Foster Care And Adoption Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is a non-profit organization with Corporate Offices in Phoenix and Tucson and additional offices throughout Arizona.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest administers programs and services to help build collaborative Community Partnerships and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
Working for our organization is a positive, challenging and rewarding experience with opportunities for personal and professional development.
Exempt: Non-Exempt Base Wage: $22.50 Reports to: Program Supervisor Department: Children and Family Services Supervisory Position: No Program: Foster Care and ICPC Location: Phoenix, Arizona Position Type: Regular Date: January 2024
General Description In concert with the Supervisor, this position completes assessment home studies and provides monitoring and supervision for kinship caregivers, licensed foster parents, and/or adoptive parents in their homes. The job requires sensitivity to the program population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Program Aide Essential Duties & Responsibilities WEIGHT DESCRIPTION 10 Demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of the scope of work and program objectives. Conduct all activities with a commitment to the organization's mission and strategic plan; focus efforts to inspire a client-centered approach to quality service delivery and operational excellence; uphold all policies and procedures.
40 Home Studies 1. Assist families with completing paperwork for home study process.
2. Write comprehensive studies, renewals, midterms, and amendments about referred families, evaluating skills and appropriateness for kinship placement, foster care licensure and/or adoption.
Monitoring and Supervision 1. Complete supervision and monitoring services for children who are wards of the court through visiting with children and their kinship caregivers, foster parents, and/or adoptive parents in their homes ensuring contract and licensing standards, state laws and regulatory requirements are being met.
2. Use excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to write monthly supervision reports.
3. Assess family needs and provides developmentally appropriate information, guidance, parenting information, life skills, and support that meet the needs of each family. Help families connect to community resources, advocate for the children's needs, and offer supportive services through home visiting.
4. Work in collaboration with the contracting funders in order to better serve children and families.
5. Maintains timely and accurate client records in compliance with LSS-SW and governmental requirements.
6. Attend monthly consultations with families including court hearings, Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) meetings, and Child and Family Team (CFTS) meetings
7. Investigate complaints on foster homes and work cooperatively with law enforcement, child protective services and adult protective services as needed.

25 Foster Care Respite Arrange for a qualified alternative caregiver to ensure that the Foster Home receives a break from care. Verify the credentials of the alternative caregiver. Foster Care Recruitment Attend agency sponsored Foster Care family events and participates in recruitment events. Provide orientation opportunities for potential families, through group or one on one presentations, and with special provisions to address linguistic or other accommodations needed. Adoption Complete adoptive home studies and assist families with the completion of the application for adoption certification. Submit the application to the designated entity (the courts) in counties where applicable. Assist families in keeping the adoption certification current through the filing of the petition to adopt.

10 Participate in team meetings and/or individual supervision to review ongoing family issues to ensure families meet the statement of need. Develop and maintain relationships with collaborating agencies, local communities and congregations. Attend area coalition meetings; represent LSS-SW in public relations, educational and professional situations. Assist in coordinating special events (i.e. Parent Appreciation and Family Fun Events). Assist with the development of written materials for families (i.e. handbook, brochures).
5 Provide excellent customer service and exhibit respectful, professional conduct in all communications, including in-person, written, and via technology. This includes good working communication with funders and community partners; the ability to set appropriate professional boundaries; to respond to and manage conflict that may arise; and to maintain a positive, customer-oriented attitude at all times.
5 Maintain an established work schedule, including a high level of self-direction and responsibility. May include travel throughout the State of Arizona and overnight stay. Occasional driving in personal and/or agency vehicle to satellite offices, job fairs, off-site meetings in surrounding counties. Attend regional conferences out of state. Flexible schedule to meet work, program and project deadlines
2.5 Present and model a professional attitude, respect cultural and ethnic differences and wear professional attire at all times.
2.5 Perform other duties as assigned to meet program needs.

Qualifications Requirements: To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED. Have at least one year experience in the Human Services field working with children, families, and or adults Must be at least 21 years of age. Provide and maintain a current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, clear the Department of Economic Security Central Registry Background Check and a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must maintain valid AZ Driver's License, a clear driving record and reliable transportation for the duration of employment. Clean drug testing records including pre-employment drug testing results and random annual drug testing results. Must show proof of freedom from TB before client contact. Obtain training as required by ADCS and DDD within 30 days of hire. Obtain and maintain up to date COVID-19 vaccinations when available. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Skills in English/ Spanish composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Ability to relate well with families of varied lifestyles, backgrounds and ethnicities. Experience in cultural diversity. Ability to assess family's strengths and weaknesses. Ability to recognize signs of abuse/neglect Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance. Participate in ongoing Professional Development Training. Training must be relevant to position Ability to work independently with high initiative. Ability to travel to throughout the state and provide own transportation as requested by the Supervisor. Language Skills: Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need, working with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community.
Mathematical Skills: Good ability to calculate figures.
Reasoning Skills: Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from the Program Manager.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time. The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment. The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively. The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility. Maintain valid AZ Driver License, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation. Ability to work within mission of LSS-SW. All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.
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