Hoyleton Youth and Family Services
Family Finding Worker
Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, Fairview Heights, Illinois, United States, 62208
POSITION SUMMARY
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 work actively with children and youth in care where permanence is required for safety, security, and well-being. This role is intended to have an intensive and short-term role with the goals of ensuring a system of supportive adults and identifying a permanent resource committed to the child/youth referred. The incumbent of this position will be responsible for locating relatives and/or fictive kin so that, to the greatest extent possible, the child and/or youth has the most appropriate support in their life who can best meet and promote their need for safety, well-being, and permanency.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Through the use of technology, file research, genograms, family research tools, and interviews, the Family Finder will seek 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
During sessions with the foster family, assists and completes necessary paperwork and assessments with the family to begin the licensing process.
In collaboration with the licensing worker, assist the family in obtaining fingerprinting, physical exams, and other necessary requirements for the licensing process.
Assists the family in building respite and/or other natural supports to allow the child/youth to broaden their support system.
Conduct thorough reviews of relevant case files to assist in identifying 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.
Conduct interviews with a child/youth's caregiver, relatives, community members or the child/youth themselves to assist in identifying family/fictive kin. Support foster youth in developing meaningful and enduring connections with adults who will support them across their lifespan.
Focus efforts on achieving the anticipated outcomes that include an increase in reunification rates, improved well-being and placement stability, transition out of the child welfare system, decrease in re-entry rates, and a stronger sense of belonging for children.
Participate in case conferences, CFTM's and case supervision.
Maintains an accurate record of contact information of parents, family members, fictive kin, service providers, and other resource contacts.
Other duties as assigned
SKILLS and ABILITIES
Possess the experience, personal qualities, and practice skills to work effectively with professionals from various disciplines, both internally and with other organizations.
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
High School diploma or GED required. An Associate's or Bachelor's Degree is preferred.
A minimum of one (1) year 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.
CARE & TCI
One of the essential job functions of any position within the agency is to align your performance with our overarching philosophy of CARE. All decisions, actions, communication, and performance should align with the six CARE principles (Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed). Not only must you complete the CARE training with satisfactory participation, but you must then put that training into practice in your everyday work.
Every employee must also pass TCI training with a satisfactory grade in written and/or physical testing. All employees must remain current on refresher training that is provided monthly at all locations. You will be tested every 6 months on the physical portion, if applicable to your position. You will be tested annually on the written portion, regardless of your position. If you are not current on your TCI refresher training every six months, you will be required to retake the full course. If you do not pass either test, you may be required to retake the full course. Not only must you complete the TCI training with satisfactory participation, but you must then put that training into practice in your everyday work.
Location: 62208
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 work actively with children and youth in care where permanence is required for safety, security, and well-being. This role is intended to have an intensive and short-term role with the goals of ensuring a system of supportive adults and identifying a permanent resource committed to the child/youth referred. The incumbent of this position will be responsible for locating relatives and/or fictive kin so that, to the greatest extent possible, the child and/or youth has the most appropriate support in their life who can best meet and promote their need for safety, well-being, and permanency.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Through the use of technology, file research, genograms, family research tools, and interviews, the Family Finder will seek 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
During sessions with the foster family, assists and completes necessary paperwork and assessments with the family to begin the licensing process.
In collaboration with the licensing worker, assist the family in obtaining fingerprinting, physical exams, and other necessary requirements for the licensing process.
Assists the family in building respite and/or other natural supports to allow the child/youth to broaden their support system.
Conduct thorough reviews of relevant case files to assist in identifying 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.
Conduct interviews with a child/youth's caregiver, relatives, community members or the child/youth themselves to assist in identifying family/fictive kin. Support foster youth in developing meaningful and enduring connections with adults who will support them across their lifespan.
Focus efforts on achieving the anticipated outcomes that include an increase in reunification rates, improved well-being and placement stability, transition out of the child welfare system, decrease in re-entry rates, and a stronger sense of belonging for children.
Participate in case conferences, CFTM's and case supervision.
Maintains an accurate record of contact information of parents, family members, fictive kin, service providers, and other resource contacts.
Other duties as assigned
SKILLS and ABILITIES
Possess the experience, personal qualities, and practice skills to work effectively with professionals from various disciplines, both internally and with other organizations.
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
High School diploma or GED required. An Associate's or Bachelor's Degree is preferred.
A minimum of one (1) year 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.
CARE & TCI
One of the essential job functions of any position within the agency is to align your performance with our overarching philosophy of CARE. All decisions, actions, communication, and performance should align with the six CARE principles (Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed). Not only must you complete the CARE training with satisfactory participation, but you must then put that training into practice in your everyday work.
Every employee must also pass TCI training with a satisfactory grade in written and/or physical testing. All employees must remain current on refresher training that is provided monthly at all locations. You will be tested every 6 months on the physical portion, if applicable to your position. You will be tested annually on the written portion, regardless of your position. If you are not current on your TCI refresher training every six months, you will be required to retake the full course. If you do not pass either test, you may be required to retake the full course. Not only must you complete the TCI training with satisfactory participation, but you must then put that training into practice in your everyday work.
Location: 62208