Adoptions Social Worker

Aviva Family and Children’s Services Mission Statement

Aviva believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at-risk children and families.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Foster and Adoption, the Adoption Social Worker is responsible for a caseload of children and their families. Primary duties include conducting initial assessments and placements for children. The Adoption Social Worker also provides ongoing training, evaluation and monitoring of foster and adoptive parents. He or she is responsible for completing all paperwork in accordance with County and agency regulations.

Essential Functions

o Provide case management and coordination of services as required by contract and Title XXII and ILS Version 7 regulations for safety and health.

o Participate in recruitment of foster parents and provide orientation and training to applicants.

o Complete and regularly update case related documentation, quarterly treatment plans, Parent Child Suitability studies discharge summaries, initial quarterly and termination reports and files of foster parents and children in specified time frames as required.

o Provide support to foster parents as well as enforcement of safety and health per Title XXII regulations.

o Facilitate and attend adoption signings

o Coordinate office duty and after hours duty coverage for emergencies as scheduled.

o Assess referrals for appropriateness of placement

o Provide initial and on-going training, evaluation and monitoring of foster and adoptive families

o Responsible for intake assessments and placements of children

o Interface with agency staff to complement the client’s therapeutic milieu experience

o Provide appropriate discharge and after care planning

o Maintain contact with outside agencies and their representatives

o Attend staff meetings, trainings, conferences and relevant informational meetings

o Provide resources for services of placed children with Aviva

o Conduct visitation with the placed child per contractual agreements with DCFS and Title XXII for both FFA and Adoptions

o Complete Suspected Child Abuse Reports (SCARs)

o Available after hours depending on visitation requirements and/or emotional and behavioral needs of the foster child

o Sensitive and responsive to the cultural differences among the agency’s client population

o Actively participate in a quality improvement project

The Adoptions Social Worker will take on special projects or additional duties as assigned by the Director of Foster and Adoption.

Qualifications

Competency Requirements

-Ability to speak, read, write and understand English

-Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team

-Ability to efficiently coordinate and complete field and office tasks

-Ability to utilize supervision and consultation constructively

-Knowledge of Child Abuse and Special Incident Reporting Guidelines and follow-up actions as required by law and contract

-Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions preferred

-Must demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skills

-Must demonstrate time management skills

-Must have excellent oral and written communication skills

-Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Education and Experience

-Master’s degree in Social Work

-Minimum 1 year of post graduate experience working with severely emotionally disturbed youth or youth with severe behaviors

Certifications/Licenses

-Valid CA driver’s license

Additional Requirements

-Tuberculosis clearance

-Department of Justice/Fingerprint clearance

-Satisfactory completion of health screening

-Proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States

-Satisfactory driving record

Delegates Authority To

N/A

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of a Adoption Social Worker, the employee is frequently required to drive, sit, stand, walk and use his/her fingers to manipulate a keyboard or writing instrument. The employee is occasionally required to reach. The employee is rarely required to run, bend or lift objects weighing more than 30 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment is indoors and outdoors. The noise level varies from quiet to moderate.

This Job Description has been developed to identify some of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to limit or encompass all duties and responsibilities of the position.

Aviva Family and Children's Services at its sole and absolute discretion, expressly reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or augment the duties and responsibilities specified in this and all job descriptions.