Adoption Recruiter - Wendy's Wonderful Kids

What you will do?

The Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter connects youth who wait for permanent homes with families who wish to adopt by implementing and coordinating effective recruitment, matching and support services for a caseload of 12-15 youth in active recruitment status. The recruiter uses the evidence-based child-focused recruitment model to identify legally permanent resources for youth in the county's permanent custody or APPLA status who are over the age of nine, have special needs, and/or are part of a sibling group.  Specific duties include:

• Work in partnership with agency staff to identify youth for referrals to the program.
• Review the case record, interview the youth, caseworker, other agency staff with knowledge of the case and any available family members and/or any other supportive connections to assist in the recruitment process.
• Utilize the internet search tools to identify and locate resources within the youth's network.
• Develop an initial written adoption readiness assessment describing the youth's understanding and feelings about adoption.
• Create a child-focused recruitment plan for the youth. 
• Meet with the youth on a monthly basis.
• Communicate with the caseworker on a monthly basis to review the progress of the recruitment plan.
• Meet with family members and supportive connections to discuss the progress of locating permanent resources for the youth.
• Once matched, work with the caseworker, youth and the adoptive resource to ensure preplacement visits are implemented.
• Assist with the development and coordination of the transition plan with the youth and matched family. Work with the youth and family during the transition process to assist with placement support.
• Work in conjunction with the caseworker to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization.
• Attend educational opportunities provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption including, but not limited to: WWK classroom training, online modules, database training, webinars, and the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Summit hosted by the Foundation
• Submit monthly data in the WWK database.
• Exhibits expertise in providing family support/excellent customer service.
• Travel with flexibility to provide services evenings and weekends.

What you need:

You will need a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field plus two years post graduate experience; MSW preferred.  Relevant experience in child welfare including knowledge of issues surrounding foster care, adoption, trauma, medical and developmental needs and the importance of legal permanency are recommended, as well as familiarity with state child welfare rules and procedures and the juvenile and/or probate court systems.