Family Finder Specialist (1271) - Lutheran Services Florida

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Family Finder Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

This position is responsible for linking children with placements and connections to kin and fictive kin by locating, engaging, and assessing potential placements for children in licensed care. This position must have a strong value and belief system that children do best when placed with kin/fictive kin, which minimizes trauma for the child(ren) being removed from their home and enhances child well-being. This is a support position with primary responsibility for initiating and conducting ongoing efforts to locate relatives/non-relatives (fictive kin) for youth currently being served in Marion County who are placed in out of home care.

Essential Functions:

• • Coordinate the identification and location of familial connections and possible placements for children in licensed out-of-home care. Interview and assess potential family connections.
  • Obtain and review all Accurint and Seneca searches for children in out-of-home care.
  • Schedule and facilitate family meetings as needed when relatives are located and follow-up with Case Management to ensure timely completion.
  • Conduct visits with children and youth to assess potential familial connections. Attend shelter hearings to engage with biological parents to assess potential familial connections. Engage youth when developmentally appropriate in building a family tree.
  • Conduct case file reviews, internet searches and other family finding techniques to identify potential familial connections.
  • Conduct follow-up with all individuals who have expressed interest in the child(ren).
  • Assure compliance regarding current federal, state, and local laws, contracts, accreditation standards, and policies and procedures
  • Provide all qualified families the necessary documentation related to Level 1 GAP Licensing.
  • Act as SPOC/liaison for Relative/Non-Relative families for their assigned county.
  • Make referral to Kinship Program for relative/non-relative caregivers within 30 days of assignment to case management unit.
  • Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Agency's programs and services and those of related agencies in the community.
  • Apply critical thinking to create strategies and interventions resulting in measurable increased performance related to reducing children in licensed care
  • Provide effective support and technical assistance to Case Management teams to identify and engage potential relatives and non-relatives as connections and placement resources
  • Create reports and recommendations based performance trends and outcomes
  • Leads the tracking of completion of placement leads, home studies, and background checks on potential placements
  • Document appropriate information into FSFN within 48 hours.
  • Complete Abuse Registry and complete criminal background screenings
  • Make placement recommendations to the court at scheduled hearings
  • Provide and locate ongoing support services for Relative/Non-Relative Caregiver families regardless of if cases being active or closed
  • Develop ongoing resources for Relative/Non-Relative Caregivers and make them accessible both electronically and manually
  • Provides general clerical support which includes answering and screening telephone calls, greeting and directing visitors/clients; making copies of licensing and re-licensing packets; opening, date stamping and routing incoming mail; preparing meeting minutes
  • Follow-up support on initial placements and assist Child Welfare Case Managers, as needed, to ensure placement recommendations are completed
  • Attend appropriate staffings to advocate for the best interest of the children served
  • Track and log all appropriate information for monthly reports
  • Travel throughout the Circuit
  • Other duties may be assigned as special projects may be requested.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have high level of energy, be adaptable to irregular hours and travel as needed.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time and tolerate extended periods of data entry.

Education/Experience:

High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) with 6 months to one year experience required. Associates degree and one year experience in the human services field preferred.

Skills:

Incumbent must possess knowledge of statutes, contract terms, data analysis, and performance standards. Ability to analyze data and trends, apply that information to accepted standards, and create written reports and presentations. Must be detail-oriented and highly organized, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Computer experience in a Windows environment, Microsoft Office (Excel, WORD, POWERPOINT), ability to learn and utilize other software programs (such as FSFN and CoBRIS). Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Public speaking skills; Must be highly motivated and self-directed. Knowledge of community resources, service referrals and linkage, and child development; including physical, mental, emotional and cultural and ethnicity issues required. Ability to motivate and engage families and a solid understanding of trauma informed care. Ability to work under stressful situations with poise; Must attend relevant skills-enhancement training and demonstrate required program specific knowledge. Time management skills necessary to accomplish this position.

Other:

• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.
• Must maintain an appropriate and valid state driver's license and meet state criminal background check requirements.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

Medical, Dental and Vision
Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement

Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer