Adoption Social Worker - Chicago, IL

Job Description:

Part-time/Hourly position

Location: Chicago, IL

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Holt International’s Programs and Services Department serves more than 1,000,000 children, family members and other individuals around the world each year through family strengthening services, orphan care and adoption services. Managed by U.S. and in-country staff, these programs and services are carried out in close cooperation with partner agencies, orphanages and other child service providers, government child welfare agencies, local and regional officials, funding agencies, and others. The Programs and Services Department continuously evaluates opportunities to expand or deepen program services in countries where we work while maintaining high standards of quality and transparency for sustainable development and child welfare impact.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Holt International finds and supports permanent, loving families for children who are orphaned, abandoned or at serious risk of separation from their family. The master’s level social worker represents Holt in their community and ensures the successful adjustment of child and family by conducting an assessment of the family, and providing appropriate services throughout the adoption process. The master’s level social worker works cooperatively with families, the Branch Office and Adoption Teams headquartered in Eugene, Oregon. Note: The Adoption Social Worker is primarily a home-based position. The Adoption Social Worker position requires travel (most often by car) to different locations within the assigned area to complete the essential functions of the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (to be completed within timeframes outlined by the Branch Director): 

1. Determines a family’s ability and capacity to parent an adopted child by conducting pre-home study meetings as requested, reviewing and assessing agency-requested information, evaluating the family’s knowledge and perceptions of adoption, teaching adoption education courses as needed, and conducting psycho-social assessments of family members.

2. Contributes to the delivery of high-quality adoption services by producing adoption home studies and post placement reports that comply with provided guidelines and meet current agency, state, country and USCIS requirements.

3. Provides support and case management of all assigned families by maintaining quarterly contacts throughout process, communicating information to the family, referring family to appropriate community support systems when necessary and documenting all correspondence in Holt’s database. 

4. Prepares family for travel and assists with post placement adjustment by providing training and identifying resources available to help meet the child’s needs and aid in the child’s adjustment to the family. Conduct home visits as required by state law and country program guidelines, assist in early identification of problematic issues, and make a determination regarding the stability and appropriateness of the placement.

5. Assures child’s physical and emotional well-being and eases family’s adjustment by providing counseling to the child and family and/or helping arrange for counseling with a clinician outside the agency if needed. In case of an adoption disruption or dissolution, maintain relationship with family to ensure transition plan is developed that meets the child’s needs.  Assist child and family with transition of child to new placement.

6. Contributes to public knowledge about Holt and supports Holt programs by participating in activities arranged by Holt including picnics or parent groups, representing Holt at adoption meetings, coalitions and organizations, and performing other outreach activities as appropriate.

7. Maintains professional knowledge by attending relevant seminars and course work, keeping informed about State regulations, legislation, adoption issues and child-related issues overseas; maintaining license, if required. 

8. Contributes to a positive, productive work environment by meeting attendance and punctuality guidelines and pre-arranging time off with appropriate notice; treating all people with dignity and respect; and exhibiting good listening and comprehension skills including giving and welcoming feedback. 

9. Contributes to team effort by working cooperatively with Branch and Eugene offices, respectfully responding to all communication from Branch and Eugene in a timely manner. Providing back-up to colleagues as needed and supporting branch office in meeting objectives.

SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Adoption Social Worker has strong assessment skills and the ability to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with families and work cooperatively with agency staff and contacts in the community. She/he has the ability to identify unusual adjustment issues and problematic family dynamics and address these with families in a respectful, open and supportive manner. She/he has the ability to problem solve in a creative manner and manage families and children in crisis while exercising good judgment. She/he has strong organizational skills, is able to work independently, set priorities, and analyze documents. She/he leverages current technology to support performance and efficiency in accomplishing assigned responsibilities.