Job Information
Samaritas Family Engagement Specialist - Social Worker in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Position Details
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST - SOCIAL WORKER - FULL TIME
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? We have a newly-available job for you to consider! Our Family Engagement Specialist supports youth in foster care by engaging their biological family and community members in a supportive network of connections. This position engages with identified potential youth supports to overcome barriers to case participation and build relationships. The goal is to preserve a child's cultural, ethnic, and familial connections to provide support within a kinship system. It is the 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!
APPLY TODAY! #BeTheRock, creating ripples of positive transformation in the lives of those we are entrusted to serve!
What's In It For You
Some of the benefits you may receive are:
Full Time/Part TimeCompetitive 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 #ZR
Apply for this position online (https://careers-samaritas.icims.com/jobs/10729/family-engagement-specialist---social-worker/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in_iframe=1&hashed=-336059921)
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Samaritas is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/Vets/Disabled. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. We can recommend jobs specifically for you!Samaritas is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/Vets/Disabled (https://careers-samaritas.icims.com/connect?back=intro&findajob=1&in_iframe=1&hashed=-435624383)
Requisition Number2024-10729
Employee TypeFull-Time
Hours Per Pay Period80
ShiftDay
Work Hours8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Weekends and/or Holidays RequiredNo
On Call RequiredYes
Position LocationUS-MI-Grand Rapids