Guardianship Specialist

Description:

Job Title: Guardianship Specialist

Unit/Service: Guardianship

Reports To: Guardianship Supervisor

Supervises: N/A

Position Summary: Within the framework of the agency’s mission, policies, procedures and resources, the Guardianship Specialist is responsible for case management of children and families related to recruitment and adoption readiness in compliance with current State of Michigan Licensing Rules for Child Placing Agencies, contractual, or grant obligations, and any additional applicable accreditation standards relevant to the agency.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the following human services areas: social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, counseling psychology or criminal justice required.
• A minimum of one year of experience working in child welfare/court programs required.
• Experience and an understanding of the strengths-based approach, as well as using research based assessment tools when working with youth/families.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including non-traditional hours and weekends including being accessible 24/7/365.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from a variety of racial/ethnic backgrounds.
• Organizational skills, including attention to details.
• Ability to effectively facilitate difficult conversations in which participants have strongly different opinions or perspectives.
• Knowledge about the Michigan child welfare system, DHS, and court processes required.
• Ability to relate to local DHS personnel, the courts and other service providers on behalf of children and families.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication.
• Experience in and knowledge of brief, solution-focused therapy is preferred.
• An understanding and commitment to the solution-focused mode.

Major Responsibilities:

• Case management of children and families related to recruitment and adoption readiness.
• Conduct a thorough assessment on cases to assist the court in making a determination regarding the suitability of a minor guardianship placement. This will include reviews, for both the proposed guardian and minor child(ren), of criminal and Children’s Protective Services (CPS) history, immunizations, and assess the home and living environment including, but not limited to, any potential safety concerns present.
• Utilize the relative assessment documents designed by DHS in assessment process and commence within five business days of receipt of the guardianship assessment referral. Obtain the criminal and CPS histories within five business days of receipt of the guardianship referral.
• Identify and needs concerning the minor and/or guardian and make recommendations to the court.
• Make regular contact with the court and DHS staff to build and maintain a collaborative approach to the delivery of services for families.
• Provide a written report regarding the suitability of the proposed guardian and service needs, provisions, and recommendations to the court or judge within 45 days of receipt of the guardianship referral and appear before the court as needed or ordered to provide testimony.
• Report concerns of abuse or neglect to CPS (per MCL 722.623) if determined throughout the guardianship assessment process.
• Coordinate service activities; identify, locate and secure resources to assist the family.
• Facilitate any Circuit or Probate court ordered services by making referrals, on behalf of any eligible person and the minor, within five business days of receipt of the order, to secure resources and services.
• Follow up within fifteen days of initial referral to ensure services are being provided. If services are not being provided, seek remedy with referral agency and/or through re-referral or identification of new service provider, if necessary.
• Ensure that all families have received court-ordered services by monitoring progress at thirty, sixty, and ninety day intervals and through collateral contacts.
• Maintain documentation of the periodic monitoring and include such reports with the case record.
• Document and keep records of: Guardianship petition denial with reasons for such denial, birth parent or any interested person petition denial with reasons for such denial, and rescission of guardianship and reasons for such rescission.
• Contact the family or individual upon completion of services and administer a follow-up client survey.
• Accurately utilize tracking system or log for specific assistance/supplies purchased for the family which includes the client signature.
• Conduct court ordered annual reviews to determine suitability of continued placement in a guardianship of minors under 6 years of age.
• Identify any needs concerning the minor and/or guardian and make recommendations to the court.
• Provide a written report regarding review and assessment of the guardian and service needs, provisions, and recommendations to the court or judge within 45 day of receipt of the referral and appear before the court as needed or ordered to provide testimony.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.