Permanency Achievement Specialist

Job Details

Position Title : Permanency Achievement Specialist

Reporting Relationship : Program Manager

Position Summary

The Permanency Achievement Specialist position is part of the Placement Stabilization Team. The goal of this role is to provide support to youth in foster care and their caregiver(s) in achieving a permanent placement that is safe, developmentally supportive, and enduring.

To accomplish this goal, the Permanency Achievement Specialist writes Adoption and Guardianship subsidies for youth in Foster Care, ensuring that these youth achieve permanency through adoption or guardianship in a timely manner.

The Permanency Achievement Specialist will also help caregivers secure the benefits, services, and supports they need to care for the youth placed in their care.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Permanency Program Specialist will perform duties including, but not limited to :

• Perform all work in a manner consistent with the National Youth Advocate Program’s mission, values, and philosophies.
• Coordinate, communicate and work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, including NYP youth and families, DFCS staff, other community service providers, etc.
• Writing of subsidies for completion of adoptions / guardianships.
• Participate in, coordinate and / or complete direct service responsibilities to include but are not limited to :
• Engaging youth in assessing their service and permanency needs.
• Completing a thorough case record review(s) of each youth’s child welfare history.
• Conducting Permanency Consultations for specific youth.
• Facilitating and / or participating in family team decision-making meetings.
• Conducting family-finding efforts.
• Contacting family members for and with youth.
• Receive information, writing subsidy, and supporting caregivers
• Addressing permanency-related questions and offering support
• Coordinator with case management team to secure necessary documentation to complete Adoption and Guardianship Subsidies.
• Advocate for the youth’s needs and permanency options.
• Collect relevant information from caseworkers and other stakeholders.
• Work directly with Foster families, interviewing caregivers and youth and conducting home studies.
• Work directly with attorneys on the writing, reviewing and corrections to subsidies.
• Work directly with DCFS to submit subsides and revise and correct as needed.
• Report to the court on the progress of subsidies
• Participate in CFTMs with families and case management team
• Provide families with post-adoption resources
• Part of the Case Manager on-call rotation
• Contribute to the accomplishment of unit objectives through communication, teamwork and consultation, and through attendance and participation in meetings and supervisory sessions.
• Continue personal development of skills by participating / joining professional organizations and staff development activities.
• Performs other duties as requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors in Social Work or Bachelors with previous child welfare experience.
• Ability to utilize interpersonal helping skills to engage with youth, birth families and other caregivers.
• Ability to engage from a family centered, strength based perspective when interacting with birth families and other caregivers.
• Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL)
• Completed DCFS specialty training for subsidy writing / submitting (Preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

The person in this position needs to follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers. Employees must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.

Driving and Vehicle Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Reliable personal transportation
• Good driving record
• Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,00 / $300,000 bodily injury liability

If this describes YOU, please apply today!

Who We Are

National Youth Advocate Program has been serving communities and clients since 1978 and we continue to grow each year. Our growth allows us to expand and develop new and innovative programs to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve.

We offer unique and personalized services for families and individuals in four areas : Prevention / Intervention, Positive Youth Development, Out-of-Home-Placement and Reunification / Permanency.

We know you are compassionate and dedicated to serving your clients and communities and NYAP is dedicated to providing support to those who join our team! We look for individuals that are ready to make a direct impact and are excited to be an instrument in supporting the needs of our children, youth, and families.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability / veterans.

The person in this position needs to follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers. Employees must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability / veterans