About this role
SUMMARY:
The Birth Parent Post Adoption Specialist will serve a key role in Gladneys Beyond Placement program, a structured post-adoption support model funded through the federal ANCHOR initiative. This position is responsible for providing dedicated, ongoing post-adoption support to birth parents who have voluntarily placed a child for private domestic adoption. This role delivers individualized and group-based services — including professionally facilitated support groups, resource navigation, peer connection, crisis intervention, clinical consultation, and follow-up support — to promote birth parents' healthy grief processing, adjustment, and long-term well-being after placement.
This position plays a lead role in designing, delivering, and helping evaluate Gladney's structured birth parent support program, including contributing to program evaluation, data collection, and the development of materials that document and share program outcomes with the broader adoption and child welfare community. The Specialist ensures timely documentation, maintains compliance with the Texas Family Code, collaborates with legal and program staff, and serves as a clinical and programmatic resource on birth parent post-adoption needs.
This is a grant-funded position supported by a federal cooperative agreement under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) ANCHOR Initiative.
- Project Period: September 1, 2026 – September 29, 2028
- Funding Source: Federal grant (HHS/ACF)
- Employment Duration: Position is tied to the duration of the grant and will end at the conclusion of the project period (9/29/2028), unless funding is renewed or extended
- Continuation: There is no guarantee of continued employment beyond the project period; however, internal transfer opportunities may be available based on organizational need at that time
- Employment Type: At-will
JOB DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Direct Support & Services
- Maintain ongoing availability and support for birth parents and their families seeking post-adoption services.
- Ensure timely and appropriate responses to service requests through phone, email, or other communication channels.
- Provide crisis support and intervention as needed.
- Develop rapport with birth parent clients and offer counseling, intervention, and consultation services.
- Assess client and family functioning, including evaluation of risk and protective factors related to grief, loss, and post-placement adjustment.
- Provide direct access to, or facilitated referrals for, individual counseling with qualified mental health professionals experienced in adoption and post-placement issues.
- Conduct follow-up with birth parents who have received services to determine ongoing needs or confirm resolution.
Support Group Facilitation & Peer Connection
- Design and facilitate professionally led birth parent support groups in a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment.
- Offer support groups through multiple modalities (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) to ensure accessibility for birth parents across geographic locations and schedules.
- Develop and maintain a curriculum or framework for support groups addressing common themes such as grief and loss, identity, relationships with adoptive families, and navigating post-adoption milestones.
- Establish and maintain a system for connecting birth parents with peer mentors who have shared lived experience, where appropriate and desired by participants.
Resource Navigation & Outreach
- Identify, curate, and share appropriate community and agency resources (e.g., books, websites, podcasts, and community services) tailored to birth parents' experiences and needs.
- Conduct sensitive and targeted outreach, potentially in partnership with adoption agencies, attorneys, and other professionals, to identify and enroll eligible birth parents in services.
- Develop materials that clearly and respectfully communicate the purpose and availability of birth parent support services.
- Support post-adoption family training, outreach, and social networking events through media engagement and in-person involvement.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community-based referral sources for birth parent support services.
Program Evaluation & Data
- Support program evaluation activities, including collection of data on program implementation, participation, and outcomes.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation of all birth parent post-adoption contacts and services using designated systems (e.g., SUGAR).
- Track process measures (e.g., number of birth parents served, number and frequency of support groups, attendance and retention) and outcome measures (e.g., participant well-being, satisfaction, and adjustment) as directed.
- Contribute programmatic and clinical insight to the development of a replicable, manualized program model, including sample curricula, facilitator qualifications, and lessons learned on implementation.
- Assist with preparing performance summaries, reports, and materials for dissemination to internal leadership, funders, and the broader adoption and child welfare community.
Compliance & Collaboration
- Oversee compliance with Texas Family Code Sections 162.006, 162.018, and 162.022 regarding post-adoption services and records access.
- Facilitate the release of records to individuals legally entitled to receive them.
- Attend all relevant meetings, including staff, departmental, legal, and impromptu discussions related to birth parent post-adoption services.
- Provide clinical insight, consultation, and support to staff regarding birth parent cases from a post-adoption perspective.
- Collaborate with in-house legal counsel on matters requiring legal clarification or presenting potential legal implications.
- Safeguard protected personally identifiable and other sensitive client information in accordance with applicable federal, state, and organizational privacy requirements.
- Participate in agency-led seminars, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
- Ensure completion of at least 20 hours of annual training in accordance with licensing standards.
- Perform other duties and special projects assigned to support organizational objectives and enhance operational efficiency.
