Post Foster & Adoption Permanency Specialist

Buckner Children and Family Services Community: Foster Care & Adoption Program Location: Dallas, TX - Onsite  Address: 5310 S Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75227 Job Schedule: Full-Time 

We are seeking a Post Foster & Adoption Permanency Specialist to join our Foster Care & Adoption Program. As a Post Foster & Adoption Permanency Specialist, you will Shine Hope and be responsible for the overall treatment of children with treatment service needs that include but are not limited to medically complex, intellectual developmental delays, autistic spectrum disorder, and mental health diagnosis. You will be responsible for assessing needs for these clients and to be aware of the services that a child is entitled to utilizing Medicaid, ADA, educational accommodations, kinship services and other community resources that are specific to higher acuity needs. You will also provide therapeutic services for Buckner Foster Care and Adoption, and their clients, including all members of the adoption triad. Services may include assessment for referral to support services, counseling referrals, search and reunion support for adult adoptees. Join our team and shine hope in the lives of others! 

What you'll do:

• Participate as a member of the Post Permanency team to work with the foster care and adoption team to meet the physical, emotional and social and spiritual needs of foster or adopted children after they have been discharged from a Buckner home.
• Work with the Post Permanency team, including the Director and Coordinator, to address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of foster and adopted children post-discharge. Collaborate with the child’s Service Planning team (child, caregivers, CPS/SSCC caseworker, legal representatives, CASA, medical providers, and other stakeholders) to ensure stability and ongoing care. 
• Assistance with identification, facilitation and support of affirming, normative, age-appropriate, positive peer relationships and activities within the child’s community at the subsequent placement.
• Organize and facilitate the transition of clients to other medical and mental health providers, as needed. This includes collaboration with the child’s Service team, Buckner Foster Care and Adoption and the Post Permanency Coordinator to ensure that there is no lapse in therapy or medication, if applicable.
• Review requests for post adoption services (defined as services to members of the triad following finalization) and implement post adoption services as appropriate.
• Complete post adoption services that include but are not limited to referrals for pre-reunion counseling for all members of the triad; provision of records requested by clients or ordered by the court of jurisdiction; searches; reunions; and registration under the Texas Mutual Consent Registry.
• Providing referrals to state and federal resources, local resources, and keeping up to date information for all resources. Work in conjunction with the Post Permanency Coordinator and other Buckner staff to create and gather resources for a Statewide database to include services for post permanency families.
• Provide ongoing discharge case management for clients in accordance with established Buckner guidelines and procedures to include ongoing check-ins with families for at least six months post-placement to assess stability, identify challenges, and offer support. 
• Coordinate, collaborate and advocate with state, local, public and community services and systems affecting the family, while teaching clients to advocate and access support for themselves.

 What you’ll bring:

• Requires and in-depth understanding of a comprehensive field of knowledge normally associated with the attainment of a master’s degree in human services or mental health field. Bachelor’s degree is required, master’s degree preferred.
• A Professional license as a LPC-A, LPC, LCSW-A LCSW, LMFT-A, LMFT preferred.
• Minimum two years prior related experience in the professional delivery of adoption and foster care services required and four years’ experience is