Kinship Care Specialist

Southwest Human Development; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-one health plan

Wellness programming

Generous PTO

Job summary

Southwest Human Development in Arizona seeks a Kinship Care Specialist to provide essential services under Arizona DCS contracts. You will complete home studies and supervision for kinship, foster, and adoptive families, and prepare court-ready reports while connecting families to community resources.

Ideal candidates are organized, flexible, and strong communicators with excellent written skills, legal awareness, and computer proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field (required or preferred).
• Working knowledge of child welfare systems, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and related laws.
• Ability to pass a criminal background and drug test.
• Valid Arizona driver's license and access to an AZ-registered vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Deliver services as outlined in DCS contracts.
• Complete home studies and courtesy supervision for children in DCS custody with kinship caregivers, foster parents, or adoptive parents.
• Prepare reports for court and DCS submissions.
• Provide education and connect families to community resources.
• License and monitor kinship caregivers' homes.
• Collaborate with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to serve children and families.
• Maintain timely and accurate client files.
• Build partnerships with families, community providers, and peers.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Word

Job description

A positive future for every child!
Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time. We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children.

A positive future for every child!
Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time. We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children.
Your skills, experience, and passion are needed at one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development. Join our team and experience a long-term career that brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you make a difference.
Why choose us?

• You will be rewarded with benefits, including day one zero contribution health plan options, wellness programming, and generous paid time off.
• You will benefit from high-quality paid training to promote professional growth and development.
• You will enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Job Title: Kinship Care Specialist
This position provides essential services, including home studies and support for kinship, foster, guardian, and adoptive families. Use your excellent communication skills to make a difference in the lives of children in need.
The ideal candidate must be organized and flexible; able to prioritize multiple tasks; capable of independent judgment and high-level performance while working to meet daily deadlines; an accomplished communicator with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills; and possess excellent computer skills to include Windows applications.
What You Will Do:

• Deliver services as outlined in the Scope of Work within Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) contracts.
• Complete home studies and courtesy supervision services for children who are in DCS custody through visiting with children and their kinship caregivers, foster parents, and/or adoptive parents in their homes.
• Display excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to complete reports that are submitted to court and/or the Department of Child Safety
• Provide education and support to kinship, foster, guardian, and adoptive families and connect them to community resources
• License and monitor kinship caregivers' homes
• Work in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to better serve children and families
• Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate client files
• Establish a working partnership with families, community providers, and your peers
  

What It Takes:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related human services field preferred
• Working knowledge of child welfare systems, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), and relevant state, federal, and local laws governing child placement, custody, and treatment.
• Familiarity with mandated reporting procedures and legal responsibilities related to suspected child abuse and neglect.
• Understanding of the impact of foster care on children and families.
• Microsoft Word, Windows experience, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background and drug test.
• Valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card preferred OR must qualify for a valid Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license, have access to an Arizona-registered vehicle, and maintain current vehicle insurance.

What Sets You Apart:

• Direct work in child welfare, service coordination, or with families at risk for abuse or neglect.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
  

Learn more!
Our core values embody Southwest Human Development’s commitment to services that uplift the lives of children, families, and other care providers, and the communities in which they live. These values are intended to guide the professional development, ethical conduct, and skilled practice of all our team, whatever their specific role within the agency. All of our team members are valued as making essential contributions to strengthening the foundation that Arizona’s children need for a great start in life. Learn more about our values and benefitshere.
Experience
Required

• Working knowledge of child welfare systems, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), and relevant state, federal, and local laws governing child placement, custody, and treatment
• Familiarity with mandated reporting procedures and legal responsibilities related to suspected child abuse and neglect.
• Understanding of the impact of foster care on children and families.
  

Preferred

• Direct work in child welfare, service coordination, or with families at risk for abuse or neglect.
  

Education
Required

• Bachelors or better in Social Work or related field
  

Licenses & Certifications
Required

• Auto Ins Certificate
• DCS APS CBC Online Check
• CPR and First Aid Cert
• Fingerprint Card Level 1
• FPC DPS Verification
• Driver License
• DES Criminal Affidavit
  

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.