Adoption Specialist

Dual Program Adoption Specialist Job Description

Position Title:

Adoption Specialist

Supervisor:

State Ward/Domestic Adoption Supervisor

Full Time Position: 20 Hours Per Program

FLAS EXEMPT POSITION

ENTRY LEVEL POSITION

Effective Date: 5/1/2022

Hybrid Schedule; Office and Remote

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human behavioral science, education or related field is required.

Job Overview:

The State Ward Adoption Specialist is Part-time (20 hours per week). That person is responsible for the day-to-day needs of a caseload of state ward adoption cases and for ensuring compliance of cases with the applicable provisions of all governing rules. This position maintains a caseload of youth legally free for adoption from the child welfare system. The Adoption Specialist provides case support, assessment and support of children awaiting adoption as well as to families interested in adopting children served by the program. This position may also be assigned the foster care cases of children awaiting adoption, as necessary to meet departmental needs.

The Domestic Adoption Specialist is Part-time (20 hours per week). That person is responsible for pregnancy counseling and private infant adoption specialist needed for the agency’s domestic infant adoption program. Individual should be compassionate and have the ability to provide pregnancy counseling to woman in need throughout the Detroit metro area. This position works with expectant parents within the community, and assesses requests for pregnancy and adoption related services. This position also works with prospective adoptive parents, including home assessments on prospective adoptive applicants.

Extensive knowledge of Michigan private adoption laws and the domestic adoption process is desired as duties include extensive work with adoption attorneys and within the legal system for adoptive placements. Must have exceptional interpersonal skills and confidence working with pregnant women and their families in a variety of housing environments, including in-home visits. Occasional transport of clients is needed as well.

The Adoption Specialist is focused on developing the necessary knowledge and skills to follow the laws, policies, and administrative procedures to legally follow the steps of an adoption. The Adoption Specialist will understand principles of human behavior and development, exhibit professionalism while working in a team environment, utilize time management skills and have the ability to locate/utilize community resoures essential to their role.

Qualifications:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human behavioral science, education or related field is required. A Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Social Work is preferred. Experience in a professional setting with youth and families is preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills, professionalism, organizational skills and comfort with computer technology/database entry is required.

Appropriate candidate for this position must have the ability to:

Handle stress well, have the ability to be an active listener with good observation, experience in client interviewing and assessment/evaluation skills, be flexible and handle change, be a team player yet able to work independently, able to multi-task well, task oriented, non-judgmental and maintain case responsibility and follow through with multiple competing demands. Candidate should have a clear sense of personal boundaries. Candidate must be comfortable in having crucial conversations and advocating for individual’s best interests. Must be able to effectively handle the highly charged emotions of clients, as well as personal emotions raised by the adoption process, crisis pregnancy, substance abuse and poverty.

Candiate must have reliable transportation, have a good driving record, availability/flexibility within own schedule to meet the schedules of clients, be able to pass a criminal and Central Regisry background check.

Training Requirements:

The State ward Adoption Specialist shall complete a CWTI PSI (Child Welfare Training Institute Pre-Service Institute) training that includes a total of 270 hours (9 weeks) of competence-based classroom and field training.

Additionally, if the candidate does not have current experience and has approved training in foster care, the Adoption Specialist will complete 60 hours (2 weeks) CWTI PSTT (Child Welfare Training Institute Program Specific Transfer Training) during their first year of employment.

The Domestic Adoption Specialist will be given on-the-job training as there is no state mandated training. This training will be provided by the Domestic Adoption Program Supervisor.

