Permanency Specialist

Company: Texans Together

Location: Houston, TX

Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt

Reports to: Mentor Program Specialist

About the role

The Permanency Specialist supports children and families throughout the child welfare process by managing cases after children have been removed from their homes and placed in substitute care. This role assesses each child’s needs, coordinates services and evaluations, conducts kinship home studies, and ensures caregivers have the resources and information needed to provide safe, stable care. The Specialist works closely with children, families, foster caregivers, community partners, and legal stakeholders to develop permanency plans, identify permanent living arrangements, facilitate reunification when appropriate, and advocate for the child’s well‑being. Responsibilities include monthly child visits, court preparation and testimony, case documentation, and collaboration with community, medical, legal, and law‑enforcement partners to achieve positive outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Receive cases from investigators after children are removed and placed in care outside their homes.
• Determine each child’s needs and ensure appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, or further assessments.
• Work with children, families, and communities to plan for a child’s permanency.
• Identify potential permanency resources through ongoing contact with parents, family members, and other important individuals.
• Conduct searches for potential kinship providers and complete home studies of family members or family friends.
• Meet with parents to assess safety and risk factors, identify necessary behavioral changes, and connect families to services and resources.
• Participate in case meetings and conferences with children, parents, relatives, foster families, and other parties in appropriate settings.
• Collaborate with the Placement Team, including Kinship staff, to identify, coordinate, and support placement options.
• Conduct monthly visits with children to assess safety, plan for permanency, and discuss needs, wishes, and progress.
• Attend and participate in court hearings, prepare reports, and provide testimony regarding the child’s needs and case activities.
• Maintain timely communication with children, parents, caregivers, court‑appointed attorneys, guardians ad litem, and other parties.
• Support kinship caregivers and foster parents by providing case updates, answering questions, and offering after‑hours support as required.
• Facilitate reunification services and support families until the legal case is closed.
• Supervise adoptive placements until adoption is final or the case is transferred.
• Document case records through forms, narratives, and reports.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Child Protective Investigations staff, law enforcement, judicial officials, medical professionals, and community resources.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Education, or Public Health.
• Minimum one (1) year case management experience in CPS, CPI, or DFPS.
• Previous professional or volunteer experience in a government agency, nonprofit, child protection, foster care, juvenile justice, mental health, or substance‑abuse services.
• Familiarity with trauma‑informed care and/or experience conducting interviews or assessments with children and families.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience providing mentorship, coaching, or guidance to staff in CPS, CPI, or DFPS roles.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Skilled in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem‑solving techniques to assess situations, identify solutions, and address case‑related challenges.
• Proficiency with personal computers and standard office software applications.
• Cultural awareness, sensitivity, and respect when working with diverse children, families, caregivers, and partners.
• Effective time‑management skills to ensure key tasks are completed.
• Willingness to travel and attend child and family visits, including after 5 p.m. appointments.
• Ability to be on‑call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
• Capacity to work in an emotion‑filled environment, including home visits in isolated or high‑crime areas and exposure to substandard living conditions.

Work Conditions

• Environment: Home‑based.
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Travel: Frequent; must have reliable transportation, a valid Texas driver’s license, and current auto insurance.