Foster Care Kinship Specialist

We are seeking a Foster Care Kinship Specialist to join our Foster Care & Adoption Program. As a Foster Care Kinship Specialist, you will Shine Hope as you are responsible for the recruitment and licensing process of kinship caregivers.  Also responsible for the coordination and provision of services to foster children placed in approved and licensed kinship caregivers.  The specialist will provide the development and provision of services to achieve permanency.. Join our team and shine hope in the lives of others! 

What you'll do:

• Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of foster children during the time they are placed in a Buckner kinship foster home, as outlined in each client’s plan of service.
• Provide ongoing case management for clients living in Buckner foster kinship homes in accordance with established Buckner guidelines and procedures.
• Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and kinship caregivers during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as is required by state licensing and Buckner policy and procedure.
• Coordinate individual, family and/or support group counseling to foster care clients and/or kinship caregivers.
• Develop, monitor, and review with clients their Plan of Service designed to increase strengths, address needs, and reduce conflict in the home.
• Provide counseling and crisis intervention support as required.
• Coordinate and implement the recruitment of kinship caregivers for the Foster Care program through church engagement and community presentations.
• Provide education to the community about the resources that are needed for the foster care population. The information that is presented is through statistics provided by DFPS, but also through needs assessments at the local level.
• Consult with CPS on appropriate referrals to Buckner for kinship care referrals as well as how Buckner can provide support to kinship caregivers for successful permanency.
• Conduct investigations on kinship caregivers regarding any complaints about licensing or Buckner policy deficiencies; identify issues and assist the kinship caregiver in developing corrective action plans; and make recommendations for licensing enforcement when appropriate.

 What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in human services or other related field required.
• Minimum 2 years prior related experience with kinship caregiver required.
• Counseling and/or social work licensure is preferred.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
• Requires ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people.
• Requires ability to walk, stand and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.