Description

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve, and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

The Opportunity:
We're looking for an Adoption Support Consultant (SHPC2) to join our team. Our vision is that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

The adoption support program encourages the adoption of special needs children in the legal custody of public or private nonprofit child care agencies who would not be adopted if support for the child was not available. A key role of the adoption support program consultant is to coordinate, implement and manage the program that provides financial, medical, and counseling support to families from Washington State. As a statewide consultant, this position supports the DCYF mission by providing support to adoptive families.

Some of what you'll do:

• Determine adoption support eligibility for youth to be adopted from the child welfare system or child-placing agencies.
• Provide post-adoption resources for medical coverage, counseling, selected evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and a monthly cash payment to assist in meeting the needs of the child.
• Review individualized adoption support program contracts which are specific to the special needs and situation of each child.
• Review applications for reimbursement of non-recurring adoption finalization costs and issue contracts in accordance with laws, rules, policies, and standards.
• Assist and advocate for families in obtaining services to address the needs of their child/children in collaboration with community partners.
• Inform parents of counseling support services.
• Receive, evaluate, and approve preauthorization requests for counseling or evaluation services.
• Determine adoption support eligibility for private adoptions, tribal adoptions, and extenuating circumstances cases.
• Prepare for Fair Hearings when program services are in dispute and represent the state’s positions before the Administrative Law Judge.
• Participate in both state and federal audits of the adoption support program.
• Input data/case notes and upload all documentation for case-related activities into FamLink.

What we are looking for:

• One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 1

OR

• A Master's degree in early childhood education, social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND two years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR

• A Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND three years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

One year of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Previously demonstrated understanding of the permanency process, effects of adverse early childhood experiences on children, grief and loss issues, mental health conditions and treatment, and crisis intervention strategies.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of adoption and post-adoption support concepts, FamLink, negotiation, child development, ethnic and professional standards, social casework principles and practices, safety framework, decision-making, and interviewing techniques.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge and ability to follow and be responsible for monitoring budgetary allotments, expenditures, and performance indicators and representing the department at administrative fair hearings.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge and ability to complete critical paperwork and correspondence with families.
• Ability to apply knowledge of psychological, developmental, and medical conditions throughout the negotiation process.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of federal and state laws, agency-specific policies and procedures, principles of child development, and knowledge of community resources related to Child Welfare Services within the social work environment.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) requirements and state Program Improvement Plan (PIP).

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Current resume detailing experience and education
• Copy of college transcripts

Supplemental Information
Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) state employees must be fully vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. If you are a selected candidate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination in order to become/remain a DCYF employee. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet the requirement due to a medical or religious necessity.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

To take advantage of Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion and respect.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply on-line? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360)688-3529 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

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