Kinship Specialist - East - Hybrid

The candidate must reside within the following county(s) within Region 8:
Gonzales, Lavaca, Jackson, DeWitt, Goliad, Victoria, and Calhoun County.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/RESPONSIBILTY

The position assists staff in sustaining kinship placements for children in the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship. Work involves referring families to supportive services, which could include training, case management, family counseling, support groups, and information and referral services. The position coordinates these services and assists families in obtaining financial assistance offered by DFPS to help stabilize placements.

The position works to identify community activities, services and resources designed to preserve, strengthen, and reunify families. The position assures that kinship caregivers are provided the opportunity to participate in the development of child plans that address child safety, permanency, and well-being issues. The position attends related CPS meetings, case staffing’s, and court hearings. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services regional and state office staff, and the community hough this is classified as a Hybrid position, there will still be required traveling 95% of the time.

• Establishes a regional network and becomes an expert in the knowledge of community services and resources available to kinship caregivers, coordinates these services and resources for kinship caregivers to facilitate and maintain kinship placements for children in the conservatorship of DFPS.
• Develops and provides training to CPS staff and families on placement issues for children on both an individual and formal classroom basis.
• Assists in case planning activities as it pertains to identifying and preparing families to meet the needs of children that have been abused and neglected, including individual case staffing’s with DFPS staff and attending Permanency Planning Team meetings and court hearings as required.
• Provides input to CPS staff on best practice philosophy in the area of kinship care.
• Identifies and collects necessary evaluative data and statistical information to measure outcomes concerning safety, permanency, and well-being for the children involved.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• To review case files where appropriate, to assist in sustaining placement for child/children who would potentially benefit from a Kinship Services Placement.
• Conduct referrals and/or conduct needed home assessments to determine safety and best interests.
• To follow established regulations and standards in the completion of assigned Kinship Services assessments, and document the information gathered in a clear, concise manner according to Agency requirements.
• Conduct monthly visits for families to determine ongoing needs, concerns and support the family/youth towards permanency.
• To provide ongoing service to an assigned caseload of Kinship Services providers and children residing in Kinship Services arrangements. Ongoing service includes maintenance of contact, written evaluations and progress notes, case notes, and plans for access to ongoing services and supports in accordance with Agency expectations and Ministry standards, in order to ensure that a high quality of Kinship Service is maintained.
• Provides consultation and teaching of child development and child management techniques to the kinship family.
• Participates in child welfare court, criminal and youth courts to give evidence and support the client.
• Support kinship or relative caregivers in their…