Family Specialist

Position: Family Finding Specialist

Classification: Full-time, Salaried, Non-Exempt

Reports to: Family Finding Supervisor

Location: Houston, TX

The Family Finding Specialist is responsible for locating, engaging, and supporting relatives and other lifelong connections for children and youth in care. This position works closely with Case Managers, Permanency Specialists, and Kinship Programs to ensure that every child has safe, supportive, and enduring family relationships.

• Conduct intensive family finding using case records, databases, social media, genealogy tools, and direct outreach.
• Interview the child and ask them about all important connections (related or non-related) throughout the case and document these connections in IMPACT. Must make attempts to contact these important connections if appropriate to establish contact based on the child’s desire and best interest.
• Contact and engage identified relatives or fictive kin to explore interest in placement or supportive roles.
• Facilitate pre-placement meetings and placement disruption meetings to support the placement and the child and to prevent placement disruption.
• Partner with CPS staff, child placing agencies, and kinship specialists to support family placement options.
• Assist relatives through the verification/licensing process and connect them to financial or support services.
• Develop and maintain a “connection map” for each child documenting active family and support networks.
• Work with Permanency Specialists to align family finding efforts with adoption recruitment and concurrent planning.
• Share findings and recommendations with case managers and legal teams to ensure family options are considered in court.
• Partner with community organizations, faith-based groups, and cultural resources to expand family networks.
• Educate staff, foster parents, and stakeholders on the importance of lifelong family connections.
• Advocate for the child’s right to family and help elevate youth voice in identifying important connections.
• Maintain accurate documentation of family search efforts and outcomes.
• Track data on relative notifications, family engagement, and kinship placement outcomes.
• Provide reports to leadership to measure effectiveness and identify gaps.
• Coordinate and facilitate pre-placement and placement disruption staffings. Be prepared to talk about the child’s desires, their interactions with the child and any family members they’ve engaged with.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in social work, human services, psychology, or related field.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience working in child welfare, preferably in Kinship, Adoption, Conservatorship, or DFPS Family Based Services.
• Experience with outreach and family finding tools.

• Strong understanding of child welfare systems, kinship care policies, and permanency planning strategies.
• Proficiency in using databases, case management systems (e.g., IMPACT), and digital tools for family search and documentation.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing staff.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to elevating youth voice and advocating for family-centered practices.
• Ability to travel locally for meetings, staffings, and family engagement activities.

• Environment:
  Office
• Range of
  
  Schedule:
  
  Mon – Fri, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Travel:
  Occasional (Must have reliable personal transportation, valid Texas Driver License and current Auto Insurance.

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.