Adoption Resource Consultant

Job description

The Adoption Resource Consultant program reviews cases of children in the foster care system, under supervision of MDHHS, who have a permanency goal of adoption and have been legally ready for adoption for one year or longer without an identified adoptive resource. The program involves case reviews and development of individual adoption plans, intensive recruitment, technical assistance, and training on adoption recruitment, overcoming barriers to adoption, identifying and locating possible adoptive resources and other adoption related topics.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY
As an Adoption Resource Consultant, you will bring children and youth waiting to be adopted from foster care one step closer to safe, loving and permanent homes and achieving permanency. You will use a strength-based approach to inspire collaborative working relationships to achieve goals identified in individualized recruitment plans. At times, you will use your rapport and motivation skills to help all parties fully engage with the support offered. You will meet with the children and youth, as well as those who are significant in their lives and to achieving permanency around their schedules, so some days may begin when school starts, while other days may end around dinner time. You will adjust your work day and week accordingly. Participation in non-traditional working hours and travel provides you with the opportunity to provide immediate support to a child or youth, in order to make progress toward the goal of permanency.

YOUR GROWTH
Orchards Children’s Services supports your success at each step. We ensure manageable caseloads to enable you as an Adoption Resource Consultant to have a deeper and more creative engagement with those you serve. We provide ongoing training and career development opportunities that include, but are not limited to trauma training and training through the Dave Thomas Foundation on the child focused recruitment model. In addition, you will engage in individual face-to-face supervision, as well as supportive group engagement with your team members.

As a Child Welfare Agency, Orchards Children’s Services provides endless opportunities for social workers to build a long and varied career path. If you have the desire to gain additional skills, you could grow into supervisory or program management roles. And there is plenty of room for advancement, both in the county and, because Orchards Children’s Services engages with children and families throughout the State of Michigan.

YOUR REWARDS
Orchards Children’s Services offers a fair market rate salary, an exceptional team-based environment, and a benefits package that includes employer-paid healthcare, dental, and vision. Orchards Children’s Services provides the opportunity to make an important difference in your community.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
The Adoption Resource Consultant (ARC) must have bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in social work or a related field, with previous child welfare experience and demonstrated expertise in developing permanent life-long connections for children in foster care. A preference will be given to those with experience and expertise in the adoption process and the recruitment of adoptive parents.

OUR MISSION
Orchards Children’s Services leads Michigan’s efforts in keeping children and youth safe by strengthening families, preventing child abuse, neglect and exploitation, mitigating the harmful long term effects of childhood abuse/neglect, and promoting child and family well-being that is sustained over time. This is accomplished through the delivery of services by our Community Based, Family Preservation, Foster Care, and Adoption program staff. Adhering to our mission to “Strengthen the community through quality services to children and families”, ensures that we are building on the strength and resiliency of families and communities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,600 – $37,000 per year