Job Information
Kids Central, Inc. Placement Specialist - Child Welfare in Wildwood, Florida
VETERANS PREFERENCE
As the initial point of contact with the Placement Specialist is responsible for the timely and accurate intake, assessment and coordination of out-of-home care for children operating within Florida Statute, Florida Administrative Code, and operating procedures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Ensure children receive timely, accurate and complete assessments, so they can be matched and maintained in the most appropriate setting (foster care, residential and acute care behavioral settings)
Ensure all services identified by Protective Investigator and/or Case manager are appropriate and are delivered, authorizing all initial services and requests
Assist Protective Investigator and/or Case Manager in developing initial plan of action make referrals based on established criteria and standards
Routinely attend and participate in Children Medical Assessment Team (CMAT), disruption and multidisciplinary staffing's
Assist with the integration and stabilization of level of care of children into therapeutic care, medical care and children with disabilities
Act as liaison between foster parents, case management agencies and Department of Children and Families staff to ensure appropriate placements are maintained
Communicate, counsel and de-escalate crisis calls from foster parents, including arranging for respite care; resolve foster parent payment issues with Accounting
Complete over capacity waivers including medical, physical and/or mental health needs of the child and appropriate support services are considered prior to recommendation to review committee
Identify additional placement capacity needs
Ensure accurate and timely placement data information is entered into FSFN for proper payment to foster homes and group homes
Provides routine overnight coverage (from 5:00 pm to 8:00 am) and occasional weekend coverage (5:00 pm Friday to 8:00 am Monday) in the placement of children
Other duties as assigned by supervisor
This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Experience
Experience in Social or Human Services preferred.
Bachelor's degree in human services, behavioral health or related field from accredited institution, preferred.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Other Requirements
Certification as Child Protective Professional preferred
Current Background Clearance Screening Letter
Valid Florida driver's license, and must be insurable by current insurance carrier
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
Ability to meet Organizational Required Competency standards
Knowledge of child welfare system
Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Attention to detail is a critical component
Must possess great documentation skills
Excellent phone etiquette
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Ability to work in an office environment
Ability to multitask and problem solve
Ability to work routinely covering overnight shift, and occasional coverage of weekend shift
Ability to travel locally, up to 40%
Ability to safely operate motor vehicle
Ability to assume on-call responsibilities outside normal working hours
Work Environment/ Physical Demands
This job regularly operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must f equently lift and/or move objects up to 5 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds.