Families United Specialist

Department: General Support HR Approval: February 5, 2025

FSLA Status: Exempt Reports to: Director of Families United

Summary of Position

Families United is a comprehensive relative support program dedicated to assisting relatives and kinship

caregivers in navigating the foster care licensing process while offering emotional and practical support.

We recognize that kinship placements can occur unexpectedly, often placing immediate and significant

responsibilities on caregivers. Our goal is to support families every step of the way, providing advocacy,

education, resources, and crisis assistance to help them maintain stable, healthy homes for their loved

ones.

The Families United program offers license-ready assistance which focuses on guiding families through

the entire foster care licensing process. This includes completing home studies, gathering necessary

documents, attending court hearings, providing required training, and connecting families with

community resources. Once a family is licensed, ongoing support continues until the child’s case closes.

This is a part-time position, with expected working hours up to 20 hours per week.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Guide relative caregivers through the licensing process: Assist in completing necessary

forms, conducting home assessments using the SAFE model, and provide ongoing support

throughout the foster care journey.

• Conduct home visits and maintain communication: Complete at least four home visits and

maintain weekly communication with families through phone calls, emails, or in-person visits to

offer continuous support, coaching, and resources.

• Facilitate caregiver training: Lead pre-service and in-service training for caregivers, including

specialized training such as STARS Training, Informed Consent, Psychotropic Medication

Management, and other relevant topics.

• Advocate for families: Represent and support families during meetings and court hearings,

ensuring they understand the child welfare system and policies related to foster care, adoption,

and guardianship.

• Engage families proactively: Ensure wraparound services are provided, guiding families

through the pre- and post-licensing process and addressing any concerns related to placement

stability.

• Maintain thorough documentation: Ensure all required paperwork, including intake forms,

assessments, progress notes, maintenance plans, and closing summaries, is completed in a

professional and timely manner.

• Participate in team and agency meetings: Attend team and agency meetings, engage in

professional consultations, and collaborate with internal and external partners to share insights

and receive guidance.

• Utilize software platforms: Track, collect, and report program data using platforms such as

Salesforce, ensuring timely and accurate reporting as required by the Foster & Adoptive Care

Coalition and funders.

• Respond to communication promptly: Maintain a flexible work schedule to respond to

communications from staff, clients, professionals, volunteers, and donors in a timely manner.

• Demonstrate cultural competence: Respect and engage effectively with individuals from

diverse backgrounds, ensuring interactions are inclusive and respectful of all races, religions,

genders, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic statuses.

• Adhere to organizational standards: Follow the Coalition’s Employee Code of Conduct, Social

Work Ethics, and Shared Values to maintain integrity and professionalism in all aspects of the

role.

• Maintain up-to-date records: Complete daily activity logs, ensure the work calendar is current,

and maintain accurate case records in line with program requirements and policies.

• Stay informed about policy: Continuously review and adhere to Missouri Children’s Division

policies, ensuring effective navigation of their policy manual for case management and

advocacy.

• Integrate feedback and collaborate effectively: Receive feedback from training, coaching, and

supervision, and demonstrate a strong ability to work collaboratively within a team setting to

improve service delivery.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Assist with administrative tasks and volunteer responsibilities as needed.

• Support other agency programs to achieve organizational goals.

• Perform other duties as assigned, with or without accommodation

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related social service field required.

Experience

• Direct professional work experience in foster care licensing

• Minimum of two years in child welfare field with direct experience working with foster and

adoptive families

• STARS Train the Trainer certified is preferred

• SAFE trained or available to complete training within 60 days

Skills & Competencies:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce (or similar software).

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to build relationships with families and community resources.

• Creative problem-solving skills.

• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

• Experience working in multicultural environments and understanding diverse family needs.

• Knowledge of Missouri Children’s Division policies.

Additional Requirements:

• Automobile, automobile insurance, and valid driver’s license required.

• Occasional transportation of children/families.

• Must maintain confidentiality and have a clean criminal history.

• Must fulfill mandated reporting responsibilities in Missouri.

• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and commitment to high ethical standards.

• This position requires passing background checks (references, Family Care Safety Registry, Form

1-9, etc.).

Agency Accountability:

• Complete daily activity logs and maintain an updated Outlook calendar.

• Adhere to the Coalition’s Shared Values, Employee Code of Conduct, and Social Work Code of

Ethics.

Working Conditions:

• Flexibility required, with evening and weekend hours as needed.

• The Coalition office is considered home-base with primary office hours Monday-Friday 8:30 AM

– 4:30 PM. This position requires work outside of those hours to meet the needs of clients and

program expectations.

• The physical requirements of this job include sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, lifting to

25 lbs., and pulling and/or pushing on occasion.

• Work performed in both community and office settings.

• Use of an insured vehicle is required for local travel.

Agency Shared Values

Employees of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition agree to hold themselves and their colleagues to

the following values:

• Equity: We insist on fairness and respect. We are deliberate in ensuring everyone has safety,

opportunity, access, and support to be heard.

• Family: We are family. We are connected and support one another in meeting the needs of our

own families and the families we serve. We assume the best and are committed to each other.

• Diversity: We celebrate differences and harness the power that diversity brings. Every viewpoint

is heard and honored. We are stronger because of our differences.

• Innovation & Excellence: We are intentional about knowing better and doing better, using

innovation and solution-focus approaches with courageous passion and excellence.

• Inclusion: We respect, leverage, and engage everyone’s unique strengths and talents so each

individual can contribute to their full potential.

• Integrity: We are an agency built on integrity, maintaining a culture of trust, respect,

transparency, and honesty. We walk in our truth and uphold ethical standards.

• Courage: We stand up for each other and what is right for our clients and stakeholders with

truth, vulnerability, and accountability.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: We develop and maintain authentic relationships by being flexible

and open-minded and maximizing the strengths of each individual in the team to accomplish

the best outcome for our children and families. Everyone contributes to leadership.

Job Description Acknowledgment

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have received, reviewed, and fully understand the job description

for this position. I am aware of my responsibilities and the expectations outlined, and I am committed

to fulfilling the essential functions of this role.

Printed Employee Name: Date:

Employee Signature:

Chief Program Officer: Date:

Employee Signature:

Chief Human Resources
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Officer:

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