Cfss II

Summary: The CFSS II serves as the Indian Child Welfare Act and Child Welfare representative for the local Tribe or IRA. This position is responsible for supporting and working closely with the AVCP ICWA team, Tribes, and families involved in the State or Tribal Child Welfare system. The CFSS II will work closely with ICWA Advocates and Tribal attorneys to represent the position of the local Tribal Council in court proceedings involving all Child in Need of Aid (CINA) cases, promote health and wellness in the community through prevention activities, and support services provided under the Tribal State Child Welfare Compact. 

Performance Responsibilities:

Advocacy

• Actively participate in safety planning meetings, administrative reviews, and team decision making meetings to ask questions, make recommendations, and provide input that reflects cultural values, the Tribe’s legal position, and local knowledge/history.
• Actively participate in home visits and investigations alongside OCS for reports of harm and open CINA cases.
• Act as a liaison between OCS, ICWA Advocate, and the family to assist in communication efforts between all parties involved.
• Maintain open communication with families who have an open CINA or In-Home case, to 1) provide and/or coordinate referrals for services, 2) provide on-going overall support to parents and children, and 3) identify needs and help advocate for family needs to support the completion of case plans and reunification of the family.
• Assist AVCP Compact Referral Unit with finding relatives of children in OCS custody, for placement purposes.
• Assist AVCP Compact Referral Unit with completing home safety walk-throughs, for placement purposes.

Case Management

• Work in partnership with ICWA Advocates and Tribal Attorneys to prepare all required court documents for intervention and case management.
• Share case related information in a timely and ongoing manner, to the Tribal Council or Council ICWA Representative to 1) receive direction on intervention at the beginning of a case, and 2) receive ongoing direction for the Tribe’s position on the status of custody, placement, and permanency of Tribal children.
• Monitor family progress and assist the families in meeting their case plan goals.

Foster Home Recruitment

• Provide information to the community about the need for Native Foster Homes by creating informational flyers to hang in public places, talking to people who would make ideal foster parents, acting as a liaison between OCS licensing and interested individuals. 
• Assist interested families in completing the application and/or waiver process.
• Maintain an updated list of families interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents and make list available to both AVCP ICWA office and the Office of Children’s Services (OCS) and assist with all recruitment efforts for Native foster and adoptive homes.
• Assist AVCP Compact Referral Unit with all aspects of the licensing process including applications, fingerprinting, home walk throughs, and variances. 
• Assist AVCP Compact Referral Unit with providing support to unlicensed relative placements. 

Prevention

• Plan and coordinate prevention activities that help parents and youth engage in healthy ways and encourage community wellness. 
• Partner with or participate in other local organizational activities such as job fairs, festivals, etc. to stay engaged with the community.

Other

• Be a positive community role model. 
• Practice confidentiality and respect in all aspects of work.
• Other duties as assigned. 

ACCOMMODATION: The position requires the ability to carry out the essential job duties as outlined above. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Community & Family Services Specialist II.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or GED is required. Work experience in ICWA/child welfare, family advocacy, or social services preferred but not required. Knowledge of or familiarity with the culture of the Yukon Kuskokwim-Delta Region; Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native children and families; and fluency in Yup’ik or Cup’ik is strongly preferred but not required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must reside in the compacted village in which they are applying.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours and travel as needed.
• Per Public Law 101-630 (Indian Child Protection & Family Violence Prevention Act) anyone applying for this position must submit to a Character Background Investigation, fingerprint process, and complete a Compliance Application.