Job Summary:Utilizing a collaborative, innovative, evidence-informed, trauma and healing approach to practice, we engage families and community partners in the urgent, relentless pursuit of legal and relational permanency and well-being for all children and families so that no youth ages out of foster care and all young people experience belonging and connection to family, community, and culture. Our clinical case management and support activities primarily occur within homes and in the community, with virtual options available, as necessary. The Family Developer, in partnership with Social Workers, is responsible for recruiting, maintaining, supporting, coaching, educating, and retaining a culturally diverse complement of quality caregivers (e.g., licensed, kinship, fictive kin, and court ordered placements) who are available as permanency resources. Particular support to relative/kinship families in navigating the licensing process to care for their relative children is an important focus of this position. In compliance with CFS practice standards and state licensing requirements, the Family Developer completes family assessments and home studies. The Family Developer also helps families provide quality family care and identifies specific needs that will achieve the outcomes of legal and relational permanency and enhanced youth and family well-being. The Family Developer applies these same skills with birth families to prevent entry or re-entry into the child welfare system. This position requires a strong and flexible teaming approach both internally and externally to meet the needs of families served.
Essential Responsibilities:- Maintains regular contact and proper documentation with families, adhering to agency practice standards, jurisdictional, court, and licensing requirements. Includes oversight and tracking of licensing documentation necessary for licensure, re-licensure and documentation required for court ordered placements. Manages re-licensing of Field Office as Child Placing Agency (CPA)/Family Foster Agency (FFA) and licensing reviews. Develops working knowledge of all state and county foster care and kinship specific licensing and/or certification regulations as well as QCR and COA requirements. In collaboration with local community and child placement agencies, develops and implements pre-service orientation and training opportunities.
- Facilitates family support groups and training within the Field Office, across CFS offices, and in the community to increase accessibility and maximize opportunities with emphasis on culture/diversity. Teams with field office colleagues in educating families about cultural opportunities, diversity, equity, inclusion principles, development of cultural identity, and sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Networks with community resources and provides presentations to promote the critical role families provide in meeting the legal and relational permanency needs of youth. Includes outreach and community education about ICWA as the gold standard in child welfare, prevention, legal and relational permanency, foster care, kinship care, fictive kin, legal guardianship, and adoptions, including adult adoptions.
- Participates in Demonstration and Spread opportunities locally, across CFS, and nationally in partnership with Systems Improvement.
- Provides, supports and maintains relationships with resource parents and kin caregivers with emphasis on those families who have placements pending, or who are experiencing crisis, disruptions, investigations, grief and loss, etc. Utilizing a trauma- and healing-informed approach, maintains close relationship with families attending to the unique needs and family dynamics of kinship families, with field office colleagues while transitioning youth into a permanent home, and assists Casey staff in monitoring the dynamics of the placement process.
- Plans and coordinates local, state, and/or national activities and recognition functions for resource families and kin caregivers in conjunction with other staff as needed.
- Develops and maintains an array of resource families able to provide respite, interim, and ongoing care for youth in out-of-home care. Oversees the development, coordination, and delivery of on-going resource parent and kin caregiver education and licensing/training requirements that meets caregiver and youth needs. Consults frequently with field office staff responsible for screening and assigning child intakes to plan for permanency placement needs. Works conjointly with field office staff on planned clinical interventions as well as unplanned emergencies with families and youth.
- Provides input into annual budget process and works within budget from Family Developer's domain to include: parent training, support and development, recruitment, retention, licensing/certification expenditures, and planning for expenses related to the Field Office's family recognition/appreciation functions.
- Performs other duties as assigned and may include temporary Social Worker assignments.
All of these essential responsibilities necessitate the ability to work and communicate effectively across differences with diverse services, populations, staff and stakeholders to advance diversity, equity and inclusion; to work effectively in a team environment as well as work autonomously and exercise independent judgement as required; to demonstrate effective organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; to collaborate with management and staff to ensure alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.
Qualifications:- Master's Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited institution and a minimum of five years clinical experience in child welfare or other child and family service-related practice is required.
- Expertise in the areas of permanency, improved well-being outcomes for youth in care, and family engagement, community supports and evidenced based and promising practices aimed at strengthening families' well-being, and ensuring child safety required.
- Clinical expertise in the area of family systems, trauma- and healing-informed care, and knowledge in the areas of substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence necessary. Experience and skill in parent training and coaching desired.
- Experience in successful community engagement/networking, recruitment and retention of resource families is preferred. Broad knowledge of social work practice and clinical theory, including clinical skills, assessment, and interventions in family systems approaches, is essential.
- Knowledge of local, state, and national laws, policies and procedures governing reunification, foster family licensure, kinship licensure, guardianship, and adoption is preferred.
- This position requires an ability to relate well to children and families of varied cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and socioeconomic status. Requires the ability to educate and coach families around diversity, equity and inclusion principles.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, respect for tribal sovereignty, and respect for cultural, racial, and gender difference is required. Personal qualities demonstrating adaptability, curiosity, collaboration and a capacity for self-reflection and commitment to lifelong learning are a must. Ability to contribute effectively with and across teams and with external partners necessary.
- Ability to perform effectively in high pressure and stressful work environment. Ability to manage stress and self-care.
- This position is full-time requiring time in the field and the office, therefore full-time teleworking is not an option. Regular and reliable attendance is required.
- Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; ability to type and work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function.
- Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
- Local travel as well as occasional out of town travel may be required. Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is require.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bilingual skills in English and another language(s) preferred.
The typical hiring range for this position in Seattle, WA is $82,450 to $97,000. The full salary range for the role is $82,450 to $111,550. As a mission-driven organization, Casey strives to balance competitive pay with our mission. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
Casey Family Programs offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, accrual of 12 days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave,10 paid holidays per year, and each employee receives one personal holiday to use each calendar year. Employees that meet certain tenure qualifiers are eligible for up to eight weeks of parental leave for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. After the completion of 10 years of continuous, full-time regular employment, employees in good standing are permitted for a three-month sabbatical with pay. CFP also offers many opportunities for continued learning, training, and development.
This position will remain open until the needs are met and is subject to closure at any time without notice. It is to your advantage to file your application early as you will not be able to apply once the position has closed.
