Child and Family Services Specialist-Family Finding
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$21.355

Job Posting:
JR2024-00011361 Child and Family Services Specialist-Family Finding (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
12-02-2024

Job Description:
Family Finding specialist work independently under the direct supervision of their assigned supervisor to assist the CFSS and placement team with following federal guidelines under the "Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008". The Family Finding specialist role will be one of support to the CFSS Team to assure that every child is able to maintains connections to their family and community while obtaining safety and stability.

The goal of family finding is to ensure that every youth whose life is touch by Child Protective Services either through the court or non-court services can maintain a relationship with their family and/or community while being served by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Family Finding is a fast-paced position that is utilized immediately upon a child's life being touched by NE DHHS. Services provided are fast paced and multitasking is a must to successfully complete the task assigned.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

1.Identify family and kinship supports for every child served this is done through a variety of services to include, genograms, file mining and mobility mapping to name a few.
2.Maintain professional communication with both internal employees and members of the community.
3.Must have the knowledge to access and utilize online search engines and sights both private and public to conduct searches for family members and community members.
4.Family Finding will assist in creating genograms using Genopro for every non-court and court involved family and upload the genograms into document imaging.
5.Locate and engage family/kinship that are able and willing to help support the parent and/or child through various means.
6.Complete background checks when requested.
7.Must be able to document information in a variety of areas to include entering relative notices and relationships into the state database system NFocus.
8.Be willing and able to go into the community to meet with people to complete walk throughs and placement packets for relative/kinship homes for emergency situations.
9.Maintain organization to assist in managing the Family Finding email:
10.Family Finding can assist in locating suitable safety plan participants if a safety plan can be utilized to prevent a removal.
11.Send court notices on NFocus for any new removal.
12.Assist with locating non-custodial parents.
13.Assist with ICPCS when needed for relative placements to include out of state background checks, ICPC paperwork, etc.
14.Complete mobility mapping with youth when age appropriate and when requested.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice, or other related fields. Consideration will be given to applicants who are enrolled in the final semester of their Bachelor's degree. Promotion to a Child and Family Services Specialist is contingent on successfully completing degree requirements and required training.

Preferred: Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice and/or case management experience, internships with human services/child welfare agencies will also be considered.

Other: Valid Driver's license is required

Knowledge of: the principles and practices of social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health, education, criminal justice or related area of the applied social/behavioral sciences; the principles and processes of direct case management; family life issues and dynamics; community services; child adolescent and adult behavior; and basic understanding of juvenile delinquent behavior and vulnerable adult issues.

Skill in: interviewing customers to collect and elicit essential information and assess customer needs and progress; openly and honestly discussing concerns with others in a non-judgmental way; using a keyboard.

Ability to: learn the importance of commitment to individuals and families; learn the importance of families/individuals having normal life experiences that are consistent with age, gender, culture and community setting; learn the value and importance of families/individuals having the right and ability to make decisions; protect confidential information; communicate electronically, on paper or in person with customers, co-workers, supervisors and staff to exchange case information and assessments; listen to and understand communication; work effectively with community service providers, law enforcement, the court and legal systems and vulnerable adults' families and/or advocates; organize and maintain case records; learn and apply the principles and practices of direct case management including assessment, analyzing critical information, plan development and implementation in setting up individual case/treatment plans; treat people with dignity and respect regardless of behavior; respond flexibly and adapt to new or changing circumstances; manage time and workflow to work independently and meet deadlines; exhibit a sense of fairness; be available to children, families and vulnerable adults through regular and predictable work attendance; demonstrate professionalism and operate basic computer software and hardware.


Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.