Family Specialist (Grant Funded)

Job Summary

Responsible for strengthening family finding, engagement, and permanency efforts for children in foster care and for leading the development and implementation of a family finding strategy within Pulaski County CASA. This position is grant-funded, and continued employment is contingent upon availability and renewal of grant funding.

Essential Job Functions

• Establishes and implements a structured and sustainable family finding process, integrating and utilizing evidence-based models and training.
• Affords assistance in the development of policies, procedures, and tools related to the family finding process.
• Ensures family finding processes are aligned with dependency court expectations and permanency planning laws.
• Identifies cases appropriate for family finding efforts in collaboration with CASA staff; tracks and documents outcomes for grant reporting.
• Conducts family searches using available tools, records, and databases.
• Engages relatives and fictive kin to explore placement, permanency, and support options.
• Maintains records in appropriate case management systems in compliance with CASA standards and grant requirements to document efforts and processes.
• Provides support to CASA Advocates and other staff in implementing and integrating family finding strategies into case planning for assigned cases.
• Trains volunteers on genealogy tools, engagement strategies, and best practices related to the family finding process.
• Serves as a subject matter resource for complex family engagement situations.
• PARTNERS WITH DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS), ATTORNEYS, AND COURT STAKEHOLDERS TO SUPPORT FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS AND STRENGTHEN COLLABORATIVE PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT PERMANENCY AND PLACEMENT STABILITY.
• Adheres to all National CASA Association guidelines and standards.
• Participates in case staffing meetings, family team meetings, stakeholder meetings, and court-related discussions as needed.
• WORKS WITH NATIONAL AND STATE CASA TO FULFILL GRANT OBLIGATIONS.
• PREPARES STATISTICAL AND NARRATIVE REPORTS AS REQUIRED FOR GRANT COMPLIANCE.
• ATTENDS TRAINING AS REQUIRED BY CASA, INCLUDING THE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING CURRICULUM.

Secondary Duties And Responsibilities

Performs other related duties as required.

Personnel Supervised

None

Required Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of foster care systems, permanency planning, and family dynamics.
• Good knowledge of the potential emotional and physical needs of victims of child abuse and neglect, and the services within the community available for such victims.
• Good knowledge of the State and National CASA programs and regulations.
• Ability to engage families in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive manner.
• Ability to calmly evaluate and make mindful, strategic decisions in emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to conduct research, utilizing various resources and tools.
• Ability to prepare detailed statistical and narrative reports.
• Ability to handle confidential information in a reliable manner.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with CASA staff and volunteers, the attorney’s ad litem, the juvenile judges, grant providers, and the general public.
• Ability to attend work regularly and reliably.
• Skill in the operation of a computer, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Skill in the operation of various databases and case management systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to both individuals and groups.
• Digital dexterity necessary for keyboard operation.
• Visual acuity is necessary for the use of a computer screen.

Education And Experience

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field;
• Congruent work experience in child welfare, case management, or family engagement;
• or any combination of experience and training that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Requirements

• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check and child maltreatment check.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Accessibility Notice

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using or website to apply for employment, please contact humanresources@pulaskicounty.net or call (501) 340-6110.