Reunification Support Specialist, Achieving Reunification Center

Posted by Achieving Reunification Center on April 3, 2017

Opening Date: Tue, 03/21/2017

The Achieving Reunification Center (ARC) is a program of Department of Human Services (DHS) and a program partner of The Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC). First of its kind, ARC is a one-stop program to help parents expedite reunification and permanency with their children in out-of-home placement. ARC recognizes that many families in the child welfare system are also involved with other service systems with competing mandates and timelines. The competing mandates many times, make it difficult for parents/caregivers to achieve reunification within the required time periods under the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). For this purpose ARC was created as a one-stop program. ARC was developed in collaboration with Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation (PWDC) and the support of the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) to bring systems together to help parents with children in placement through DHS achieve positive outcomes. Through ARC, parents/caregivers are provided concrete individualized support including information and training on quality and safe housing, employment with benefits and wage growth opportunities, continued education, and a host of other practical daily living requirements.

Position Summary:
This position monitors and reports on the status and performance of the Reunification Support Specialist (RSS) for the Achieving Reunification Center. It functions to ensure that the RSS Staff comply with the Achieving Reunification Center’s operation guidelines, CUA Single Case Plans. The Reunification Support Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring the coordination of delivery of comprehensive services for all enrolled ARC parent/caregivers (P/Cs), builds relationships with DHS Liaisons, CUA Social Workers and Supervisors, and ARC service providers to maintain program-specific resource networks to address and resolve parent/caregiver (P/C) program needs.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Reunification Support Specialist Unit Supervision and Monitoring: Responsible for the direct supervision and evaluation of the Reunification Support Specialist (RSS) day-to-day work activity. Monitor RSS activity via bi-weekly supervision, case narratives, court status reports, and data reports, etc.
2. Reunification Support Data Management and Reporting: Responsible for overall management of RSS file collection and maintenance, updating, and posting of data contained in the case files of P/Cs into ARCs database tracking system (P/C calendars, mutli-disciplinary team meeting forums, client surveys, closed and court status reports) on a weekly basis. Assists ARC Director and ARC General Supervisor with compiling reports on status of P/C enrollment, outreach, closed and reunifications; RSS Unit, achievements, challenges, etc. Informs ARC Director and General Supervisor of all inconsistencies, and or inaccuracies regarding delivery of services facilitated by the RSS Staff in a sufficient time-period.
3. RSS Unit Administration: Documents referral applications and disseminates applications to Reunification Support Specialist (RSS). Coordinates meetings/trainings for RSS Staff with other Reunification Support Coordinator for all ARC referrals. Assists ARC Director and General Supervisor in investigating, providing guidance and resolving any issues arising from onsite service providers, parent/caregivers, and/or referral agencies through the delivery of the ARC services.
4. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Functions:

• Frequently interacts with DHS/CUA Staff and ARC Service Provider Staff to support P/C marketing, outreach, engagement and retention.
• May be called to upon to do presentations highlighting the work of the Reunification Support Specialist, and key services at ARC.
• Demonstrates flexibility around time-sensitive needs and issues of participants (i.e. participating in onsite ARC events, workshops, etc.).
• Must be willing to travel to attend job-related events and conferences.

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Masters Degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in Psychology, Human Services, Social Work, or a related field. Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in the delivery of case management services for child welfare and welfare-to-work programs. Knowledge of CUA/DHS and PA Child Welfare System preferred.
• Must be proficient in and familiar with the Microsoft Office Program with proficiency in Excel data base program and the Power Point presentation software.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, exercising judgment and initiative. Must be a detailed-oriented, resourceful professional with excellent oral and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Must provide child abuse, finger printing, and criminal history background check.

http://uac.org/jobs/reunification-support-coordinator