Licensing/Adoption Specialist - PT

Catholic Charities Comm•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

There are more than 13,000 children in the state of Arizona in need of a foster home. At Catholic Charities Community Services, we believe that every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment. We strive to create the right fit for families and children with foster placement. But it doesn’t end there. Our amazing staff support our foster families throughout the entire licensing process and continue to support them by providing the education and resources they need to take on the important role of a foster parent. JOB SUMMARY: The Licensing/Adoption Specialist works to strengthen children and foster families by moving children to permanency through adoption, while preserving connections to family and community. Responsibilities include licensing foster homes, certifying adoptive families, completing case management, assessments and home studies. Collaborate with community partners and governmental agencies in the area.

Requirements

Education /Background: Minimum of a High School Diploma or Equivalent with at least three (3) years that can be a combination of education, experience and completed training necessary for licensing and/or certification services to foster or adoptive families.. Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field with at least one year of experience in the Child Welfare or relevant field.
Job Knowledge: Must have knowledge and understanding of human behavior, social work theories and techniques, and community resources. Knowledge and understanding of adoption process and laws preferred. Must have familiarity with foster care; have good interviewing skills and case recording skills. Must have good writing and teaching skills. Must be proficient in Microsoft office such as Word and Outlook.
Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Must be able to stoop, bend, squat, sit on floor and ambulate over uneven floor surfaces including stairs and steps. Must be able to visually and auditory assess and interact with clients to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Requires considerable work outside of the office and substantial driving throughout the county; requires evening and weekend work on occasion and willingness to be on-call for emergencies; may lift up to 30 pounds.
Valid AZ driver’s license, reliable transportation and ability to show proof of registration/insurance.
Level One Fingerprint clearance or ability to obtain fingerprint clearance; must maintain clearance.
You must be 21 years of age or older to drive on behalf of Catholic Charities.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and understanding of adoption process and laws preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides comprehensive case management services to foster parents and adoption parents including provision of support, information and monitoring of case, including post-adoption follow through.
Monitors foster and adoptive homes via in-home visits and phone calls according to contract requirements. Provides support and consultation services to families. Assists families with completing the Family Support Plan and Monitoring Plans, if applicable, and reviews required documentation the family maintains for the children/youth in their care. Provides all necessary re-licensure documentation to families within time frames specified by contract.
Provides assessments and prepares home studies for prospective adoptive parents pursing adoption; provides recommendations to the court for certification and meets other court requirements.
Compiles and maintains case records on all families according to Agency procedures. Documents all family and collateral contacts. Reviews files regularly to make certain all relevant documents are present and in order; maintains timeliness in all documentation; adheres to practice standards regarding documentation.
Assesses the needs of each family and arranges for peer support, community resources or training as needed through regular visits and phone calls.
Observes the general functioning of the home, meets individually on a regular basis with the children in the home, and with all family members.
Attends the family’s participation in Child and Family Team meetings and supports the family to communicate with DCS case managers and with the biological families of the children in placement as indicated in the case plan.
Responds to licensing inquiries, DCS referrals and other concerns regarding foster homes and/or adoptive homes. Works as part of a team to address formal complaints, inquiries or concerns. Identifies resources needed to target deficiencies or problems and ensures proscribed changes are carried out.
Participates as a team member in reviewing prospective adoptive families, reviews request for adoptive homes, makes recommendations for prospective placements for children.
Prepares periodic licensing or certification renewal reports and collects backup documentation within statutory and contractual time frames. Sends reports electronically using electronic database or as mandated by contract to OLR or County court.
Works closely with and in cooperation with the child’s case manager from DCS or birth family to assure a smooth transition between the child and the foster or adoptive family. Reports problems to supervisor, program manager and/or DCS. Supervises adoption placements and assists families with adjustment issues; keeps abreast of the adoption process and appropriate court dates, facilitates the completion of the adoption in the court system.
Assists with arranging group support or training activities for assigned families. This may include working to plan and carry out educational workshops, holiday events or peer support activities.
Attends DCS meetings (CFT, TDM, etc.) to obtain information about available children needing adoptive placements. Works closely and in cooperation with DCS case managers to assist in placement decisions; participates as a team member in reviewing prospective adoptive families, reviews requests for adoptive homes, and makes recommendations for prospective placements of children.
Provides case management services to adoptive families; assists adoptive parents in learning about children who may be available for adoption; participates in staffing’s when family is being considered for placement; provides support and consultation and refers adoptive families to other resources as needed to assure a smooth transition to placement between the parents and child/ren. Assists with subsidy applications as appropriate for each case, and files court paperwork to finalize the adoption.
Assists families in bridging between foster care and adoption services as requested; working closely with other staff members to make the process as seamless as possible for families. Compiles all paperwork necessary to recommend family for certification for adoption.
Completes monthly billing and data reports according to supervisor’s specifications by assigned due date. Responds to requests for statistical information. Participates in the agency continuous quality improvement activities, specifically in quarterly peer file reviews.
Participates in informational meetings, adoption and foster education seminars and/or post placement groups.
Model professional standards and ethics in accordance with agency philosophy.
Promote ongoing commitment to excellence and continual quality improvement to ensure the highest quality of services to our staff and clients.
Performs other duties as assigned.