Family Support Worker - Kinship

Saint Francis Ministries; Hays (KS); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Francis Ministries is seeking a Family Support Worker to assist kinship families in caring for children and youth in out-of-home placement. The role involves in-home services, crisis intervention, and collaboration with case teams across Kansas.

Responsibilities include mobilizing support networks, coordinating transportation for visits, and maintaining detailed case records. Occasional on-call shifts and travel statewide are expected to support permanency goals and family well-being.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Prefer 2 years’ experience working with children/youth and families.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must pass a drug screen, MVR, KBI, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Clearance check and an Adult Registry Check.
• FBI Fingerprint check.
• Lifting requirement of 50 lbs.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct in-home services to kinship families including, but not limited to, parenting skills, life skills, child development, crisis intervention, and behavior management to children/youth placed in the home.
• Supports kinship families in maintaining children/youth placed in the home and helping the children/youth work towards permanency.
• Participate in case staffing’s, family meetings, assessments, and in the team decision-making process.
• Assists kinship families in establishing a support network with family, friends, and community service providers.
• Develops an individualized respite plan with the kinship family.
• Assist Case Teams with coordination of transportation for visitation between children/youth and parents, appointments, court, and community providers, as requested.
• Completes safety plans, as needed, with kinship families.
• Completes KBI, CANIS, Adult Abuse Registry background checks and fingerprints for prospective kinship families, as needed.
• Provides support and services assisting the kinship families in addressing the effect of maltreatment on children/youth in their care.
• Participates in supervisory and kinship team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/youth/families’ progress, collateral contacts, and relationships with community providers.
• Provides intervention for children/youth and families in crisis situations.
• May work with the court system and follow court protocols including appropriate business attire.
• May participate in court proceedings, including testifying, and making sure court orders are followed.
• Completes and maintains documentation in child/youth’s case record accurately and within established time frames.
• Mediates, as needed, the relationship between the kinship family and parents/caregivers.
• Participate in office team meetings to build a collaborative and positive relationship with Case Teams.
• Supervises and transports children/youth as needed.
• On-call rotation where you will be available outside of regular working hours to address any urgent issues that arise during your rotation. The essential functions during on-call periods include: Availability, Rapid Response, Problem Resolution, Travel, Documentation.
• Travels throughout the state of Kansas to provide kinship services to children/youth and families, including regular home visits.
• Work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of children, families, and community partners.
• Implements Saint Francis Ministries policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent Saint Francis Ministries Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), rules, personnel policies, and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state, and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms.
• Reports critical incidents to DCF according to policy.
• Reports unusual incidents through appropriate Risk Management, clinical and safety channels.
• Ensures clients’ rights are protected.
• Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Behavior management

Case staffing

Team decision-making

Documentation

On-call availability

Transportation coordination

Travel within Kansas

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Family Support Worker for Kinship’s responsibility is to support kinship families in providing safe, secure care for children/youth in out-of-home placement.

• Provides direct in-home services to kinship families including, but not limited to, parenting skills, life skills, child development, crisis intervention, and behavior management to children/youth placed in the home.
• Through regular contact, supports kinship families in maintaining children/youth placed in the home and helping the children/youth work towards permanency.
• Participate in case staffing’s, family meetings, assessments, and in the team decision-making process.
• Assists kinship families in establishing a support network with family, friends, and community service providers.
• Develops an individualized respite plan with the kinship family.
• Assist Case Teams with coordination of transportation for visitation between children/youth and parents, appointments, court, and community providers, as requested.
• Completes safety plans, as needed, with kinship families.
• Completes KBI, CANIS, Adult Abuse Registry background checks and fingerprints for prospective kinship families, as needed.
• Provides support and services assisting the kinship families in addressing the effect of maltreatment on children/youth in their care.
• Participates in supervisory and kinship team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/youth/families’ progress, collateral contacts, and relationships with community providers.
• Provides intervention for children/youth and families in crisis situations.
• May work with the court system and follow court protocols including appropriate business attire.
• May participate in court proceedings, including testifying, and making sure court orders are followed.
• Completes and maintains documentation in child/youth’s case record accurately and within established time frames.
• Mediates, as needed, the relationship between the kinship family and parents/caregivers.
• Participate in office team meetings to build a collaborative and positive relationship with Case Teams.
• Supervises and transports children/youth as needed.
• On-call rotation where you will be available outside of regular working hours to address any urgent issues that arise during your rotation. The essential functions during on-call periods include:
  • Availability: Ensure that you are reachable via phone or designated communication channels at all times during the on-call period.
  • Rapid Response: Respond to all calls or notifications immediately.
  • Problem Resolution: Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve issues promptly. If unable to resolve an issue independently, **escalate** it to the appropriate Supervisor on-call.
  • Travel: Be prepared to travel short notice to various locations throughout the State as required to address on-site issues. This may include travel to company facilities, client sites, or other relevant locations.
  • Documentation: Record all incidents, actions taken, and resolutions in the designated documentation system or log. Ensure that a clear handover is provided if the issue extends beyond the on-call period.
• Travels throughout the state of Kansas to provide kinship services to children/youth and families, including regular home visits.
• Work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of children, families, and community partners.
• Implements Saint Francis Ministries policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent Saint Francis Ministries Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), rules, personnel policies, and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state, and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms.
• Reports critical incidents to DCF according to policy.
• Reports unusual incidents through appropriate Risk Management, clinical and safety channels.
• Ensures clients’ rights are protected.
• Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Prefer 2 years’ experience working with children/youth and families.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must pass a drug screen, MVR, KBI, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Clearance check and an Adult Registry Check.
• FBI Fingerprint check.
• Lifting requirement of 50 lbs.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation.