Kinship Navigator - Social Worker

Four Oaks Enterprise; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; 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 Enterprise in Ankeny, IA is hiring a Kinship Navigator Specialist to provide individualized services that center kinship caregivers and children, aiming for placement stability, reunification and safety.

You will assess caregiver needs, develop a Kinship Support Plan with steps, connect families to childcare, health services, basic needs and community resources, and collaborate with support groups to support placement stability and family resilience.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's Degree, Master's or AA degree in social work or a human services related field.
• Two years of full-time paid experience in child welfare is required.
• Prior experience with Foster and Adoptive families is a plus.

Responsibilities

• 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 s food assistance, child care, family investment program (FIP0, medical insurance and/or legal aid).

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

AA degree

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: EntryJob Location: Ankeny Campus - Ankeny, IA 50023Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: Bachelor's DegreeJob Shift: 1st ShiftJob Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

What you will do?

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.

Specific responsibilities include:

• 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 s food assistance, child care, family investment program (FIP0, medical insurance and/or legal aid.

What are the 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?

• 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 & Program Information

What you need:

To qualify you must possess aBachelor'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!