Summary of Position

The Family Search and Engagement Specialist provides intensive, short-term services to identify, locate, notify, and engage safe, appropriate relatives and kin for youth in foster care. Using family search and engagement practices modeled after 30 Days to Family®, this role supports compliance with the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Senate Bill 683, and applicable Missouri statutes, and contributes to family search and engagement efforts across multiple agency programs.

Family Search and Engagement Specialists provide services across various programs within the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, including Family Connections, Extreme Recruitment®, and Older Youth Readiness. Upon case assignment, the Specialist immediately identifies and engages non-offending parents and grandparents, then conducts a comprehensive search to locate, contact, and assess up to 80 additional maternal and paternal relatives.

The goal is to build a strong network of potential placement options and supportive connections, recognizing that foster care placements can be fragile. Efforts focus on maintaining sibling connections, preserving the youth’s school of origin, and supporting meaningful relationships with friends and other supportive adults.

Once a placement resource is identified, the Specialist supports stability, based on program expectations, by assessing needs, connecting families to resources, addressing barriers, and developing support plans that include both formal and informal supports.

This position requires strong engagement skills, persistence, and the ability to navigate complex family dynamics. Services are delivered flexibly, including occasional evening and weekend hours (approximately 10%).

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Family Engagement and Support
- Demonstrates a commitment to core program philosophies:
  - Youth belong with family.
  - Family takes care of family.
  - All families have capable members.
  - Families are experts on themselves.
  - Relatives have a right to know family exists.
  - Everyone has something to contribute.
- Collects information from relatives/kin to expand the youth’s support system and identify placement options.
- Visits with the youth and family in-home or in the community to address placement stability.
Family Finding and Diligent Search
- Identifies and documents a minimum of 80 relatives/kin for each youth.
- Conducts diligent search activities: internet/database searches, case file reviews, and interviews.
Documentation and Case Management
- Facilitates communication with referring agencies and provides family documentation (e.g., genograms, contact information).
- Submits activity notes and billing documentation in accordance with funding requirements.
- Maintains accurate client files and records.
- Completes assessments at referral and closure to evaluate outcomes.
Licensing and Placement Preparation
- Assists in preparing families for licensure.
- Provides additional community resources for relative resource providers to ensure placement stability.
Program Compliance and Court Involvement
- Assists case managers and court officials with compliance (Fostering Connections to Success Act, Missouri statutes, and policies).
- Participates in court hearings, internal/external meetings, and professional consultations.
Data Management and Reporting
- Uses software to track program outcomes (e.g., Salesforce, Genopro).
- Completes billing sheets and daily activity logs accurately and on time.
Team Collaboration and Professional Development
- Responds to supervision, coaching, and feedback.
- Works effectively in a team setting.
- Participates in training and development.

Key Responsibilities:

Maintains professionalism in all interactions with families and professionals.
Respects and effectively engages with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Responds to communication in a respectful and timely manner.

Meets all outcome expectations for Family Connections cases, as well as all family-finding requirements for both the Extreme Recruitment® and Older Youth Readiness programs.

Willing to learn and use relevant software tools (Genopro, Salesforce).

Travels within the designated service area: St. Louis City, St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, and Franklin counties.

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