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Form of workAre you looking for a unique, family-centric opportunity for kids in foster care? Do you have a bachelor's degree in a human services related field? How about experience working in child welfare or a related service setting? Our FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST supports youth in foster care by engaging their biological family and community members in a supportive network. This position engages with identified potential youth support system (relatives / extended family) to overcome barriers to case participation and cultivate relationships. The goal is to preserve a child's cultural, ethnic, and familial connections to provide support within a kinship system. It is our specialist's role to nurture family strengths and build upon natural support networks to enhance the safety and well-being of children in our care.
Welcome to Samaritas Nation!
Samaritas is a Michigan-based human service organization that connects people with families and communities, empowers them to live their fullest life possible, and creates a ripple effect of transformation. The reference to the work of the Good Samaritan in our name is especially fitting as it is consistent with our mission, values and the services our faith-based company provides.
APPLY TODAY! #BeTheRock, creating ripples of positive transformation in the lives of those we are entrusted to serve!
This position has a salary of $41,600 per year.
Click this Samaritas Preview to learn about our varied & impactful person-centered programs.
Here is a link to the latest edition of the Samaritas Electronic Magazine: Our Hands. Get to know us!
We ask you to become the rock that creates the ripple of transformation. Click this link to learn more on what being the rock means What Does It Mean?
Some of the benefits you may receive are:
Full Time/Part Time
- Competitive Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits, effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment
- Company paid Basic Life Insurance ($10,000 minimum for each full time and part time employee)
- Company paid Short Term Disability accrual (Full time employees)
- Retirement Plan (403b) - Company matches on first 1.5% of gross income at 133%
- Great Personal Time Off (PTO) accruals
- Awesome Employee Discounts
- UKG Wallet - Pre-Pay Options
- Plus, many more benefits
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assume primary responsibility for engagement with referred relatives, fictive kin and/or significant adults from the youth's life
- Work in conjunction with the Family Finding Specialist to lead our foster care program in advocacy efforts for relative placements and/or relative engagement
- Contact relatives identified; explore and engage interest in placement and/or ongoing support of children
- Provide orientation/expectations/training to potential relative caregivers and complete an initial safety screening on all relatives interested in placement in accordance with MDHHS, DCWL, COA and Agency policies and procedures
- Assess potential placements and make recommendations regarding those placements
- Identify barriers to placement and facilitate work with the team to collectively problem-solve and monitor possible solutions from a strengths-based perspective
- Engage and provide ongoing support/point of contact for relatives who are interested in maintaining or developing a relationship with children. This could include, but is not limited to, coordinating, supervising and/or assisting with relative visits and/or substitute care and working to facilitate a relationship between relatives and licensed foster family
- Collaborate with multiple teams to ensure effective service to children and families
- Ensure all contract requirements related to family finding and relative engagement are met
- Prepare family members/potential supportive adults' by determining their cultural and language needs, transportation needs, and confidentiality and safety issues
- Function as a member of the Foster Care Licensing team and participate in a rotation for on-call after-hours needs and other licensing duties including Special Evaluation Reports and family appreciation and support events
- Other duties as assigned as appropriate to this position
Job Qualifications
Education, Training, and Licensure/Certification
- Bachelor degree in a qualifying human services field required as defined by MDHHS
Experience
- Minimum one year of experience working in child welfare or related service setting required
Additional Work Requirements
- Required to attend and participate in trainings and other professional development activity, including those outlined by the foster care contract and Council of Accreditation (COA) requirements
- Unrestricted, valid driver's license with good driving record. Reliable personal transportation suitable for safely transporting persons served; proof of current automobile insurance
#humanservices #childwelfare #socialwork
