Adoptions Specialist

Job Summary
Under assigned supervisor, the Adoption Specialist 1 meets with families in their homes at various hours of the day including evenings, nights, and weekends, in potentially high-risk neighborhoods; focuses on the prevention of inappropriate out-of-home placement, strengthening and improving family functioning, and ensuring child safety.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Arranges match staffings for prospective adoptive families
• Assist individuals and families in crisis in a way that promotes positive change, growth development and safety for all families
• Attends all recruitment and match events
• Attends and is prepared for internal TPR cases with supervisors and case management at least once a month
• Attends court hearings, prepares and files all court documents within required 
timeframes
• Completes adopt only home studies, child studies, OTI and ICPC adoption home studies and subsidy files
• Conducts full-disclosures for potential adoptive families
• Conducts visits with children and prospective adoptive families that include the ongoing assessment of child safety, permanency and well-being
• Continually assesses risk of abuse, neglect and threatened harm by gathering 
appropriate information
• Engages and assesses families from a strengths based perspective
• Ensures children are registered on the adoption exchange within 10 days
• Ensures that post placement is completed within one week of the child being placed in the identified prospective adoptive family’s home
• Facilitates placement and delivery services in collaboration with biological, foster and adoptive families, including appropriate referrals
• Knowledge of the Adoption Program Administrative Rule (Chapter 65C-16)
• Meets with team on a weekly basis
• Must see the child in the home at least twice a month upon a matched placement
• Performs adoption related responsibilities in accordance with state and federal laws, Department of Children and Families Administrative Codes and Operating Procedures, funding source policies, and internal policies on child abuse, abandonment, and neglect within required time frames
• Prepare staffing packet for the adoption review committee upon a denial of an adoption home study
• Serves as a conduit of information between all parties to the case and identified 
stakeholders including medical, educational and mental health providers
• Utilizes empowerment approaches to provide case plan development with children and families
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in Social Work, Criminology, 
Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Special Education, Education, Human 
Development, Child Development, Family Development, Marriage & 
Family Therapy, or Nursing from an accredited college or university

Experience: One to Two years of related child welfare experience; one year of child welfare adoptions
Certification: State of Florida; Child Welfare Certification
Other: Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance, knowledge of FSFN adoption procedures; workable knowledge of community resources

Required Skills
1. Ability to assess, interpret, and deliver care-related information concerning the life-span development of children and families 
2. Excellent written and oral communication, with ability to document in a clear, concise manner 
3. Highly organized, yet flexible and can handle multiple projects and or priorities well with the ability to manage tight deadlines
4. Proficient computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and adaptive skills to expand software application skills as necessary
5. Intermediate data entry skills
6. Positive attitude concerning all aspects of working in a challenging environment (including significant patience and respect for children and families who can become quite angry and demanding), sensitivity to cultural needs, and ability to serve as a positive member of a working team
7. Proficient computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and adaptive skills to expand software application skills as necessary
8. Resourcefulness in researching issues, analyzing information skillfully, solving problems, and developing solutions with minimal supervision in a timely manner
9. Must be willing to work non-traditional work hours and non-traditional days when needed and or appropriate
10. Ability to exercise discretion and ensure confidentiality

Physical Demands & Work Environment 
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. The position requires visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need; and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, computer, and copier. The employee is occasionally required to move items up to 50 pounds. The employee works in varied residential environments based on assigned caseload and may encounter unpredictable clients. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions. The employee must be able to enter and exit a vehicle or a building without assistance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently drive an automobile, taking clients to appointments, in the local and regional area. Occasionally, travel is outside the local area and overnight.

 

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
• Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days, up to 6 paid Personal Days, and up to 5 paid Sick days annually
• Medical, dental, vision, 403b Retirement, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and short-term disability options
• Agency paid life up to $50K based on salary
• Voluntary Supplemental Life for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
• Voluntary Legal Plans
• Agency paid long term after 1 year of employment
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
• Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations

• 800 talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois, and Florida
• Fiscally stable, $70 Million agency-- strong since 1895
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support