Qualifications
JOB DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Direct Support & Services
- Maintain ongoing availability and support for birth parents and their families seeking post-adoption services.
- Ensure timely and appropriate responses to service requests through phone, email, or other communication channels.
- Provide crisis support and intervention as needed.
- Develop rapport with birth parent clients and offer counseling, intervention, and consultation services.
- Assess client and family functioning, including evaluation of risk and protective factors related to grief, loss, and post-placement adjustment.
- Provide direct access to, or facilitated referrals for, individual counseling with qualified mental health professionals experienced in adoption and post-placement issues.
- Conduct follow-up with birth parents who have received services to determine ongoing needs or confirm resolution.
Support Group Facilitation & Peer Connection
- Design and facilitate professionally led birth parent support groups in a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment.
- Offer support groups through multiple modalities (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) to ensure accessibility for birth parents across geographic locations and schedules.
- Develop and maintain a curriculum or framework for support groups addressing common themes such as grief and loss, identity, relationships with adoptive families, and navigating post-adoption milestones.
- Establish and maintain a system for connecting birth parents with peer mentors who have shared lived experience, where appropriate and desired by participants.
Resource Navigation & Outreach
- Identify, curate, and share appropriate community and agency resources (e.g., books, websites, podcasts, and community services) tailored to birth parents' experiences and needs.
- Conduct sensitive and targeted outreach, potentially in partnership with adoption agencies, attorneys, and other professionals, to identify and enroll eligible birth parents in services.
- Develop materials that clearly and respectfully communicate the purpose and availability of birth parent support services.
- Support post-adoption family training, outreach, and social networking events through media engagement and in-person involvement.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community-based referral sources for birth parent support services.
Program Evaluation & Data
- Support program evaluation activities, including collection of data on program implementation, participation, and outcomes.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation of all birth parent post-adoption contacts and services using designated systems (e.g., SUGAR).
- Track process measures (e.g., number of birth parents served, number and frequency of support groups, attendance and retention) and outcome measures (e.g., participant well-being, satisfaction, and adjustment) as directed.
- Contribute programmatic and clinical insight to the development of a replicable, manualized program model, including sample curricula, facilitator qualifications, and lessons learned on implementation.
- Assist with preparing performance summaries, reports, and materials for dissemination to internal leadership, funders, and the broader adoption and child welfare community.
Compliance & Collaboration
- Oversee compliance with Texas Family Code Sections 162.006, 162.018, and 162.022 regarding post-adoption services and records access.
- Facilitate the release of records to individuals legally entitled to receive them.
- Attend all relevant meetings, including staff, departmental, legal, and impromptu discussions related to birth parent post-adoption services.
- Provide clinical insight, consultation, and support to staff regarding birth parent cases from a post-adoption perspective.
- Collaborate with in-house legal counsel on matters requiring legal clarification or presenting potential legal implications.
- Safeguard protected personally identifiable and other sensitive client information in accordance with applicable federal, state, and organizational privacy requirements.
- Participate in agency-led seminars, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
- Ensure completion of at least 20 hours of annual training in accordance with licensing standards.
- Perform other duties and special projects assigned to support organizational objectives and enhance operational efficiency.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field.
- Two years of professional experience in Social Work, with direct experience serving birth parents or individuals experiencing grief, loss, or significant life transitions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, and other digital platforms.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
- Detail-oriented, self-directed, and motivated with the capacity for continued learning and professional growth.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with strong interpersonal abilities and a trauma-informed approach.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining high standards of confidentiality, professionalism .
- Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to high-quality service delivery.
- Comfort facilitating support groups and public speaking to small groups.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Regular interaction with individuals experiencing emotional distress, requiring a calm and compassionate presence.
- Exposure to sensitive or traumatic information during counseling and case management.
- Frequent use of computer, phone, and other office equipment for documentation, virtual sessions, and communication.
- Must be able to manage a dynamic caseload and adjust to changing priorities and client needs.
- Operate primarily in a climate-controlled office environment with a fast-paced workflow, requiring the ability to shift between tasks, manage frequent interruptions, and meet time-sensitive deadlines efficiently.
- Regular, punctual attendance is essential for maintaining efficient service delivery.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during client sessions, meetings, and computer work.
- Must be able to drive for prolonged periods when conducting field visits or community outreach.
- Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds (e.g., case files, laptop, training materials).
- Requires sustained concentration and emotional resilience when working with clients experiencing grief, trauma, or crisis.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Prolonged periods of sitting while working at a desk and using a computer.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, data entry, and operating office equipment.
- Occasional lifting or carrying of office materials weighing up to approximately 15 pounds.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Gladney is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to these factors. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.