Adoptions Specialist

Overview

Since opening our doors in 1902, CHS became a part of Florida's history.

CHS has been committed to growing and evolving to provide the right services and solutions to address the needs of children and families throughout the changing times. Every day, our team works with parents and kids to empower them and encourage them. With innovative technology solutions and a dedicated, experienced team throughout the state, we’re changing the face of foster care and positively impacting children and families’ lives for generations to come.

Join our team to continue to do good and create history serving Florida's children and families!

The Adoptions Specialist provides specialized adoption support services to dependency staff and children and families in care. Overall, the Adoptions Specialist contributes to the CHS high performance culture by exhibiting our values and providing quality results that position CHS as the leader in delivering proactive behavioral health, case management, community and early childhood solutions for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Make an impact in your community and become a part of Florida's history
  !
• Growth and professional development opportunities

• Assist in the development of policies and procedures for the Adoption program.
• Prepare documentation for, attend, and testify in court proceedings.
• Work with child welfare legal staff on required documentation.
• Keep staff informed of procedural changes, and collect/track client exit interviews.
• Coordinate and complete permanency plans and visitation agreements for cases where siblings are separated.
• Track judicial requirements and time frames, and manage legal performance including JR timelines, filings, petitions, communication and reports.
• Review appropriateness of all AAPLA cases and document justification.
• Prepare Independent Living documents for aftercare planning, and participate in Independent Living staffings.
• Gather and interpret data on permanency performance measures, and recommend finalization of adoption.
• Conduct process management work groups and monitor contract measure targets and convene supervisors to deliver feedback on performance by units.
• Monitor performance for permanency and contract measures; prepare and submit required contract performance reports.
• Participate in CBC quality management activities and meetings; participate in peer CIRT and CFSR file reviews.
• May perform the same essential functions as an Adoptions Recruiter that include:
• Develop recruitment strategies and initiatives for Adoption Program, perform recruitment planning based on community demographics, and prepare recruitment materials for promotion adoption within the community.
• Conduct adoption orientation training and cofacilitate or lead (if MAPP/PRIDE certified) MAPP/PRIDE training.
• Collect and interpret all required documents for licensure or home approval (i.e. background screening, inspections, references, life stories, etc.), and prepare adoptive home approval packets for CBC or DCF.
• Assist in the assessment client’s behaviors and emotional needs to determine the best possible home match
• Provide on-call support after hours and onsite support to prevent placement disruption.
• Facilitate placement needs of children including Medicaid/SSN card, Blue Book, and medical information.
• Receive and review referrals, and assist with approvals for placement in CHS homes.
• Act as a liaison with the case manager, school and other parties relevant to a child placed in a CHS home.
• Conduct diligent searches and home studies, and track approval process of adoptive homes.
• Attend placement staffings (step down staffings, MDT, CBC placement meetings, etc.), as needed.
• Review and follow up on incident reports pertaining to incidents in CHS foster or adoptive homes.
• Secure required approvals prior to finalizing placement arrangements.
• Complete required placement information forms and distribute for timely, accurate completion of data input and payment.
• Assist staff with physical placement of child.
• Attend related meetings and inform necessary parties of procedural problems…