WRAP - Family Finder and Engagement Specialist

Description

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran 

congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They 

began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together 

with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. 

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) 

non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a 

servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout 

Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We 

are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with 

dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love 

by embracing, equipping and empowering vulnerable people in Southern California.

Position Summary:

The Family Finder and Engagement Specialist uses a set of resolute practices designed to locate, 

engage, connect, and reconnect youth with family or persons the youth has identified as being 

significantly important to them at one point in their life. They research and connect children with 

their families to develop a sense of belonging and increase positive outcomes for lifelong 

connections.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1.   Effectively utilize search tools and connection strategies to find and engage relative/kin as 

positive connection/permanency resources for clients who have already had a termination of parental 

rights.

2.   Identify and contact as many relatives/kin as possible and strategically document so that it 

is easily accessible and understandable to the youth workers that will do the ongoing permanency 

work.

3.   Discuss Family Finding Services with the referred client/family at Client Family Team Meetings 

(CFTM).

4.   Obtain the legal guardian’s signature on either the Consent to Participate in Family Finding 

form or the Decline to Participate in Family Finding form.

5.   Meet with the client/family to identify potential family members with whom the client/family 

would like to reestablish contact.

6.   Coordinate the family finding process with the client’s Social Worker (SW), 

Probation Officer (PO), and the team’s facilitator.

7.   Collaborate with the SW, PO, and the team facilitator to process the status of efforts to 

contact selected family members with the client/family and give contact information as appropriate.

8.   Represent LSS at Team Decision Making Meetings (TDM) hosted by Children and Family Services 

and at other community functions when requested.

9.   Travel as needed to meet the contract’s requirements, including out-of-state travel.

10. Participate in CFT meetings in facilitating a team decision regarding contacting, visiting, or 

other communication between client/family and found family members as appropriate and approved by 

the client’s SW/PO.

11. Utilize the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to ensure all required documentation is entered 

accurately and on time. Be able to chart independently by 90 days after hire.

12. Identify placement permanency resources for each case, working alongside the youth’s permanency 

team.

13. Work a flexible schedule, with the ability to offer In-Person Services to clients during the 

evening, weekend, and holiday hours out in the field or at the client’s residence.

14. Use the On-Call schedule for the program, be available to address the regular and emergency 

needs of the clients, including emergency response availability, call back staff, and offer support 

for in- person crisis response during and after normal working hours.

15. Maintain a clean and organized work environment.

16. Meet all requirements and regulations delineated in the Employee Handbook.

17. Provide other services designated by and only with prior approval of the Clinic Director.

18. Advocate for the program by providing outreach to family members and the community.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems promptly; Gathers and