The Permanency Specialist will complete Statewide Adoption Network Units of Services. The basic job duties for these units are as follows:
Child Preparation Duties:
- Gather all information relevant to the provision of Child Preparation activities.
- Adequately prepare the resource family and child for Child Preparation activities.
- Conduct Child Preparation activities according to the number of sessions specified by agency policy using agency approved preparation materials.
- Complete all required written reports that are applicable to this unit of service.
- Complete all requirements of the Child Preparation Unit of Service as outlined in the SWAN Child Preparation Benchmarks in a timely manner.
Family Profile/Preparation Duties:
1. Ensure that the resource family meets all orientation/training requirements.
This may include conducting individual and/or group trainings for resource
families.
2. Conduct interviews in the resource family home to gather necessary information for the Family Approval Document.
3. Ensure the resource family completes all required paperwork in a timely manner.
4. Complete all required written materials including the Family Approval Document and any required addendums.
5. Meet with the resource family to review the Family Approval Document and notify them of their approval/disapproval.
6. Complete all requirements of the Family Profile Unit of Service as
outlined in the SWAN Family Profile Benchmarks in a timely manner.
Child Profile Duties:
1. Review all pertinent information relevant to the child.
2. Schedule and attend interviews with any collateral sources of information relevant to the Child Profile including the child, family members, and resource parents.
3. Complete the written Child Profile and any required addendums according to
Statewide Adoption Network and agency guidelines.
4. Complete all requirement of the Child Profile Unit of Service as outlined in the SWAN Child Profile Benchmarks in a timely manner.
Finalization Duties:
1. Supervise the placement of the child.
2. Support the pre-adoptive family during the process of finalizing a subsidy agreement with the county agency.
3. Complete any paperwork related to safety in the pre-adoptive home.
4. Work with the family’s attorney and the placing county worker to complete and gather any necessary legal documents related to the adoption.
- Conduct Individualized Permanency Service Plan (IPSP) meetings as required.
- Complete Supervisory Reports as required.
7. Support the family in any way necessary prior to the adoption finalization and ensure the family is aware of Post Permanency Services.
8. Attend the finalization court hearing and follow-up on the receipt of the final
Adoption Decree.
9. Complete all requirements of the Finalization Unit of Service as
outlined in the SWAN Finalization Benchmarks in a timely manner.
Child Specific Recruitment (CSR) Duties:
1. Complete a CSR plan. This includes meeting with the child and identified team members for input into locating permanency resources.
2. Ensure the child is registered with the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (as appropriate) and other pertinent adoption registries.
3. Utilize various forms of media for family recruitment purposes, including but not limited to posters, flyers, TV recordings, etc. (as appropriate).
4. Participate in matching events and other community-based events for the purposes of recruiting permanency resources.
5. Complete all necessary paperwork to document CSR efforts and update the county on a regular basis as to the status of the case.
6. Provide input into the selection process when matching a child with an identified resource family.
7. Complete all requirements of the Child Specific Recruitment Unit of Service as outlined in the SWAN Child Specific Recruitment Benchmarks in a timely manner.
Post Permanency Services Duties:
Case Assessment/Case Management
1. Gather and review all pertinent information about a child and permanency
resource and complete a social history regarding the case.
2. Complete all required formal assessments at specified time periods.
3. Conduct an Individualized Family Support Plan meeting and develop
ongoing recommendations for Post Permanency Services. Update the plan as needed/required.
4. Provide ongoing case management services with the child and adoptive family to include service coordination, referrals for needed services, evaluation of current services, and problem solving as a family unit.
5. Complete all requirements of the Post Permanency Case Assessment and Case Management Unit of Services as outlined in the SWAN Post Permanency Benchmarks in a timely manner.
Support Group/Respite
1. In coordination with Case Assessment and Case Management activities as stated above, arrange and support the provision of Support Group and/or Respite Care as part of ongoing Post Permanency Services.
2. Participate in Support Group activities and other supportive services as
developed by the agency related to the Support Group Unit of Service.
3. Complete all required formal assessments at specified time periods for both
Support Group and Respite Units of Service.
4. Coordinate and supervise the provision of respite services according to
agency policy including the development of a respite plan.
5. Complete all requirements of the Post Permanency Support
Group and Respite Unit of Services as outlined in the SWAN Post
Permanency Benchmarks in a timely manner.
GENERAL DUTIES:
1. Learn, understand, accept, and implement agency policy, applicable laws,
and regulations.
2. Attend required meetings, conferences, trainings, and other agency
functions.
3. Manage work time appropriately on a 40-hour week flex time schedule, be
punctual for appointments, and complete assignments and reports on time.
4. Communicate fully, honestly, and clearly in an appropriate, positive manner
which furthers the agency’s purpose and promotes cooperation and teamwork with others. Keep your supervisor, administration and referring agency fully informed, in a timely manner, of important issues.
5. Assist and support resource families and children placed with them to
develop relationships, which will make possible and promote a safe and
welcoming home. Participate in and provide leadership in planning and
carrying out activities, which promote well-being, happiness, the ability to
solve problems, and personal development for children.
6. Prepare written plans and carry out planning processes as required by
agency policies and regulations.
7. Maintain complete, clear, comprehensive, neat, and organized records for
children and families in compliance with FCCY policies and DHS
regulations.
8. Keep desk and work area clean, neat, and in order.
9. Avoid giving messages of anger, defiance of rule, law or generally accepted
morality, excessive pressure, or disorganization. Give positive messages
which further the agency’s purpose in non-verbal communication including
dress, manner and condition of the work environment. Understand the
difference and give positive rather than negative harmful messages by use
of good taste and judgement.
10. Relate to other people in a manner which promotes cooperation and relate
to colleagues in a manner which promotes teamwork. Show courtesy,
respect, appropriate concern, friendliness, and mature control of feelings
and self in all interactions.
11. Make appropriate written suggestions for improvement in policies when
improvements are possible.
12. Assist with, as required and requested, carrying cases for foster care, intake and on-call duties.
The Permanency Specialist position requires a bachelor’s degree which includes credits in the area of human services, experience working with children, a current Pennsylvania driver’s license, and eligibility under current Pennsylvania legal and regulatory requirements. A Permanency Specialist must demonstrate an ability to understand, accept, and implement agency philosophy and policies, an ability to form appropriate relationships to work successfully with adults and children from a variety of backgrounds, to promote, encourage and participate in teamwork efforts. A Permanency Specialist must have an ability to solve problems in a resourceful and appropriate way. The position requires a willingness to learn and develop professionally.
