Kinship Navigator - Social Worker

Four Oaks Family & Children Services; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401k Retirement plan

Growth & Advancement opportunities

Excellent paid leave time package

7 Paid holidays

Flexible Work Schedule

Business casual work environment

Educational discounts

Job summary

Four Oaks Family & Children Services seeks a Kinship Navigator Specialist for their Ankeny Campus. This role focuses on supporting kinship caregivers by providing individualized services, developing support plans, and connecting them with essential resources.

To qualify, candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a related field and have at least two years of experience in child welfare. The position offers a supportive work environment with various employee benefits including medical insurance, a 401k plan, and flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in social work or human services field required.
• Two years of full-time paid experience in child welfare preferred.
• Experience with foster and adoptive families is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized services for kinship caregivers.
• Develop Kinship Support Plans to meet caregivers' needs.
• Connect caregivers with supplemental resources.
• Create a supportive home environment for children.

Skills

Experience in child welfare

Strong communication skills

Ability to assess caregiver needs

Knowledge of community resources

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field

Master's Degree in Human Services

Job description

Overview

Job Details: Level: Entry; Job Location: Ankeny Campus - Ankeny, IA 50023; Position Type: Full Time; Education Level: Bachelor's Degree; Job Shift: 1st Shift; Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services.

Responsibilities

• As the Kinship Navigator Specialist you will provide individualized services that incorporate the voices of children, parents, kin, fictive kin and community partners in order to achieve positive outcomes for children and their families. This program is structured to meet the needs of kinship caregivers while supporting placement stability, reunification and child safety.
• Making an assessment of kinship caregiver needs related to identifying the best way to support them and children in their care.
• Development of a Kinship Support Plan with action steps to specified outcomes including:
• Support and identification of affordable childcare
• Access to medical, dental and mental health services
• Ensuring the basic needs are being met including clothing, furniture, food and gas cards
• Associating with support groups to provide an outlet for shared communication and emotional support.
• Connecting kinship caregivers with supplemental resources such as food assistance, child care, family investment program (FIP), medical insurance and/or legal aid.

Goals

• Create a safe, stable and supportive home environment for children
• Keep children within their natural supports
• Understand gaps and delays with service delivery to kinship caregivers
• Maintain and engage kinship caregivers using a strength-based approach
• Increase kinship placements
• Decrease lateral movements

Why Work Here?

Four Oaks understands the importance of supporting and treating one another as if they were our own family members. We believe in maintaining a healthy work/life balance while providing career paths for everyone. Our organization flourishes in an environment of equal opportunity and fair treatment for all. The effects of diversity and inclusion have created an atmosphere of positivity which connects us to the customers we serve. As a valued team member, you are eligible for:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401k Retirement plan
• Growth & Advancement opportunities
• Excellent paid leave time package
• 7 Paid holidays
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Business casual work environment
• Educational discounts

Qualifications

What you need: To qualify you must possess a Bachelor's Degree, Master's or AA degree in social work or a human services related field plus two (2) years of full time paid experience in child welfare or a Master's Degree in Human Services. Prior experience in working with Foster and Adoptive families is a plus!