Permanency Specialist - Assessment Writer

The Assessment Writer works to strengthen children and resource families by moving children to permanency through adoption, while preserving connections to family and community.

*Mandated reporter
*Receives training in trauma informed practice and incorporates knowledge in
day to day practice.
*Ability to work flexible schedule including on-call
*Understanding of family centered practice, genograms, ecomaps, and social histories
*Understanding of the child welfare and state system
*Ability to engage families in working relationship
*Understanding of child and adolescent development
*Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills
*Ability to travel throughout the State
*Consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules and regulations
*Ability to work with minimal supervision
*Handles multiple priorities
*Independent discretion/decision making within the scope and responsibility of the position
*Manages emotions and is able to make decision under pressure
*Manages stress appropriately
*Works alone effectively
*Works in close proximity to others and/or in a distracting environment
*Works with others effectively/teamwork
*Ability to work with diverse population
*Understands and practices Universal Precautions

*Assists/and or completes the assessment of children for adoptive placement
*Assists/and or completes the updating social histories for children with a goal of adoption
*Assists /and or completes relative, kin and resource family searches to identify resources for adoptive placement
*Assists adoptive family with adoption Placement Agreement and adoption subsidy, finalization, and post finalization paper work and processes
*Provides counseling for children and resource families regarding moves, grief, separation and loss issues related to adoption
*Completing necessary documentation and works to identify/select an adoptive family
*Participates in supervisory conferences and team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/families’ progress, collateral contacts and relationships with other agencies/communities
*Completes reports for court and participates in court proceedings as needed
*Completes and maintains written documentation in child/family’s case record accurately and within established time frames
*Develops and implements case plans for children’s permanency goals with children for adoption timelines
*Completes on-going assessment of children
*Assists adoptive families through the adoption process
*Supports resource families to maintain placements and help children work toward permanency
*Assists in completing all documentation and paperwork relative to adoption subsidy and finalization
*Reports critical incidents to DCF verbally within 12 hours, written within 24 hours
*Reports unusual incidents through appropriate Risk Management, clinical and safety channels.
*Ensures clients’ rights are protected.
*Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures
*Implements SFCS policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent SFCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), rules, personnel policies and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms