Pregnancy & Adoption Counselor (Part-Time)

The Pregnancy and Adoption Counselor is responsible to the Director of Program Services (DoPS) for carrying out the functions of the agency in helping children and prospective adoptive families to complete legal proceedings and social and emotional adjustments necessary to adoption and pregnancy counseling. This position will be responsible for services provided to pregnancy clients and those families seeking domestic infant and dependent adoptions. Specific duties may vary from time to time and would be those assigned by the DoPS.

The part-time caseload is four children in placement supervision, up to five active home studies, and support service to four expectant parent cases. The number of cases in each category will be adjusted at times because of the distribution of requested services. Subject to 24-hour call after normal work hours, which will be rotated with other staff.

Job Responsibilities

Primary Job Duties:

Adoptive Parent Services

• Recruit and train adoptive homes for waiting adoptive children and prospective adoptive parents
• Plan and lead appropriate orientation and educational group activities to include adoptive parent training as described by agency policy and procedure.
• Accept/complete home studies as assigned by DoPS and present those home studies for approval according to agency policy.
• Respond with adoption information in a timely manner to all inquiries by adoptive parents assigned by the supervisor
• Maintain a communication log of all inquiries, and their disposition, and ensure follow-up services are provided as appropriate to agency procedure.
• Maintain up-to-date case records according to licensure and agency policy
• Remain current in adoption law and best practices.  Comply  and respond  appropriately for the legal completion of adoptions
• Be knowledgeable in the adoption subsidy process and the financial resources and services to adoptive families, i.e., adoption tax credits, grants, adoption fund-raising, etc.

Expectant Parent Services

• Respond quickly to inquiries from expectant parents and follow up with appointments as appropriate
• Maintain a communication log of all inquiries, and their disposition, and assure follow-up services are provided as appropriate to agency procedure.
• Maintain up-to-date case records according to licensure and agency policy
• Provide regular face-to-face sessions with expectant parents to explore parenting and adoption options
• Provide interim care services for infants/children when appropriate and maintain supervision of interim plan.
• Keep interim care homes current and approved according to standards of practice.
• Remain current in adoption law and best practices. Comply and respond appropriately for the legal completion of adoptions.
• Be knowledgeable in the area of financial, assistance and support resources available to expectant parents
• Maintain communication with referral sources and ensure referral sources have up-to-date information on agency services
• Maintain up-to-date educational resources for expectant parents

Documentation and Compliance

• Keep-case files up-to-date in the office (documentation current to within 30 days) and submit the required reports and letters
• Assure that a contract for service is completed and that the case is entered in the computer database prior to initiating a home study
• Accept only custody case home studies as approved by a supervisor
• Comply with all state, federal, and international laws specific to each adoptive case and seek legal counsel upon the instruction of the supervisor.
• Maintain compliance/regulations with Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children the Indian Child Welfare Act, and other required regulations, including USCIS, the Hague Convention, the Universal Accreditation Act, etc.
• Perform duties as prescribed in the agency Policy and Procedure Manual and the International Program Manual and pertinent instructions.
• Meet required training for licensure, accreditation, and agency policy.

Communication and Affiliation

• Seek to develop and strengthen relationships with adoptive child resources both locally (doctors, lawyers, social service agencies, and private families) and inter-country placing entities.
• Maintain adoptive child resources.
• Treat clients with respect and promote an awareness of and sensitivity to their cultural background
• Be knowledgeable, maintain information about community resources, and work cooperatively with these groups and individuals such as, but not limited to, Inter-Agency Adoption Coalition, etc.
• Maintain planned, purposeful contacts with other professional disciplines for the purpose of coordinating referrals for clients as needed
• Participate and collect consumer surveys for the purpose of evaluation of services and best practices
• Be knowledgeable about the mission and values of Miriam’s Promise and be able to effectively communicate the same to the community
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Director of Program Services or the CEO

Additional Job Duties:

• Subject to 24-hour call after normal work hours, which will be rotated with other staff
• Through individual study and participation in professional conferences, remain informed of current issues and developments in the social services field.
• Participate with other local, international, and state councils and associations in child and family advocacy efforts.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with government, and country agencies, referral sources, schools, juvenile justice authorities, etc.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will hold a:

Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited program, Counseling, or a related field is preferred, minimum requirements of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or related field. With a minimum of one (1) year of adoption experience in counseling, foster care, and/or adoption services.

Key Skills: The ideal candidate for this position must:

• Demonstrate competency in the delivery of adoption preparation and adoption services
• Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the various cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the clients and staff members
• Have the ability to create relationships quickly to meet program goals
• Abide by the Agency’s Mission Statement and Organizational Values
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills
• Possess professional demeanor and skills in working with staff, clients, volunteers, and members of the community
• Knowledgeable about and committed to the core values of the agency and the ability to demonstrate, communicate, and represent those to others
• Be able to use computers efficiently (i.e., word processing [Microsoft Word, Excel], data storage/retrieval, etc.)
• Have knowledge of and abide by rules of confidentiality
• Have a vehicle for business use and a valid TN driver’s license and current automobile insurance

Benefits

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references (with contact information) to President and CEO Dietz Osborne at dietzo@miriamspromise.org

Please do not call the office to apply.

Details

• Date Posted: March 26, 2024
• Type: Part-Time
• Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
• Service Area: Social / Human Services
• Start Date: 05/31/2024
• Salary Range: $21-$23
• Working Hours: 15-20 hours/week