What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Care Navigator Native American Outreach Worker position at Judson Center?
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Foster Care Navigator Native American Outreach
Reports To: Supervisor Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Job Summary: The Foster Care Navigator program provides one-on-one guidance to prospective foster families to help them navigate Michigan’s foster care system. Native American Outreach worker for the Foster Care Navigator will be an experienced foster or kinship parent who will provide information, support and guidance to families, DHS, private agencies and federally recognized tribes throughout the state, with an emphasis on providing outreach to the Native American community.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Foster Care Navigator Native American Outreach program is responsible for providing direct support and guidance to current and prospective foster parents through in-person contact, telephone contact, and/or email, depending on the needs of each family. The Native American Outreach Worker will assist prospective families in navigating through the licensing process and will, at times, serve as liaison between the licensing worker/child placing agency/tribe, and the current or prospective foster family when a need for clarification arises. Additionally, the Native American Outreach Worker will:
- Implement recruitment strategies and increase awareness of the need for foster families in the Native American community
- Provide educational resources, training and consultation to DHS/private agencies re: working with the Native American community
- Collaborate with tribes to create partnerships with DHS/private agencies (representation on committees, tribal meetings, etc.)
- Provide support and mentorship (navigation) for Native American families who are interested in being licensed foster parents and retention for those who are currently licensed
- Provide assistance/navigation for non-Native families with Native children in the home.
- Provide assistance/navigation for all interested families as assigned.
- Provide foster & adoptive parent pre-service training.
Job Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Personal experience with the child welfare system as a foster, adoptive, relative
or kinship caregiver - Knowledge of child welfare policies and procedures
- Involvement and familiarity with tribal communities, local foster family
community and foster family groups - Computer knowledge and skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to provide quality customer service primarily via phone and email
- Sensitive to the concerns of potential Native American foster parents
- Ability to establish rapport quickly and effectively with families
- Ability to share personal experiences with foster care in a professional manner with the public
- Ability to maintain contract compliance
- Cultural competence
- Ability to relate to current and prospective adoptive, foster and kinship families
- Ability to relate to local DHS, private agency personnel and tribal leaders.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate families with whom the
Coordinator of Native American Outreach works - Ability to travel/work statewide as necessary
- A valid Michigan driver’s license
- Central Registry Clearance documenting that there is no record of child abuse or
neglect - Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) check and a National and State
Sex Offender Registry check
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- None
Working Conditions
- Office environment
- Position based in Washtenaw County, statewide travel required
- Position may require evening and weekend hours
This description is intended to describe the type and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of a person so classified. The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and perform other duties as assigned for the good of the consumers, the program, the department and the agency.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE POSITION DESCRIPTION AND HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF IT. IN ADDITION, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SUPERVISOR WILL FURTHER EXPLAIN THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ME DURING MY PROGRAM ORIENTATION. IF I NEED FURTHER CLARIFICATION, I WILL ADDRESS QUESTIONS TO MY SUPERVISOR.
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Employee’s Signature Date
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