Family Finding & Step-Down Specialist
Applying for:
Job Summary:
This position involves conducting extensive searches to locate and engage relatives and non-relative for children in care. In addition, this position will be facilitating staffings to transition children in care from residential group care to less restrictive, family-centered placements. This is an autonomous, highly driven professional position to achieve permanency for children and families.
Essential Functions:
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Establish and maintain positive working relationship with HFC customers
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Utilize mapping and family finding techniques to thorough search, engage relatives and non-relatives for the placement of children
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Meet with youth to build rapport to discuss the youth’s history, identifying possible friends, family and connections
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Lead residential stepdown staffings ensuring least restrictive placement options have been explored
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Maintain a residential tracking and family finding log to track tasks, progress on assigned projects and follow up on completed tasks with case management organizations in real-time for step-down efforts
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Attend, participate and conduct family finding group discussions/staffings in the decision-making with all parties involved
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Regularly review and identify any changes to Florida Statutes, Department of Children & Families operational procedures, administrative rules and policies ensuring all parties are aware of changes and potential problems
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Maintain confidentiality and open communication with life coaches, case management organization
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Perform special projects as assigned
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Experience working with teenagers in foster care, knowledge of the child welfare system, customer service and child welfare certification preferred. Minimum of two years of experience working with children and families required. Requires proficiency using MS Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Benefits:
Excellent benefits package with tuition assistance, domestic partner coverage, retirement and generous paid time off.
Additional Information:
Drug free workplace. Drug testing required. EOE/M/F/D/V.