Adoption Specialist

Essential Functions

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships required for proper functioning within the role of an Adoption Specialist to include:
  • Relationships as a member of the interdisciplinary team within the unit, particularly in supporting other team members as appropriate and expected.
  • Relationships with supervisory staff, emphasizing proper response to and use of supervision, and appropriate reliance on supervisory staff to guide their activities during unusual circumstances.
  • Relationships with primary case management staff to ensure effective collaboration and timely adoption finalizations.
  • Relationships with community resource providers, particularly emphasizing facilitation of the referral process and providing continuity of care.
  • Relationships with children and families, including awareness of and attention to developmental issues related to interpersonal functioning within the family environment.
• Provide adoption case management services, including assessment, planning, linking, monitoring, and advocacy to assigned children through case assignment through adoption finalization.
• Provide consultation and training to foster parents, prospective adoption parents, and service providers to achieve the goal of adoption for children identified as not likely to result in reunification.
• Aid the foster and adoptive parents as they begin to resolve problems, overcome obstacles, and access resources.
• Input and audit Adoption Exchange information.
• Inform interested parties of the Adoption Reunion Registry.
• Verify that all relatives are explored prior to considering adoption outside of the child(ren)'s biological family.
• Complete child studies, adoption home-studies, subsidy paperwork, and other adoption related paperwork as required.
• Participate in separated sibling staffings as required.
• Participate in Adoption Applicant Review Committee (AARC) staffings as required.
• Collaborate with adoption recruitment staff regarding recruitment activities as required.
• Ensure families are staffed with the multi-disciplinary team as needed or as is appropriate.
• Develop and ensure service/case plan includes specific task assignments with timelines and meets all legal requirements under Chapter 39 and Florida Administrative Code.
• Provide families with educational information to enhance their awareness of child abuse and neglect, promotes family stability, and a healthy family system.
• Maintain electronic and paper records of each case, ensuring that chronological notes and activities are accurate and entered timely into the appropriate data system.
• Ensure all legal/judicial work is prepared timely and in accordance with the Florida statute.
• Refer children and families to appropriate community services and otherwise ensures continuity of care for children and families.
• Treat all children and families with the utmost respect and common courtesy.
• Participate in staff development programs and opportunities.
• Participate in team meetings, client care and utilization reviews, and other meetings as required.
• Function as a member of the on-call team as required.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human service-related field, 1+ year experience in foster care and adoptions or related job preferred.
• Preferred knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed principles and practices, including the importance of creating a safe environment, fostering trust, promoting collaboration, and empowering individuals.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel locally on a regular basis and regionally or statewide as needed; ability to bend, lift, and carry 30 pounds.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing.
• Ability to document timely in a clear, concise manner.
• Must possess skills necessary to assess, interpret, and deliver care-related information concerning the life-span development of children and families.
• Required to become certified as a Child Welfare Case Manager (CWCM).
• May require the use of your personally owned vehicle.
• Must possess a positive attitude concerning all aspects of working in a challenging environment, including significant patience and respect for children and families who can become angry and demanding.
• Must be sensitive to cultural needs and willing to serve as a positive member of a working team.
• Functions as a mandatory reporter, ensuring child safety, and protection.
• Must possess demonstrated knowledge of community resources.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by the FYA’s current insurance carrier.
• Arrive/report to work on time and ready to work.
• Abide by principles of EEO compliance and a workplace of dignity and respect.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a group/team setting.
• Ability to take guidance and direction from supervisors.
• Abide by core values and mission of YFA.
• Ability to have a flexible work schedule.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suites.