Adoption Social Worker

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Assesses a family's capability and readiness to parent an adopted child by facilitating pre-home study meetings as needed, reviewing and evaluating agency-requested documentation, gauging the family’s understanding and views on adoption, instructing adoption education courses where applicable, and performing psycho-social evaluations of family members.

• Enhances the provision of quality adoption services by creating adoption home studies and post-placement reports that adhere to established guidelines and fulfill current agency, state, national, and USCIS standards.

• Offers support and case management for all assigned families by maintaining quarterly contacts throughout the process, conveying information to the family, referring them to suitable community support systems when necessary, and documenting all communications in Holt’s database.

• Prepares families for travel and aids in post-placement adjustment by delivering training and identifying resources to meet the child's needs and assist with the child's integration into the family.

• Conducts home visits as mandated by state laws and country program guidelines, aiding in the early detection of potential issues, and evaluating the stability and suitability of the placement.

• Ensures the child's physical and emotional well-being and facilitates the family's adjustment by providing counseling to both the child and the family and/or coordinating counseling with an outside clinician if necessary.

• In the event of an adoption disruption or dissolution, maintains a relationship with the family to ensure a transition plan is devised that accommodates the child's needs.

• Aids the child and family during the transition of the child to a new placement.

• Promotes public awareness of Holt and supports Holt initiatives by engaging in activities organized by Holt such as picnics or parent groups, representing Holt at adoption meetings, coalitions, and organizations, and participating in other outreach efforts as appropriate.

• Keeps professional knowledge up-to-date by attending relevant seminars and courses, staying informed about state regulations, legislation, adoption matters, and child-related issues internationally; maintaining licensure as required.

• Fosters a positive and productive work environment by adhering to attendance and punctuality standards, requesting time off with appropriate notice, treating all individuals with dignity and respect, and demonstrating effective listening and comprehension skills, including giving and receiving feedback.

• Contributes to team efforts by collaborating with Branch and Eugene offices and responding to all communications from those offices in a timely and respectful manner.

• Provides backup support to colleagues as necessary and assists the branch office in achieving its objectives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work is required or another Social Service Master’s degree with a minimum of 2 years of experience in adoption and/or foster care.

• Requires the application of clinical skills and knowledge to assess the suitability of an adoptive placement for a child and to determine whether that placement serves the child’s best interests.

• Must possess demonstrable clinical and assessment skills and experience in adoption services and processes.

• Ability to perform a psycho-social assessment.

• Knowledge of family and group dynamics as well as adoption practices.

• Excellent writing and computer proficiency.

• Cross-cultural sensitivity is essential.

• Required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of training every two years on current and emerging issues in adoption practice.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Supportive work environment that values teamwork and collaboration.