What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kinnect to Family Specialist position at Kinnect?
Reports to: Program Manager
Job Location: Remote, concentrated in the Cincinnati/Dayton Ohio area, serving at least two congregate
care settings on behalf of Hamilton County Children Services
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Retirement, Paid Time Off, Holidays
Date Posted: July 2023
To apply: please contact Susie Cummings at Scion Staffing at susie@scionstaffing.com
Overview of Kinnect
Kinnect is a private non-profit that was founded in 2005. Kinnect leverages its leadership expertise to design
programs, products and services that transform the child welfare system. Kinnect leads innovation to reduce
the time that children spend in the child welfare system and to prevent entry into the child welfare system.
Kinnect achieves this by partnering with organizations to transform beliefs, values and actions to ensure
permanent families for all children in the shortest time possible. We believe that childhood is a fundamental
human right and that all children deserve permanent families. We believe that every day that a child is in
foster care, separated from their kin and community is a day in crisis. We embrace hope, possibility and
innovation and we treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Overview of the Kinnect to Family Program
Kinnect to Family is a specialized, intense, family search and engagement program. Diligent search
strategies are used to identify a vast array of connections for children and families encountering child
welfare. We empower kinship caregivers and wrap them in stabilizing supports using relentless effort, focus
and determination. As with all Kinnect programs, we embrace family to be defined as biological, adoptive,
foster and all other kin and persons who have meaningful relationships with the family of origin; such as
neighbors, coaches, and lifelong friends. We believe all children have caring and capable extended families
that are willing to help raise their kin when needed. With the right tools and engagement, families can be
united together to support one another through kinship care.
Position Summary
The Kinnect to Family Specialist is a full-time position dedicated to the service of children and families
referred to Kinnect to Family. The Kinnect to Family Program is a specialized short- term intervention that
utilizes the strategies of diligent searching and relentless engagement to identify potential connections,
supports, and kinship placement options for children in foster care or a congregate care setting. The
Specialist works under the direction of their supervisor and with the technical assistance, coaching, and
training from their assigned KTF Coach. Goals for the specialist include increasing connections for young
people served, identifying potential kinship caregivers, and creating a robust support plan (Roadmap to
Family). All practice strategies are tied to the belief that all children have family, all family have value, and all
children deserve to be connected to their culture, their community, and their family.
Esse ntiaCl oFlulanbcotiroantes:s with the professional team (ie: congregate care staff, Public Children Service Agency
(PCSA) caseworker, and court officials) to identify and connect young people to kin
- Intentionally engages and explores permanency with youth
- Researches and coalesces information from relatives/kin to expand the child’s support system and
- Identify and document family/kin for each child through Family Finding search activities, including:
- Facilitate communication with the team and provide the referring agencies with accurate family
- Attend or facilitate meetings and court hearings, advocating for relative/kin placement.
- Complete assessments on the child and family functioning upon referral and conclusion of services
- Assist in preparing the family for licensure by explaining the licensing process and assisting with
- Maintain accurate files and records for each family served.
Skills & Competencies:
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Organization and superior time management skills with the ability to meet multiple program
- Facilitation and conflict resolution/mediation skills
- Able to adapt quickly and comfortable working with diverse populations in various environments
- Understanding of, or ability to learn, Genopro (family tree/genogram software program)
- Works independently exercising keen assessment skills
- Ability to use customer service initiatives to work with partner agencies
- Available to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights and weekends
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
- Possess a valid driver’s license and dependable transportation
Additional skills/competencies necessary:
- Teaming: Ability to motivate and inspire a team. Must show a commitment to establishing and
role in helping to accomplish the vision.
- Initiative: Measure self against a standard of excellence. Undertake self-development activities and
Demonstrate the ability to work independently and harmoniously with a variety of personalities and
leadership styles.
- Communication Skills: Clearly and persuasively communicate, including public speaking; listen and
- Integrity: Work well in a rapidly changing environment; treat others with respect and consideration;
strategic goals, complete administrative tasks and develop strategies to achieve organizational
goals.
- Flexibility: Able to multitask in a changing work environment. Handle competing demands and
- Dependability: Follows instructions, takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments.
Education/Qualification:
Bachelor’s Degree required; Social Services or related field, preferred.
Licensed social worker preferred, but not required
Demonstrated experience working with interdisciplinary teams utilizing innovative strategies to
overcome obstacles.
Direct experience in the child welfare field with a basic knowledge of foster care and adoption,
preferred
Working Conditions:
In-office, home-office, and field work required including visits to neighborhoods of various socio-
economic status. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones,
photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc.
Regular travel throughout Ohio
Some infrequent travel outside the service area may be required for implementation support,
presentations, and trainings
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an
exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
All employment decisions at Kinnect are based on business needs, job requirements and individual
qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including
pregnancy), age, size, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity
and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family
medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws
or regulations in the locations where we operate.
American’s with Disabilities Act: This position involves sitting in a stationary position for at least 50% of the
time and the ability to ambulate without assistance to attend on-site meetings, as needed. The job requires
movement in a typical office environment with file cabinets, office machinery, office furniture and typical
hallway and access doorways. The position must operate typical office equipment, such as copiers,
telephones, computers and peripherals. This job requires that the person must have the ability to access
transportation to attend meetings and special events. The organization provides reasonable
accommodations for this position