Kinship Navigator Specialist - Social Worker

Paycom - ATS; Grinnell (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401k Retirement plan

Growth & Advancement opportunities

Excellent paid leave time

7 Paid holidays

Flexible Work Schedule

Business casual work environment

Educational discounts

Job summary

Four Oaks seeks a Kinship Navigator Specialist to provide individualized services that center kinship caregivers, children, and families, promoting stability, reunification, and safety. The role engages with community partners to tailor support plans and connect families to essential resources.

Responsibilities include assessing caregiver needs, developing action plans, linking to childcare, healthcare, and financial supports, and collaborating with groups to ensure sustained placement stability

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in social work or a related field with at least two years of full-time experience in child welfare or with Foster/Adoptive families.
• Preference for candidates with a Master’s Degree or AA plus relevant hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess kinship caregiver needs to determine best support paths for children in their care.
• Develop Kinship Support Plans with concrete steps for outcomes like childcare access and healthcare services.
• Coordinate with support groups to provide emotional support and practical resources.
• Link kinship caregivers to programs and resources such as food assistance, childcare, FIP, medical coverage and legal aid.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Care planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or human services

Master's degree in social work or human services

AA degree in social work or human services

Job description

Job Details

• Level: Entry
• Job Location: Grinnell Campus - Grinnell, IA 50112
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree
• Job Shift: 1st Shift
• Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

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?

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 & Program Information: 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!