JOB TITLE: ADOPTION ADVOCATE

SUPERVISED BY: ADOPTION SUPERVISOR

DEPARTMENT: YOUTH SERVICES AND ADOPTIONS

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PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITY:

The Adoption Advocate will work with children legally free for adoption in the child welfare system by following principles of the family finding and child specific recruitment models. The advocate will have knowledge on up-to-date information on children available for adoption and utilize the recruitment resources available. The Adoption Advocate will assist with adoption preparation with children and communicating with significant adults in the child’s life. The goal is reach permanency and/ or to connect each child with a family member or someone in the child’s own network, so that every child may benefit from lifelong connections.

EXAMPLE OF ACTUAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Complete the Child Welfare Case Manager (CWCM) Certification Process within one year of hire. This includes attending and actively participating in the CWCM Training provided by Citrus FCN Training Department, successful completion of the CWCM certification phase I process (successfully pass the CWCM Training Post Test), successful completion of the CWCM phase II process which required field work and supervision hours as per the guidelines set forth by the Florida Certification Board.
• Face to face visitation with the children to build a trusting relationship to assist in recruitment efforts.
• Conduct a thorough review of the relevant children/ youth case records with the intent of identifying starting points of familiar circles of family, friends, neighbors, and finally reaching out to the community.
• Asses the child’s strengths, challenges, desires and preparedness for adoption or permanent Guardian, and follow up with the caseworker to be sure the child’s needs are being met.
• Respond within 2 working days to all community member, and other stakeholders, adoption questions and inquiries.
• Know up to date information on children available for adoption with no family identified to adopt yet.
• Monitor for quality and assurance that all children available for adoption with no family identified are updated on the adoption information page in the Departments Official Statewide Automated System.
• Contact child’s caseworker and therapist to become familiar with the child’s history and current placement and follow up with the worker monthly on possible recruitment leads.
• Complete Adoption Quality Home studies on all assigned cases, as needed and appropriate.
• Document in Departments Official Statewide Automated System all Adoption Home Studies, match staffing’s and Recruitment efforts made for the client.
• Ensure all available community resources have been exhausted first before submitting funding requests.
• Monitor progress and compliance with program requirements.
• Attend dependency court hearings and administrative hearings when necessary.
• Coordinate and assist in planning of Photoshoots and other recruitment events
• Must develop expertise and working knowledge in the governing law, rule and polices of the Adoption Program.
• Become familiar with and when to consider the Extension Monthly Maintenance Adoption Subsidy program and the Guardianship Assistant Program when working with children and families.
• Complete, within one year of hire, the relevant Training course in order to Facilitate Adoption Applicant preparation classes and the DCF approved “Adoption Competency Training."

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or human services related field. Master’s degree in social work or human services related field is preferred.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system
• Must be proficient in computer related programs.
• Possess a current Background Clearance Screening Letter as required by DCF.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and documentation of current automobile insurance is required.
• Certified Child Welfare Certification within 12 months of hire date.
• Certified PRIDE Trainer and DCF approved “Adoption Competency Training” Certification within 12 months of hire.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Leadership— Inspires and motivates others to perform well, accepts feedback from others.
• Interpersonal Skills— Possesses high level interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, including members of outside agencies. Maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
• Integrity— Possesses high ethical standards and expects the same from all others in the organization
• Dedication— Is committed to achieving results under demanding time limits. Is also an example of Dependability.
• Judgment— Displays willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound and accurate judgment and makes timely decisions.
• Oral Communication— Possesses excellent verbal communication skills; speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings.
• Written Communication— Possesses excellent written communication skills; edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information
• Quality Management— Looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work and that of subordinates to ensure quality.
• Planning/Organizing— Is organized, demonstrates multi-tasking skills, and meets deadlines; prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Safety and Security— Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Analytical— Has the ability to synthesize complex or diverse information, in order to find solutions to various problems and prioritize work along with an ability to thrive in multi-tasking environment.
• Problem Solving— Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Adaptability— Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures. Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Initiative— Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative while accepting and acting upon advice and counseling from supervisory staff.

Pay: $48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• DCF Background Clearance Screening Letter (Required)
• Florida Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Miami, FL 33128