MARE Match Support Specialist

Position: MARE Match Support Specialist

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Job : 1614

# of Openings: 1

MARE Match Support Specialist

Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is a statewide program funded by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHHS) to promote adoption throughout the State of Michigan. MARE collaborates with adoption providers and partners across the state to increase the effectiveness of adoption recruitment efforts and to help find permanent families for children waiting to be adopted.

The Match Support Program is a division of MARE that provides short-term (approximately 90-day) interventions for families in the adoption process who have been matched with a child from the MARE website.

The Match Support Specialist is responsible for providing interventions utilizing a strengths-based, family-centered approach. Services include:

• Monthly monitoring conferences with the team and family
• Monthly home visits
• Weekly phone contact with the family
• Linkage to community resources and monitoring of service referrals

The MARE Match Support Specialist will also:

• Develop and maintain reports and contact logs
• Maintain ongoing communication with the family’s adoption and/or foster care team
• Ensure adherence to contract requirements and program compliance
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Provide high-quality customer service
• Work independently while meeting job expectations
• Collaborate effectively in a team environment
• Participate in MARE recruitment activities and events

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field required
• Prior experience working with adoptive parents and within the adoption process preferred
• Experience providing in-home services and/or working directly with children and families in settings such as child welfare, schools, juvenile justice, or mental health preferred
• Ability to relate effectively to current and prospective adoptive, foster, and kinship families
• Ability to work collaboratively with local and state DHHS personnel, agency staff, and other service providers
• Ability to travel statewide as needed

• None required

• Non-traditional work hours, including time in the office and in family homes
• Travel required throughout Michigan
• Use of personal vehicle with proof of insurance required; mileage reimbursement provided

This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Employees are expected to follow all agency policies and perform additional duties as assigned in support of the consumers, program, department, and agency.