Family Developer - Joan B. Poliak Seattle Field Office

Family Developer Position

Casey Family Programs, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is the nation's largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Founded in 1966, Casey Family Programs works in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, two territories, and tribal nations to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live.

Casey Family Programs values diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and respect for individuals in the workplace. We encourage candidates with diverse lived experience and perspectives to apply.

Child and Family Services (CFS) of Casey Family Programs provides direct services and tribal consultation in pursuit of Casey's mission to provide, improve, and – ultimately prevent the need for – foster care. CFS operates nine field offices in five states and an Indian Child and Family Well-being Program office that demonstrate direct service and ICW improvement models. We share our experiences and lessons learned with jurisdictions, tribes, providers, and communities in the spirit of mutual continuous learning.

Our work is community and family centered, relationship-based, participatory, and culturally responsive. We recognize the dignity and strength of every individual, family, community and culture.

Job Summary:

Utilizing a collaborative, innovative, evidence-informed, trauma and healing approach to practice, we engage families and community partners in the urgent, relentless pursuit of legal and relational permanency and well-being for all children and families so that no youth ages out of foster care and all young people experience belonging and connection to family, community, and culture. Our clinical case management and support activities primarily occur within homes and in the community, with virtual options available, as necessary.

The Family Developer, in partnership with Social Workers, is responsible for recruiting, maintaining, supporting, coaching, educating, and retaining a culturally diverse complement of quality caregivers (e.g., licensed, kinship, fictive kin, and court ordered placements) who are available as permanency resources. Particular support to relative/kinship families in navigating the licensing process to care for their relative children is an important focus of this position.

In compliance with CFS practice standards and state licensing requirements, the Family Developer completes family assessments and home studies. The Family Developer also helps families provide quality family care and identifies specific needs that will achieve the outcomes of legal and relational permanency and enhanced youth and family well-being. The Family Developer applies these same skills with birth families to prevent entry or re-entry into the child welfare system.

This position requires a strong and flexible teaming approach both internally and externally to meet the needs of families served.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular contact and proper documentation with families, adhering to agency practice standards, jurisdictional, court, and licensing requirements. Includes oversight and tracking of licensing documentation necessary for licensure, re-licensure and documentation required for court ordered placements. Manages re-licensing of Field Office as Child Placing Agency (CPA)/Family Foster Agency (FFA) and licensing reviews. Develops working knowledge of all state and county foster care and kinship specific licensing and/or certification regulations as well as QCR and COA requirements.
  
  In collaboration with local community and child placement agencies, develops and implements pre-service orientation and training opportunities.
• Facilitates family support groups and training within the Field Office, across CFS offices, and in the community to increase accessibility and maximize opportunities with emphasis on culture/diversity. Teams with field office colleagues in educating families about cultural opportunities, diversity, equity, inclusion principles, development of cultural identity, and sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Networks with community resources and provides presentations to promote the critical role families provide in meeting the legal and relational permanency needs of youth. Includes outreach and community education about ICWA as the gold standard in child welfare,…