Permanency Recruiter

Program Overview:  

Youth Villages’ Treatment Foster Care program provides evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment for youth in foster care while supporting foster parents and advocating for the best interests of each youth. The program serves children and adolescents (ages 0 to18) who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, and may have behavioral and mental health needs.  

Our parent-centered treatment model promotes positive change across home, school, community, and peer environments – all while working diligently to achieve family reunification whenever possible or finding permanency through adoption.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

The Permanency Recruiter: 

• Carries a caseload of 15 youth in active recruitment status  

• Connects youth in foster care and residential treatment settings who have no identified permanency options with adoptive families through intensive, child-focused recruitment efforts 

• Identifies, engages, and supports permanent connections for children (who may have special needs or behavioral and mental health concerns), older youth, sibling groups, or those at risk of aging out of care without legal permanency 

• Conducts in-depth file reviews and interviews youth, caseworkers, family members, and other significant individuals in the youth's life 

• Develops and implements individualized, child-specific recruitment plans informed by case history, youth preferences, and professional recommendations 

• Conducts monthly face-to-face visits with each youth to assess and support adoption readiness and permanency planning 

• Utilizes tools including internet searches, genograms, and historical documentation to identify past and potential connections 

• Creates written assessments of adoption readiness and progress 

• Collaborates with caseworkers and other professionals to coordinate recruitment and permanency activities monthly 

• Communicates with the caseworker monthly to review the progress of the recruitment plan 

• Provides case management and customer relations by coordinating and organizing various meetings and appointments to fit the needs and schedules of involved parties (which may include working after normal ‘business hours’)  

• Assists with pre-placement planning and support (including coordination of visits and safety planning) once matched 

• Assists with developing and implementing a transition plan (including but not limited to: connecting the family to mental health treatment services, community resources, and education support; providing psychoeducation on the youth’s specific needs; and developing a support network and safety plan) 

• Advocates for the youth’s best interest, including overcoming resistance to permanency  

• Participates in and facilitates team meetings, case conferences, and permanency planning reviews 

• Works in conjunction with the caseworker and other involved professionals to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization 

• Maintains accurate documentation of recruitment activities, youth engagement, and family matching in accordance with agency and program standards 

• Attends all required trainings and conferences   

• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR) 

• Performs other duties as assigned 

Additional Information:  

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.  

• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance. 

• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage. 

Salary:

$52,000 - $60,000 per year based on education and clinical license

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in a social services discipline (preferred) 

• Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline (required) 

  • Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review) 

• Minimum of 2 years post-degree experience in child welfare or adoption services (preferred) 

• Minimum of 6 months experience at Youth Villages (preferred) 

• Experience with youth in state custody and knowledge of permanency planning process (preferred) 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail  

• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills  

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously  

• Basic computer knowledge  

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule