Provides essential paraprofessional services for the Kinship Program Team in support of clients and professional social caseworkers. Performs a variety of support functions that require the use of judgment and discretion, decision-making, and independence of action. Work performed requires extensive program, case, and client related knowledge and also requires frequent in-depth interaction with children and families, workers, and collateral contacts to include resource agencies, schools, law enforcement, and other individuals and organizations directly and non-directly related to the services provided.

Note: This is a time limited, project-designated position for 36 hours per week. Funding for this position is subject to the availability of grant funds.

• Direct and timely communication with caseworkers to coordinate all things necessary to meet the needs of kinship families that help to stabilize the children in their care.
• Conduct extensive and thorough background checks as required by Volume 7 Rule and/or per county practice for kinship caregivers and members of their household to support caseworkers and ensure safe placements for children. Complete comprehensive Kinship Background Check (KBC) reports within 7-14 days or assignment or as requested by Supervisor.
• Make purchases with a county issued purchase card as needed for kinship families and ensure all purchasing requirements are completed timely and accurately. Pick up and deliver items when requested.
• Provide necessary coverage for emergency background check/NCIC requests. This will include extensive research and communication with caseworkers and supervisors to share needed information that will assist in their placement decision making.
• Coordination of fingerprinting with state vendors for caregivers and other adults in the kinship home and ensure compliance with state regulation.
• Assist case-carrying caseworkers to provide outreach and support to kinship families when needed and requested. Complete any needed referrals.
• Support case-carrying caseworkers to locate, coordinate, and access needed services, supports, transportation, tangible items for kinship families and for children placed in kinship care to ensure the stabilization of placement. This will include meeting with caregivers and family members in person to assist them with the completion of all paperwork needed or required for kinship care and foster care certification.
• Communicate and meet with kinship families as requested/needed at their homes, in the community, at FTM's, etc.
• Participate in and support activities with community partners that focus on kinship awareness, resources, trainings, support groups, etc. Assist in and serve as a liaison in all activities to locate, obtain, apply for and access resources for families.
• Make purchases with a county issued purchase card as needed for kinship families and ensure

• Provide documentation and routine data entry in TRAILS and other databases. (MANGO, BINTI, etc.).
• Participate in all Kinship Team programs and services as needed to support the ongoing needs of the kinship families in our community.
• Assist with Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs and data entry collection.
• Actively participate in learning, educational and growth opportunities.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as requested.

• Coordinating meeting times with parents/foster parents and staff
• Arranging for a Facilitator if needed
• Ensuring adequate space availability for meeting
• Arranging for room set up
• Prepare family members and service providers for the Icebreaker to include explaining the process, purpose and focus of the meeting
• Assisting in addressing concerns prior to the conference
• May diffuse angry, upset, or hostile clients
• Facilitating discussion between parties while keeping the focus on children
• May be needed to ask questions around the family's cultural needs/belief system
• Facilitate the meeting as an impartial person
• Write reports from a strengths-based perspective, respond diplomatically, and listen attentively; facilitate discussion
• Ensure thorough and timely data entry into referral system

• Knowledge of community resources to provide families with referrals as needed. Ability to do ongoing research to locate additional resources in the community and active participation in the development of a resource guide
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Strong active listening skills
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Ability to communicate information and ideas verbally and in written in a manner that fosters clarity and understanding
• Skilled in negotiation and able to work towards resolution of differences in an objective manner
• Ability to diffuse angry, upset and or hostile clients and contentious situations
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Ability to set priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities
• Ability to ensure and incorporate the cultural needs and practices of the family into all aspects of your work.
• Skilled in use of Microsoft Office Products such as Word, Power Point, Excel, and Publisher to prepare reports and other products along with knowledge, ability to learn, and actively utilize other computer programs and databases which include but are not limited to Trails, MANGO, Lexis Nexis, Internet Search engines, Salesforce, etc. (Use of programs for research and data entry is actively required.)
• Familiarity with and knowledge of State regulations as they pertain to child welfare and child protection as well as the Colorado Children's Code, State Department of Human Services Manual-Volume VII, Agency Policies and Procedures and Agency/County/State letters, County Policy, etc.
• Ability to work in potentially unsafe situations, effectively manage stress, utilize active listening skills, process/analyze/interpret large amounts of data and family history, problem solve, and de escalate angry/upset clientele
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to organize and manage time effectively.
• Always interact professionally and appropriately with agency staff and all outside organizations/programs/agencies
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Utilize your personal vehicle when necessary to get to many appointments in the community and surrounding areas of Colorado
• Knowledge of and adherence to the Adams County norms and values.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Click here to watch our video about why Adams County is an Employer of Choice!

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave (pro-rated)
• Long-Term Disability
• Short-Term Disability

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs