Foster Care Adoption Specialist

Position Function

Provides clinical and technical support to Foster/Adopt parents through intensive case management services, client behavioral support services, crisis management, home visits, weekly contact, monitoring of standards compliance, documentation, ongoing training, transportation assistance as needed, aftercare services, and advocacy. The job requires sensitivity to the services population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; a Master’s degree in social work or related field is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of two years of documented full-time work experience in a child-placing agency is required with a Bachelor degree.

Must have excellent verbal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, collaborating agencies, community professionals, and ACH Child and Family Services staff.

Position includes exposure to parents, guardians, and conservators as well as to youth with behavioral problems, including possible physical aggression. A personal vehicle is required for travel. The position provides 24/7 on-call support to assigned foster families.

The foster care/adoption specialist will have access to confidential records including youth files, foster care/adoption records, and foster/adopt parent information. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records.

• Ensure that all case management practices, including crisis management, interventions, and family support, are driven by a child-centered Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) approach that respects the unique needs of each child.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and utilize trauma-informed practices when working with children and families, recognizing the impact of trauma on children’s development and emotional well‑being.
• Work with families in a culturally responsive manner, ensuring that care plans and interventions are sensitive to the cultural, environmental, and socio-economic needs of children and foster/adopt families.
• Emphasize the strengths of both the children and the families served, helping them build resilience and increase their capacity to care for and support children in foster care.
• Establish and adhere to a regular work schedule.
• Engage in collaborative efforts with foster parents, biological families, service providers, and community agencies to create a holistic, child-centered support system.
• Advocate for the child’s needs and best interests in all settings, ensuring that the child’s voice is heard in decisions related to their care and placement.
• Empower foster and adoptive families through support, training, and crisis management, ensuring they feel capable and supported in meeting the needs of children in their care.

• Participate in the development of foster care/adoption programs, ensuring that they align with TBRI principles and T3C requirements and are responsive to the evolving needs of children and families.
• Participate in the development and facilitation of training curriculum for foster/adopt families, ensuring that the training incorporates principles of trauma‑informed care, child development, and culturally responsive practices.
• Participate in case planning meetings with collaborating agencies to ensure a cohesive, child-centered approach to each child’s care.

• Schedule and facilitate Plan of Service meetings and reviews, ensuring that plans prioritize the child’s well‑being and development, incorporate family input, and reflect trauma informed principles.
• Document meetings, case progress, and interactions with families in a timely and thorough manner, ensuring that records reflect a child-centered approach and are aligned with agency standards.
• Ensure that children receive the recommended and/or required services as per their service plan and T3C service package as well as any psychological or therapy recommendations as approved by their legal guardian or managing conservator.
• Maintain regular…