Adoption and After Care Specialist

CK Family Services•Arlington, TX

About The Position

Ab o u t CK Family Services CK Family Services is the premiere foster care, adoption, and behavioral health organization in North Texas. For nearly two decades our team of mission-focused professionals has moved the needle in achieving the mission, “People united through God to enhance the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of at-risk children and families.” For more information regarding our work and focus visit www.ckfamilyservices.org . J o b Su mm a r y This position supports children and families throughout the foster-to-adoption and aftercare continuum.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate professionally with diverse individuals.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, time management, and follow-through.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, work under stress, and adapt to changing situations.
Strong interpersonal skills; able to build relationships and maintain professionalism.
Ability to be on-call and respond immediately.
Proficient with MS Office, data entry, and agency software systems.
Sound judgment, confidentiality, ethical standards, and alignment with Christian principles.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or related field preferred.
Minimum two years of experience working with children and families in foster care, adoption, behavioral health, or related fields preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide case management to foster-adoptive and adoptive families from pre-placement through post-placement and finalization.
Maintain ongoing contact with families, conduct required home visits, and provide supervision, training, and coaching.
Guide families in reviewing records, preparing for adoption, completing required forms, and maintaining compliance.
Develop families in therapeutic parenting, connecting principles, organization, advocacy, and professionalism.
Coordinate and monitor family support services (e.g., babysitters, mentors, support groups).
Familiarize family with community services and secure necessary resources to enable family to become independent of CK after adoption finalization. This includes, but is not limited to, notifying the family about the adoption tax credit opportunity, available post adoption services, and the college tuition and fee waiver.
Prepare all adoption-related documentation including home study updates, service plans, family notes, placement packets, supervision documentation, and court paperwork accurately and timely, submitting them to supervisor for review and approval.
File and route paperwork according to agency processes.
Provide crisis support and increase visit frequency when necessary.
Attend adoption staffing, presentations, pre-placement visits, court hearings, family conferences, and meetings.
Act as liaison between families, CK team members, DFPS/SSCC staff, and community partners.
Maintain current and effective communication with CK case management team and assigned DFPS/SSCC staff necessary for adoptively placing a child with a family.
Act as liaison between child’s CK case manager, DFPS/SSCC worker, and foster-adoptive family when planning for adoptive placement, actual placement coordination, throughout post-placement supervision, and through to consummation.
Complete Family Notes and submit them to supervisor within established timeframe.
Maintain regular and effective communication with CK foster care worker and supervisor about any incidents or concerns related to family, and report and document such instances accordingly. This includes any indication the adoption placement may be heading toward disruption (and notify CPS per requirements), and family compliance issues.
After adoptive placement, conduct a visit to the home with all family members present within 7 days of placement (if adoption finalization does not occur within the 7 day timeframe.
Once a child is placed, make regular, purposeful and meaningful visits to the adoptive home to observe family interactions and attachment, as well as the safety and overall home environment.
Once child is placed in home for adoption, document each home visit and provide documentation of home visit to DFPS/SSCC within 24 hours.
Complete and update all paperwork related to the child’s care, adoption process, and aftercare.
Submit to supervisor, file and route paperwork according to agency processes.
Develop and monitor child service plans according to agency, DFPS/SSCC, and Minimum Standards timeframes.
Update the service plan as needed.
Review all child documentation and request missing items promptly.
Follow up until obtained. Immediately notify supervisor of issues.
Coordinate therapeutic, medical, behavioral health, and educational services.
Conduct private interviews with children during visits to assess satisfaction, safety, and needs.
Advocate for children’s needs with schools, service providers, and community partners.
Assist parent in advocating for educational needs of child.
Report suspected abuse/neglect immediately to the hotline and supervisor.
Attend meetings such as ARDs, PPTs, therapy sessions, medical appointments, and court hearings.
Maintain regular and effective communication with CK foster care team and supervisor about all incidents and report such immediately.
Provide aftercare services for up to six months post-placement, including transition coordination, meetings, cross-system communication, and monthly documentation submission.
Complete and submit all documentation accurately and within required timelines (service plans, family notes, aftercare plans, billing, court paperwork, etc.).
Review and supervise maintenance of complete and current records on each child and family in compliance with Child Placing Minimum Standards.
Maintain compliance with Child Placing Minimum Standards, DFPS/SSCC requirements, adoption contract terms, and CK policies.
Ensure records for each family and child are complete, current, and well-maintained.
Open/process email and mail daily; respond to phone calls, texts, and messages promptly.
Maintain confidentiality per state and federal regulations.
Participate in meetings and chart audits as requested.
Thoroughly and timely complete investigations as required.
Represent CK Family Services in the community by attending meetings and gatherings as required.
Attend clinical meetings, training, and department meetings as scheduled.
Perform other duties and tasks as requested.
Work closely with CK Foster Care, Adoption, and Aftercare teams to ensure seamless service delivery.
Participate in clinical team meetings, department meetings, trainings, and community representation as required.
Advocate for families and children internally and externally.
Coordinate all aftercare services for children transitioning to new placements.
Collaborate with Case Manager, SSCC/DFPS caseworker, guardians, and other pertinent stakeholders in the development of robust aftercare plan, which may be incorporated into the child’s service plan
Effectively coordinate provision of all aftercare services for children.
Schedule meetings with children and caregivers of subsequent placement.
Complete aftercare plan and aftercare documentation within required timeframes.
Communicate with caregivers, caseworkers, guardians, and treatment team members.
Schedule and conduct aftercare meetings with children and caregivers.
Review educational portfolios and ensure educational supports are in place and education needs are being met.
Monthly submission of aftercare documentation to SSCC/DFPS caseworker during Aftercare Service Period of 6 months.
Provide case management and support to families during the aftercare period.
Collaborate with the child’s treatment team which may include but not limited to the child’s caregiver(s), guardian, Case Manager, SSCC/DFPS, Caseworker, in the child’s subsequent placement to ensure a successful transition and placement
Regularly collect and review upon receipt all documentation relevant to assigned children and families.
Attend all meetings, court hearings, and family group conferences as required.
Report suspected child abuse or neglect, immediately to the Abuse and Neglect Hotline and Case Management Supervisor.
Cross-system coordination (supporting child’s school, medical, behavioral health and other service needs)
Knowledge of T3C and Minimum Standards, STAR Health and HHSC Behavioral Health services, or able to learn these functions within 90 days.
Maintain compliance with all CK Family Services policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements including all state and federal laws (T3C Standards, CCR Minimum Standards, RCCL).
Maintain confidentiality as required by government law and regulations.
Perform other duties and tasks assigned.