation. Flexible schedule. Compensation and Benefits Compensation commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including: Highly competitive health plan. Health Reimbursement Account with generous employer contribution. Life insurance and long-term disability provided at no cost. Voluntary life and short-term disability options. 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 6% employer match. Flexible Spending Account with medical expense and dependent care. Employee Assistance Program. Generous paid time off and holidays. EEO Statement FosterAdopt Connect does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its programs or services. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and members. #J-18808-Ljbffr