WENDY'S WONDERFUL KIDS ADOPTION RECRUITER

About the Role

The Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Recruiter will implement the WWK child-focused recruitment model to serve children in foster care who do not have an identified permanent adoptive resource. This position requires travel to Brooklyn and Long Island in addition to the primary office in Jamaica Avenue, Queens.

Responsibilities

• Maintain active caseloads of 12-15 children and an average total caseload of 18 children.
• Conduct initial referral services by establishing contact with the child’s caseworker, gathering initial referral information, scheduling file reviews, and meeting with each child.
• Build relationships through monthly in-person meetings with each child to develop trust.
• Conduct in-depth case record reviews, including:
  • Date and reason the child entered the system.
  • Child’s most recent profile and assessment.
  • Chronological placement history.
  • Significant services provided to the child, currently or in the past.
  • Identification of needed services.
  • All significant people in the child’s life (caseworkers, foster parents, attorneys, CASA volunteers, teachers, therapists, relatives, mentors, faith-based representatives, extracurricular activity leaders, etc.).
  • Next upcoming court date.
• Provide family search efforts by identifying, locating, and contacting individuals with whom the child has or had a bond, with caseworker approval. Conduct LexisNexis searches, web searches, diligent search requests, and putative father registry checks.
• Develop and update quarterly written assessments of each child, evaluating strengths, challenges, adoption readiness, and any pre-adoption needs.
• Address barriers to adoption through adoption readiness efforts and assess family preparedness during the matching process.
• Build and maintain a network with individuals close to the child (caseworkers, foster parents, CASA volunteers, teachers, relatives, mentors, etc.) through regular contact.
• Develop or enhance a comprehensive, customized recruitment plan for each child, reviewed monthly and updated quarterly.
• Attend Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Summits.
• Submit monthly Statistical Online Database Reports.
• Fulfill the duty of a Mandated Reporter by reporting suspected child abuse or maltreatment.
• Meet consistently with a supervisor to discuss caseload safety and permanency issues.
• Collaborate with SCO foster care support staff (Youth Skills Coaches, Educational/Vocational Specialists, Parent Advocates, medical and mental health staff) and external partners (NYC Children’s Services, schools, consultants, etc.).
• Adhere to SCO’s personnel policies and perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; BSW or MSW preferred.
• Approved background clearances and fingerprinting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Connections.
• Bilingual abilities strongly encouraged.
• Valid NYS Driver License.
• Ability to drive to Long Island, Bronx, and Westchester facilities as required.
• Tech-savvy with experience in sales as a plus.

Qualifications

• Team player with a commitment to maintaining a constructive, cooperative, and positive atmosphere.
• Dedication to the agency’s mission and values.
• Ability to empathize and provide quality services to children and families with histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
• Willingness to work with diverse cultural, religious, socio-economic backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change; ability to forge mutually respectful partnerships with those served and their families.
• Flexibility to work extended or irregular hours as needed.
• Willingness to travel between EFFC offices and other agency sites.
• Ability to set limits, maintain professional boundaries, and intervene appropriately.