Job Responsiblities and Duties:

STATE WARD ADOPTION SPECIALIST

• Carry a part time caseload of up to 8 State Ward adoption cases. Additionally, this position may carry the foster care cases of children awaiting adoption, as necessary to accommodate departmental needs.
• Assess and evaluate all assigned prospective adoptive families using DHHS approved documents and procedures for State Ward families. Maintain contact with assigned families and youth on at least a monthly basis.
• Assist assigned adoptive families in the gathering and completing of necessary documents for a family assessment.
• Maintain compliance with State of Michigan policies, regulations, and timeframes specific to all adoption case activities.
• Assess and evaluate children’s individual needs and desires regarding a permanency plan, advocating for a plan which best meets those needs and desires.
• Attend court hearings (Post Termination Review Hearings) and present written and verbal updates to courts and DHHS, and maintain compliance with legal documentation required. Submitt court reports, attend court hearings, as assigned.
• Participate in monthly supervision with adoption supervisor or bi-weekly, if deemed necessary.
• Attend all family related meetings associated with assigned cases (FTMs, Case Conferences, etc.)
• Maintain close collobration with co-workers from all departments at Forever Families.
• Facilitate a positive working relationship with DHHS, DCWL, MARE, Court Liasions, networking agencies within the child welfare field, clients and coworkers.
• Oversee the maintenance of all records, files and cases pertaining to services rendered to assigned families and children, including MISACWIS records and paper files.
• Maintain organization in MISACWIS records and paper files, audit case files, as directed.
• Prepare consent and adoption subsidy packets for cases.
• Attend monthly agency staff and program related meetings.
• Complete all necessary reports in policy timeframes consisting of Child Adoption Assessment/Addendum, Adoption Family Assessments/Addendums, Court Reports, Quarterly Reports, etc.
• Coordinate and assist with adoption placement and oversee cases in adoption supervision.
• Schedule and complete home visits in accordance with policy requirements.
• Participate in relevant community coalitions, meetings and events to promote the State Ward Adoption Program and remain current on updated policies, procedures and resources.
• Prepare adoption petitions and supporting documentation for submission to court.
• Provide active recruitment efforts to find appropriate families for children in need of a family and all children on caseload who are unmatched.
• Be knowledgeable and supportive to adoptive families and provide any additional referrals, community resources and post adoption information.
• Maintain an up-to-date personnel file, as directed by the HR (Driver’s license, car insurance, etc.).
• Attend and participate in adoption meetings conducted by various outside entities (Wayne County Kinship Meetings, Court Meetings, etc.).
• Participate in Forever Families recruitment events outside of work hours (PRIDE Festivals, MARE Heart Gallery, etc.)

DOMESTIC ADOPTION SPECIALIST DUTIES:

• Conduct initial interviews and assessments with birth parents.
• Conduct prospective adoptive parent orientations on the domestic adoption process and conduct training sessions for approved families.
• Facilitate monthly support groups of waiting adoptive parents either in person or digitally.
• Complete adoption home assessments on prospective adoptive parents.
• Facilitate in person match meetings between a birth parent(s) considering adoption and her/their chosen prospective adoptive family.
• Provide resources to birth parents such as housing, clothing, food, etc. and assist birth parents in accessing these resources.
• Assist in department recruitment efforts.
• May be some after hours and weekends if there is a client need you may have to flex hours to work the after hours to accommodate the client.
• Ability to carry after hours phone on occasion as assigned by supervisor.
• Time is split between office work and in home community visits which include occasional hospital visits.

BOTH POSITION DUTIES:

• Other miscellaneous responsibitilites assigned by adoption supervisor/adoption director.
• Must have reliable transportation and proof of registration and valid driver’s license.
• There are departmental incentives for each program.
• There is a required 32 hour minimum annual work related training.
• Attend all staff and department staff meetings.
• Required participation in recruitment, outings and celebration for clients (Holiday Party, Back to School Picnic, etc.)

Reporting:

The adoption specialist reports to the State Ward and Domestic Adoption Supervisor.

Signature and agreement to job description:

I have read, reviewed this job description and agree to adhere to the job description as written.

____________________________________________________________

Employee/date

_____________________________________________________________

Staff Witness/date

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus pay

COVID-19 considerations:
Employees are encouraged to wear masks at home visits.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Livonia, MI 48152: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Experience:

• Child welfare: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

Salary : $40,000 - $0