WWK Adoptions Care Coordinator

Under the supervision of the Foster Care Supervisor, the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Care Coordinator works in a collaborative, fast-paced environment to connect children and youth in need of permanency with families who wish to adopt or provide guardianship. This role implements and coordinates effective recruitment, matching, and support services for a caseload of 12-15 children/youth using the WWK evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model. These children/youth are typically over the age of 9, have special needs, and/or are part of a sibling group.

About the Organization

Allies for Every Child (Allies) exists to give at-risk children and children living in poverty the foundation they need to increase their life choices and lead fulfilling lives. For nearly 40 years, Allies has provided thousands of at-risk children and their families with critical, high-quality child development and family wellness programs, including comprehensive early education, Early Head Start services, family strengthening interventions, foster care and adoption services, and a range of vital, integrated services such as mental health services, educational assessments, trauma and disabilities screenings/advocacy, nutrition services, dental and vision screenings, and pediatric health consultations.

Responsibilities

• Review case records, interview children/youth, caseworkers, other agency staff, and available family members or supportive connections to assist in the recruitment process.
• Utilize internet search and other tools to identify and locate contacts within the child’s/youth’s network to explore potential adoptive caregivers.
• Create child-focused recruitment plans and meet with the child/youth in person monthly.
• Develop an initial written adoption readiness assessment describing the youth’s understanding and feelings about adoption.
• Meet with the DCFS caseworker monthly to review the progress of the recruitment plan and locate possible permanent caregivers.
• Serve as an advocate for WWK participants in achieving permanency.
• Engage with family members and adult supportive connections to explore possible caregivers, including cold calling identified leads.
• Once matched, work with the caseworker, child/youth, and prospective adoptive caregiver(s) to ensure pre-placement visits are implemented and adoption finalization is progressing.
• Assist with the development and coordination of transition planning and provide placement support throughout the process.
• Manage, maintain, and update participant files, complete case records, and perform administrative duties as required.
• Ensure timely, accurate completion of monthly data entry in the WWK database and agency workbooks.
• Attend and participate in mandated trainings, work groups, UP4Youth activities, focus groups, and staff development/training activities.
• Attend educational opportunities provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, including WWK classroom training, online modules, database training, webinars, and the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Summit.
• Support audits, reporting, and quality improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with foster care and adoption programs, attend monthly team meetings, and participate in agency events (e.g., Arts Fest, Summer Picnic).
• Work with the UP4Youth Program to connect WWK participants to mentors and refer eligible youth for transition-age services.
• Evening and weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with two (2) years’ post-graduate experience.
• Fingerprint background clearance (DOJ, FBI & Child Abuse Clearance Index), or approved exemption.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical, PPD test/risk assessment, proof of immunizations for pertussis (Tdap) within the past 10 years, measles (MMR), and influenza (can decline).
• Valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and access to reliable transportation. Personal transportation is required.
• Alignment with Allies’ mission and philosophy.

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of issues surrounding foster care, adoption, trauma, and the child welfare system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to promote and safeguard the rights and well-being of children and youth in foster care, including LGBTQ+ clients, through education, advocacy, and community support.
• Experience providing field-based services; travel throughout Los Angeles County is required.
• Strong ability to seek and synthesize information and produce detail-oriented work.
• Organizational skills to manage workload and prioritize responsibilities.
• Dynamic, outgoing, and effective communication with diverse audiences, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop productive relationships with colleagues and clients; exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, embracing opportunities to work across diverse cultures.
• Ability to handle and manage confidential information in compliance with HIPAA standards and agency policies.
• Serve as a role model for children/youth, transition-age youth (TAY), and families served by Allies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of system of care issues as they relate to child welfare services.
• Dedication to creating and supporting culturally responsive services provided by a culturally diverse workforce.
• Experience working with children and youth in foster care and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to them.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred but not required).

Benefits

• 12 holidays per calendar year.
• 10 sick leave days per year.
• 10 vacation days per year (increases with tenure).
• 2 personal days – birthday and anniversary of employment.
• 10 jury duty days.
• 100% employer contribution to health insurance (Kaiser or Anthem), dental, and vision.
• Pet insurance.
• 401k retirement plan with 50% employer match – 100% vested.
• 100% employer-paid life and accidental insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – for team members and dependents.
• Discounts for movie tickets, amusement parks, travel, hotels, sporting events, and shows.
• Initial and ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Employee referral incentive pay – $1500.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
• Credit union membership.

Pay

$25.00 – $29.00 per hour (expected salary range for this California position; actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law).