Adoption Preparation Specialist

Position:                                         Adoption Prepration Specialist
Comparable DFPS Position:         CVS Adoption Preparation Specialist I-IV
Classification:                                Full-time, Non-exempt
Reports to:                                     Adoption Preparation Supervisor       
Company:                                       Texans Together             
Location:                                         Regions 6a and/or 6b (Specific work locations will be assigned and                                                            communicated as staffing plans are finalized)
Position Description:
The Adoption Preparation Specialist supports children in achieving safe, stable, and permanent adoptive placements. The position is legally responsible for the welfare and well-being of children in state conservatorship under Texans Together’s supervision and monitors their progress while in care. The Specialist works closely with children, prospective adoptive families, child-placing agencies, legal parties, and other stakeholders to prepare children and families for permanency, including addressing separation, attachment, and transition needs. The position may also participate in abuse and neglect investigations involving foster and adoptive families.

Primary Responsibilities:
- Assess a child's readiness for adoption.; helps children understand what adoption means in an age-appropriate manner.
- Assist children in processing grief, loss, trauma, separation, and attachment issues related to their family and placement experiences.
- Identify the child's strengths, needs, preferences, and permanency goals.
- Develop adoption-related information to support matching activities.
- Provide permanency planning and recruitment activities for children on their caseload
- Actively seek adoptive placements and relatives that best meet a child's individual needs.
- Support planning efforts to achieve safe, stable, and lasting permanency.
- Participate in selection staffing and placement decision-making processes.
- Facilitate the transition of children into adoptive homes.
- Monitor placement progress and addresses concerns that may impact permanency.
- Support children and families dealing with attachment and separation issues.
- Provide guidance to foster and adoptive families throughout the adoption process.
- Help caregivers understand the child's history, needs, and services.
- Promote lifelong connections and supportive relationships for children.
- Complete the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) report.
- Review child records and gathers information from caregivers, educators, medical providers, and mental health professionals.
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation.
- Prepare reports and testimony for court with recommendations related to adoption planning, well-being and placement decisions.
- Work closely with supervisors, caregivers, attorneys, CASA volunteers, service providers, and community stakeholders.
- Coordinate services necessary to meet the child's emotional, educational, medical, and permanency needs.
- Participate in staffing, case consultations, and permanency planning meetings.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Relevant experience considered in lieu of education requirement.
- Experience providing permanency case management for children in Permanency Managing Conservatorship (PMC). 
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum two (2) years’ experience working within human services required; adoption casework experience.
- Experience supporting children and youth through the adoption process, including older youth preparing for adoption.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of child welfare, adoption, permanency, and casework practices.
- Knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations related to child placement, abuse, and neglect.
- Skill in preparing children and youth for adoption and permanent placement.
- Skill in assessing child and family needs to support appropriate placement decisions.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships.
- Skill in case management, documentation, and report writing.
- Ability to support children and prospective adoptive families through separation, attachment, and placement transitions.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and apply information to case planning and decision-making.
- Ability to manage a caseload and meet required deadlines.
- Ability to understand how race, poverty, and access to services may affect outcomes for children and families.
- Ability to travel locally, regionally, and out of state as needed.
Work Conditions:
- Environment: Office-based
- Conditions: Frequent interaction with children, families, stakeholders, providers, and governmental agencies. Work may involve emotionally challenging, crisis-oriented, or high-stress situations.
- Work Schedule: Mon – Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening, weekend, and after-hours responsibilities may be necessary to meet operational needs.
- Travel: Frequent – Travel across Harris County and the 12-county service region. Reliable transportation required.

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.