Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is hiring: Family Finding Wo

The Family Finding Worker is responsible for child-specific and family finding recruitment with the goal of permanency for children. The focus of work is to actively engage with children and youth in care where permanence is required for safety, security, and well-being. This role is intended to be intensive and short-term, ensuring a system of supportive adults and identifying a permanent resource committed to the child/youth referred. The incumbent will be responsible for locating relatives and/or fictive kin to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, the child and/or youth has appropriate supports in their life who can best meet and promote their need for safety, well-being, and permanency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilize technology, file research, genograms, family research tools, and interviews to find relatives and/or fictive kin to: 1) build on existing relationships; 2) promote stability for children and youth; 3) provide viable options for permanency; 4) enable continuity of relationships between family/community members and the child/youth; 5) maintain the integrity of children and youth connections to family, fictive kin, and other relevant cultural groups; 6) engage the extended family in permanency planning earlier in the process of the child/youth coming into care.
• Assist and complete necessary paperwork and assessments with the foster family to begin the licensing process.
• Collaborate with the licensing worker to assist the family in obtaining fingerprinting, physical exams, and other necessary requirements for licensing.
• Help the family build respite and/or other natural supports to broaden the child/youth's support system.
• Conduct thorough reviews of relevant case files to identify family members or other key people in the child/youth’s natural network who may be options for placement, permanency planning, and/or supporting life-long connections.
• Interview caregivers, relatives, community members, or the child/youth themselves to identify family/fictive kin, supporting foster youth in developing meaningful and enduring connections with adults who will support them across their lifespan.
• Focus efforts on achieving anticipated outcomes, including increased reunification rates, improved well-being, placement stability, transition out of the child welfare system, decreased re-entry rates, and a stronger sense of belonging for children.
• Participate in case conferences, CFTMs, and case supervision.
• Maintain accurate records of contact information for parents, family members, fictive kin, service providers, and other resource contacts.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Experience, personal qualities, and practice skills to work effectively with professionals from various disciplines.
• Ability and willingness to adopt the agency practice model, CARE, and pass TCI tests.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to drive independently.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• A minimum of one year of experience working with children.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess and maintain proof of automobile insurance.

Additional Postings available from Hoyleton Youth and Family Services.