Kinship Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

DePaul is seeking a Full-Time (37.5-hour workweek) Kinship Support Specialist in the Roanoke, VA location.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Kinship Support Specialist will provide supportive services to select kinship families after legal guardianship or permanency through adoption is obtained. The intent of these services will be to strengthen and maintain kinship placements and prevent placement and permanency disruption. These support services will also connect kinship families with the broader adoptive family community supported through DePaul services. DePaul, in partnership with subcontractor Commonwealth Catholic Charities, offers a wide range of free support services to children and families once kinship legal guardianship or adoption is achieved. The Kinship Support Specialist for this program must understand the unique dynamics and challenges of families formed through kinship care after a child is removed from the care of biological parents and then tailor support to the current needs of each family. Primary activities and responsibilities may include referrals and resource sharing, education and training for families, planning and facilitating family activities, planning and leadership of parent and youth discussion groups, and connecting families to appropriate clinical services. The Kinship Support Specialist provides support and crisis intervention when evolving family circumstances threaten placement stability. This regional position will work very closely with regional RPACS Adoption Specialists. This position will service families that reside in the Piedmont region as defined by the Virgina Department of Social Services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
The Kinship Support Specialist will report directly to the regional RPACS Adoption Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of job responsibilities. The distribution of time allotted for any function or duty is subject to change with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign other responsibilities to this job or reassign them elsewhere at any time.

• Perform strengths-based individualized intake, assess ongoing child and family strengths/needs post-placement, and develop more detailed individualized service plans when warranted 
• Provide families with specialized services that address core kinship family issues, including information and referral, education, support, crisis management, and advocacy 
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate kinship family and child support groups, fun family activities, and opportunities for respite to enhance family connection with the broader kinship and adoptive family community and natural supports. 
• Prepare and maintain case records and reports according to program and grant standards concerning timeliness, content, accuracy, and confidentiality 
• Collaborate with supervisor, adoption team members, other DePaul staff across programs, and community partners to optimize services and program outcomes 
• Serve on multi-agency groups or deliver occasional adoption competence education to the community to enhance community-wide support of kinship families 
• Complete other duties as assigned 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED:
Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics or KSAOs are attributes needed to perform a job that are demonstrated through qualifying training, education, and experience. This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of all KSAOs for this job.

Knowledge of:

• Office and records administration techniques and procedures 
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar 
• Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sharepoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet 
• DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies 
• Relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property 
• Office procedures and spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic 
• Policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility 
• Motor vehicle operations, traffic rules and regulations, and maintenance of motor vehicles 

Skill/Ability to:

• Demonstrate interpersonal and verbal skills to defuse emotional situations, calm upset individuals, allay fears, and lessen confusion. 
• Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times 
• Demonstrate verbal and written communication and body language that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work 
• Operate standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, computer, postage machine, shredder 
• Collect and analyze data 
• Manage multiple priorities and complete assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail, and ensure a high-quality work product 
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, management, community partners, and business associates, and work collaboratively in a team environment
• Operate a computer and utilize computer applications, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, internet, virtual meetings, internet, and department or program-specific software 
• Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess service plans for individuals served 
• Analyze and prepare concise and accurate documents, reports, and correspondence 
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form 
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing 
• Make arithmetical computations and tabulations 
• Effectively communicate policies and procedures clearly and concisely to coworkers, providers, and community partners 
• Effectively market the programs and services of the department and organization 
• Exercise sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and solving various work-related situations
• Learn and adhere to policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility 
• Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles 

Other Characteristics:

• Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued 
• Demonstrate professional composure in difficult and stressful situations
• Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work 
• Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
A Bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field with one year of experience providing casework services to children or families is required. Experience as a foster/kinship/adoptive parent could substitute for formal casework experience. Individuals possessing the required education yet lacking the necessary experience may be hired as a Trainee.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described herein represent those an employee encounters while performing the position's essential functions. The employee regularly works in an office environment and occasionally in the field. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may be exposed to situations of a highly emotional nature; incumbents are expected to use verbal skills to resolve interpersonal situations to achieve desired results independently. Incumbents are exposed to various living situations and lifestyles. Work is generally completed regularly during weekdays; however, daily work hours may vary. Participation in and completion of job duties outside of normally scheduled hours may be required. Work is subject to frequent interruptions, and noise levels are varied based on the work locations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that an employee in this position must meet, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions successfully. Physical activities required are finger dexterity necessary to operate equipment used in the position, effective communication and seeing or hearing verbal cues. Walking from one-third to two-thirds of the time, sitting from one-third to two-thirds of the time, standing from one-third to two-thirds of the time, bending from one-third to two-thirds of the time, stooping up to one-third of the time, lifting/pushing/pulling no more than twenty pounds is required. When accessing various locations, the incumbent must climb stairs and ramps. This position requires driving approximately fifteen percent of the employee's working time to various locations. Public transportation may not be available. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should speak with their immediate supervisor/hiring manager.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
After a conditional job offer, the following may be required: current DMV driving record with results that comply with insurer guidelines; drug and alcohol screening with satisfactory results stipulated by applicable governing, funding, or regulatory agencies; criminal and child protective services background report. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any barrier crime(s) on the criminal background report. The applicant will have no founded disposition of child abuse or neglect as documented by the Child Protective Services background report.

NOTE:
This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job and the general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties whose performance may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

DePaul is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify participant. 

Flexible work from home options available.