About Gladney:
For more than 135 years, Gladney Center for Adoption, a premier non-profit, has been a pioneer and leading voice for improving the lives of children, adoptive families and birth parents. With unwavering commitment, we have focus on our mission and made a difference in the lives of birth parents, families and children here and around the world.
About the Job:
A staff member in this position performs a variety of duties with the goal of helping children abroad find loving families through our agency. This incumbent will work in one or more international programs and help develop new international opportunities. Incumbent will also help recruit, identify, and interview prospective adoptive parents (PAP) for available children, and once matched, will help the families through the entire adoption process concentrating mostly on superior customer service, accurate record-keeping and case notes, Hague compliance and organization. The position requires the ability to effectively interact with clients, staff, visitors, and contacts from other agencies, state, and federal offices.
Responsibilities
- Act as primary contact for families adopting through one of Gladney's adoption programs.
- Respond to inquiries and answer PAP's questions related to available adoption programs.
- Assist families as they navigate through adoption process, including but not limited to:
- Suggesting supervised providers or helping locate an exempt provider, if applicable.
- Preparing for the home study assessment.
- Assisting with I-800A process.
- Preparing client's dossier paperwork.
- Authentication of documents.
- Submitting dossier to intercountry adoption authority.
- Official referral process (LOA/Placement Proposals.)
- Assisting with the immigration process.
- Assisting with travel planning.
- Following up with client post-adoption.
- Work for the children, and always working in their best interests, but also form strong relationships with adoptive families.
- Audit each client's file, before dossier is sent, before travel, and after required post placement reporting, ensuring that all required paperwork is included. Follow up with clients for any outstanding items.
- Provide consultation and updates to families on specific country adoption requirements.
- Disseminate new information about adoption process, changes in procedures or status of country programs.
- Be familiar with all aspects of Gladney's adoption programs-home study requirements, dossier preparation, country requirements, dealing with international contacts, and completing the travel and post-adoption process.
- Immediately taking any problems or concerns to clinical supervisor (International Program Director or Executive Director).
- Ensure Gladney families have completed all required training as outlined in the Training Summary - at home study, during the process, with referral.
- Thoroughly discuss (or refer to other staff member) the child referral with family. Assign child specific training and discuss child specific training tool with family.
- Follow up via telephone with client upon return home to discuss transition, questions, concerns, etc. Discuss any concerns with Gladney clinical staff. Share resources with family.
- Ensure post-placement and post adoption reports are completed, collected, and sent to country in timely mam1er.
- Evaluate families for consideration for Gladney's waiting child program in cooperation with other Gladney staff.
- Participate in clinical discussions regarding family's preparedness, and appropriateness of potential matches.
- Maintain exemplary level of customer service with all families, specifically in terms of communication. Incumbent will return all family communication within 24 hours.
Other Responsibilities:
- Incumbent may be responsible for mentoring and supervising other staff working in international programs.
- Travel to country to build and strengthen relationships with international partners and meet waiting children.
- Help to market Gladney and advocate for waiting children through social media and other channels.
- Help with administrative tasks as needed.
- Assist with company mailings (i.e. Holiday mailings, Constant Contact, etc.)
- Participate in and speak at adoption seminars and workshops.
- Help plan special events such as trainings, fundraisers, reunions, etc.
- Help with fundraising efforts to improve charitable contributions program in Philippines.
- Plan, organize and monitor support groups for clients.
- Ensure adequate record keeping on all assigned cases.
- Strict adherence to the Code of Ethics and Confidentiality.
- Follow all policies, procedures, and philosophies of the agency. Follow agency regulations and guidelines when interacting with prospective adoptive families.
- Serve as a back-up to any other employees.
- Maintain a caring attitude toward others.
- Be innovative and use creativity to find additional ways to help children and families.
- Find creative ways to cut business costs.
- Meet all licensing and Hague requirements for staff.
- Complete a minimum of 30 hours of training each year.
- Be flexible and open to change, assisting with other duties as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or other related Human Services field required. Master's degree in Social Work or other Human Services field preferred.
- Three years relevant adoption/foster care/social services work experience (Serving children and families preferred.
- Minimum 2 years of case management experience preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent reading comprehension skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings & occasional weekends.
- Strong interpersonal skills with emphasis on communication skills.
- Invested in our mission and have a solid desire to help children find homes, health and hope through the efforts of our agency.
- Maintain a caring attitude toward others.
Preferred Qualifications
- Team Player
- Detail Oriented
- Highly Organized
- Self-starting
- Motivated
- Innovative
- Articulate
- High energy
- Reliable
- Resourceful
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Evenings as needed
- Monday to Friday
- On call
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- What are your salary expectations?
Experience:
- Child welfare: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Neosho, MO 64850 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Neosho, MO 64850: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person