Adoption Specialist - Part Time
Antioch Adoptions is a faith-based, non-profit ministry with the mission of placing infants and children out of foster care into loving Christian adoptive homes. The Case Manager works in social services closely with our program manager to assure a safe home placement for children, write court report documents related to adoption that meet legal and adoption agency standards, as well as assure timely and accurate communication between the families, DCYF and Antioch Adoptions.
The position also provides initial intake from pregnant women seeking information in pursuit of birth adoption by providing resources and counseling. The candidate will walk with pregnant women desiring an adoption plan by meeting with them regularly and guiding them through decision making process. The candidate will also help young women find community resources (i.e., housing, medical, education, job, transportation, etc.) This position will ensure compliance with Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) requirements, investigate licensing complaints and assist in the recruitment and retention of foster homes.
Position Responsibilities
Pre-Placement Services
1. Counseling families as needed on issues pertinent to becoming inter-cultural or trans-racial families, special needs issues, motivation to adopt, and other pertinent issues as they arise. Topics should include the dynamics of change within the family unit, and other issues that arise when adding new members to existing families.
2. Verifying and certifying that the following material has been discussed with each family.
- The concept of adoption as a lifelong developmental process and commitment.
- The potential for the child to have feelings of identity, confusion and loss regarding separation from the birth parents.
- Disclosure of the adoption to the child.
- The child's possible questions about birth parents and relatives.
- The relevance of the child's racial, ethnic and cultural heritage.
3. Providing Antioch Adoptions with a completed home study containing all relevant information and a recommendation of the family as outlined in the policies and procedures. Format for home study record will be provided.
4. Attending scheduled staffing meetings, at which you must discuss any pre-placement adoption issues that present you with a cause for concern or require consultation.
5. Foster licensing of families according to the WACS.
6. Reports to Program Manager and performs services according to the policies and procedures of Antioch Adoptions.
Post-Placement Case Management
1. Providing post-placement supervision of families as required, monthly health and safety visits until finalization.
2. Visits will continue as needed to support, assist and evaluate child and family integration, and incorporation.
3. Written reports will be produced as needed and visits summarized in case notes.
4. CPS referrals or incident reports will be reported immediately to DCYF.
5. Adoption support subsidy will be facilitated and application submitted.
6. After the final visit, prepare an appropriate post-placement report.
7. Attending scheduled staffing, at which you must discuss any post-placement pre-adoption issues that present you with a cause for concern or require consultation.
8. Reports to Program Manager and performs services according to the policies and procedures of Antioch Adoptions. Performs all duties and responsibilities as required by Antioch Adoptions policies and procedures. Perform all other duties as needed or requested.
Birth Adoption Services
1. Weekly/biweekly coaching for pregnant women considering adoption.
2. Make recommendations to the Program Director regarding social services needs.
3. Participate in pre and post placement services for birthmothers including monthly support group.
4. Assist (observe and participate if appropriate) with Open Communication, Transracial and Drug Affectedness classes.
5. Plan birthmother support events including blessing showers.
6. Develop positive relationships with area case workers (interact with respective partners as needed).
7. Share about adoption in high schools and other venues (promote Antioch Adoptions ministry philosophy and services).
8. Facilitate and support pregnant women with birthing classes, as needed.
9. Keep adoptive family web profiles up to date.
10. Craft hospital plan with birthmother and submit to hospital social worker after approval of Program Manager
11. Create communication agreement in conjunction with Program Manager
12. Keep case notes up to date in birthmother files
13. Oversee upkeep of birthmother and baby permanent files
14. Seek (participate in ministry adoption education and awareness projects) ways to promote adoption education and present plan to Program Director.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Ability to successfully assess a family’s stability and ability to adopt through the use of assessment tools such as the homestudy process, interviews, home visits, etc.
- Personal relationship of Jesus Christ
- Training/public speaking skills (preferred).
- Computer literate in Microsoft Office software (MSWord, MSExcel, MSOutlook).
Minimum Qualifications
- B.A. or B.S. in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or other related field from an accredited college or university. MSW or MA preferred.
- Two years experience in foster care adoption and social work, family services or related field
- Knowledge and experience with foster care licensing.
- Demonstrate ability to organize, plan and follow through with job responsibilities and assigned task in a professional manner.
- Drive to homes within assigned geographical area.
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends in order to meet the families who are unable to meet during regular working hours or attend recruitment events/presentations.
- Aptitude to work with expectant mothers.
Complexity
- Working with families in crisis and/or stress.
- Managing personal safe care while working with families and children in grief and conflict.
Physical Guidelines
- Able to provide own transportation.
- Adequately mobile to enter and depart family homes regardless of accessibility.
Job Type
- Part-time; $19.50 - $25.50 per hour
- 20 hours per week
Benefits
- 403(b) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
Schedule
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Education
- Bachelor's (Preferred)
Experience
- Foster care/Adoption: 2 years (Preferred)
- Social work: 2 years (Preferred)
Language
- English (Required)
Work Location
- King, Pierce, Thurston Counties
