Adoption Family Consultant

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Adoption Family Consultant DIVISION: Georgia

REPORTS TO: Manager of Home Development SUPERVISION TO: None

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB FUNCTION:

FaithBridge Foster Care, Georgia’s largest Christ-centered foster care agency (a non-profit organization) located in metro Atlanta, is hiring an Adoption Family Consultant.

The Adoptive Family Consultant (AFC) is our unique version of the case management role within a child placing agency. AFCs work closely with DFCS and the juvenile court system to manage children’s matching and placement within an adoptive home. They participate in matching children with adoptive families during the placement process. They ensure each child’s safety, permanency, and well-being while in care through home visits and frequent involvement with the child and family. AFCs promote placement stability through parent coaching, 24/7 support, service coordination, spiritual guidance, treatment planning, and crisis intervention. AFCs advocate for each child’s best interest by attending all court hearings, panel reviews, family team meetings, educational meetings, and other meetings related to the child’s care or case.

Adoption Essential Core Responsibilities:

Determine suitability of current adoptive home families and prospective adoptive homes.

Obtains information and assists with matching children waiting for adoption in Georgia

Ensure compliance of adoptive home providers with program policies and state licensing or certification requirements.

Provide an awareness of potentially serious problems which may arise in the adoptive care homes and alerts management of such concerns, especially those which may have legal risk or safety ramifications.

Consultation with agency staff regarding the selecting of adoptive homes for a child and the transition of that child to the home.

Ensure all adoption home study paperwork is uploaded and managed in the agency case management online system.

Ensure reevaluations & addendums for adoptive homes are completed accurately and on time to maintain home licenses

Ensures adoption home study assessments and documents meet the requirements set forth by DFCS, RCCL and OPM.

Networks with adoptive resources and Regional Adoption Coordinators

Assists with developing infant adoption program and birth parent recruitment and support

Completes other duties as assigned.

Additional Core Responsibilities and Expectations

Maintains and abides by all court orders

Supports a goal that has children and families’ best interest at all times

Is an active advocate for children and families

Participates in on-call rotation as needed

Assess and ensures children and families receive timely and appropriate services such as medical, dental, educational, mental health, social and behavioral

Coordinates and/or participates in court hearings, family team meetings, home visits, educational advocacy, clinical staffing’s and other meetings as needed

Communicates with home study team any adoptive home licensing needs, concerns, changes, and ministry re-engagement plans

Communicates with all service providers regarding progress and direction of case as appropriate

Provides backup to Referral and Placement Consultant on as needed basis

Understands and supports family systems

Assesses the impact of adoption on the adoption family system and provides necessary intervention and support as needed

Provide pastoral care to children and adoptive families

Provide 24/7 care as needed to meet adoptive children and adoptive family needs

Utilizes clinical and consulting skills to provide coaching and support to families

Ability to recognize a client for self-harm/suicide/homicide risk and make appropriate referrals

Demonstrates a working knowledge of trauma and how that impacts the children and families served.

Demonstrates authentic, honest and effective communication skills

Ability to intervene and provide clinical skills, crisis intervention, and mediation

Knowledge of de-escalation techniques

Provides post-placement & pre-placement visits with adoptive families to promote optimum utilization once identified and matches with child

Manages utilization of adoptive homes through consulting and pastoral care with adoptive

Manages adoptive homes yearly training hours and documentation to maintain licensing requirements.

Works and collaborates with individuals including DFCS, CMS, GAL, child attorneys, service providers, etc. on their cases to move them toward adoption finalization

Demonstrates ability to navigate high stress situations and conflict using emotional and spiritual maturity

Completes required service plans, assessments, other documents and monthly contacts according to required timeframes

Works diligently to be well-informed regarding a child’s background and needs

Advocates strongly on issues that are important to the child’s well-being, safety and permanency

Demonstrates an ability to positively navigate transition and change and models flexibility for others

Maintains relationships with church partners as it relates to FaithBridge adoptive families

Works in collaboration with church partners and the Community of Care to meet the needs of the children and families

EQUIPMENT USED: Personal vehicle, cell phone, copy machine, fax, computer provided by FaithBridge

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Degree in Human Services Field (ie., Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Science, Counseling, Ministry/Theology, or other related degree). MA/MS preferred. BA/BS required. Clinical Experience: Strong clinical knowledge, particularly in the areas of childhood trauma, family-systems, substance abuse. Strong coaching/counseling and crisis intervention skills. Experience with GA Score and Shines preferred, but not required. Georgia RBWO Foundations Certified or waiver eligible is beneficial, but not required.

Skill Requirements: Strong interpersonal skills, maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients, staff, parents and families served. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to work within a team. Ability to handle job related matters in a professional, diplomatic and confidential manner. Knowledge of community resources and services. Ability to organize and execute responsibilities in an independent manner. Knowledge of normal business computer skills. Competent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking ability which allows for effective oral communication of information. Ability to physically transport self and clients to various locations. Physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job related issues and stress.