Allegheny County Wendy's Wonderful Kids Adoption Recruiter

The Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter will connect Allegheny County youth who wait for permanent homes with families who wish to adopt by implementing and coordinating effective recruitment, matching and support services for a caseload of 12-15 youth in active recruitment status. The recruiter will use the evidence-based child-focused recruitment model to identify legally permanent resources for youth in the county's permanent custody or APPLA status who are over the age of nine, have special needs and /or are part of a sibling group.

Major Duties:

• Work in partnership with agency staff to identify youth for referrals to the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program.
• Review the case record, interview the youth, caseworker, other agency staff with knowledge of the case and any available family members and/or other supportive connections to assist in the recruitment process.
• Utilize internet search tools to identify and locate resources within the youth's network.
• Develop an initial written adoption readiness assessment describing the youth's understanding and feelings about adoption.
• Create child-focused recruitment plans for the youth.
• Meet with the youth on a monthly basis.
• Communicate with the caseworker on a monthly basis to review the progress of the recruitment plan.
• Meet withe family members and supportive connections to discuss the progress of locating permanent resources for the youth.
• Once matched, work with the caseworker, youth and the adoptive resource to ensure preplacement visits are implemented.
• Assist with the development and coordination of the transition plan with the youth and matched family. Work with the youth and family during the transition process to assist with placement support.
• Work in conjunction with the caseworker to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization.
• Attend educational opportunities provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption including, but not limited to: Wendy's Wonderful Kids classroom training, online modules, database training, webinars, and the Wendy's Wonderful Kids Summit hosted by the Foundation.
• Submit monthly data in the WWK database.
• Follow the Four R trauma informed goals: Realize how trauma can affect people, Recognize the signs of trauma, Respond in a trauma informed manner, Resist re-traumatization.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in child welfare including knowledge of issues surrounding foster care, adoption, trauma, medical and developmental needs and the importance of legal permanency are recommended as well as familiarity with state child welfare rules and procedures and the juvenile and/or probate court systems.
• Bachelor's degree with two years post graduate direct experience required, MSW preferred.
• Expertise in providing family support/excellent customer service.
• Ability and willingness to travel with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
• Computer literacy and efficiency with MS Office software.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective.

Desired Qualities

• Belief that all children deserve legal permanency.
• Highly motivated self starter.
• Knowledgeable regarding impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects and cultivate relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations, including public agency staff.
• Willingness to engage in cold calling people identified as current and previous connections of the youth.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,141.44 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Extended hours
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $35,141 - $40,000