About the role
Position: Kinship Specialist Comparable DFPS Position: Kinship Specialist Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt Reports to: Kinship 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 Kinship Specialist provides support, engagement, assessment, and resource coordination services to relatives and fictive kin caring for children involved in the child welfare system. Utilizing a strengths-based approach, the Kinship Specialist helps caregivers identify their strengths, build supportive networks, overcome barriers, and create stable, nurturing environments that promote child safety, permanency, well-being, and lifelong family connections. The Kinship Specialist collaborates with children, caregivers, families, other TTG staff, providers, schools, and community partners to preserve family relationships, strengthen placement stability, and support positive outcomes for children and youth. This position recognizes the critical role relatives and fictive kin play in helping children maintain their identity, culture, sense of belonging, and hope for the future.
Primary Responsibilities: * Identifies, engages, and supports relatives and fictive kin as potential placement and permanency resources for children and youth. * Builds trusting relationships with kinship caregivers through respectful, family-centered, and strengths-based engagement. * Assesses caregiver strengths, needs, barriers, and available support to promote placement stability and positive outcomes for children and youth * Provides information regarding financial assistance, benefits, community resources, and available support services for kinship caregivers. * Assists caregivers in developing plans that strengthen stability, safety, permanency, and family well-being. * Collaborates with children, families, caregivers, caseworkers, providers, schools, and community organizations to coordinate services and address identified needs. * Supports kinship caregivers in navigating child welfare processes, accessing resources, and understanding available services. * Encourages caregiver participation in case planning, permanency planning, family group conferences, and other decision-making activities that impact children and youth. * Promotes and supports family connections, sibling relationships, cultural identity, and lifelong supportive relationships whenever appropriate. * Connects caregivers with community-based supports, educational resources, training opportunities, support groups, and services that strengthen caregiver capacity. * Assists in identifying and addressing barriers impacting placement stability, caregiver well-being, and child permanency outcomes. * Participates in staffing, permanency planning meetings, multidisciplinary meetings, and other collaborative activities as needed. * Maintains accurate and timely documentation of contacts, assessments, referrals, services, and outcomes. * Monitors referrals and follows up on service recommendations to ensure caregivers receive needed support. * Maintains confidentiality and safeguards sensitive client information in accordance with agency policy and applicable regulations.
Required Qualifications: * Bachelor’s degree required. Relevant experience considered in lieu of education requirement. * Minimum two (2) years’ experience in child welfare, foster care, kinship care, family preservation, family support services, case management, or a related human services field.
Preferred Qualifications: * Experience working directly with children, families, caregivers, and community resources. * Experience supporting relatives or kinship caregivers.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Knowledge of kinship care practices, child welfare principles, and permanency planning. * Knowledge of family systems, child development, trauma, attachment, and resilience. * Knowledge of community resources, benefits, and support services available to kinship caregivers and families. * Knowledge of family-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and hope-centered practices. * Willingness to learn the Science of Hope and its application to family engagement and caregiver support. * Skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships with caregivers, children, families, providers, and community partners; skill in assessment, interviewing, problem-solving, and resource coordination. * Skill in verbal and written communication. * Ability to engage families and caregivers in identifying goals, strengths, barriers, and pathways to success. * Ability to coordinate services and advocate for resources that promote child and family well-being. * Ability to gather, organize, and analyze information to support service planning and decision-making. * Ability to maintain timely, accurate, and thorough documentation. * Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. * Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment * Proficiency with Microsoft Office, IMPACT, and electronic case management systems.
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 during standard business hours. * Travel: Frequent - Regular travel across Harris County and the 12- county service region. Reliable transportation required.