ICWA Resource Family Specialist

Description

Summary Job Goal: The ICWA Resource Family Specialist is responsible for helping the AVCP ICWA Department meet its goal of 100% ICWA compliance for children in out-of-home placement. The Resource Specialist will conduct diligent relative searches, ICWA preference placement searches, and be an advocate for families in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) licensing process. 

Performance Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

•     Conduct diligent relative searches referred under the Alaska State Tribal Child Welfare Compact 
•        Serve as primary contact for receipt of diligent relative search referrals under the Alaska State Tribal Child Welfare Compact 
•        Conduct ICWA preference placement searches for AVCP ICWA compact tribes 
•         Asist willing families, identified through searches or referred by compact tribes, to become licensed by helping them complete the foster care application, fingerprinting, and helping to secure items necessary for licensure (e.g. fire extinguishers, etc.) 
•        Provide training and mentoring to ICWA Advocates, CFSS, and compact tribes on assisting families through the licensing process and supporting them once they become licensed 
• Performing emergency safety walk-throughs for compact villages without a CFSS
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all case information
• Complete training/meet requirements to use Online Resource for the Children of Alaska'(ORCA) and other databases as applicable 
•   Develop forms/templates and file system to be used when conducting diligent relative searches and ICWA preference placement searches 
•   Obtain OCS monthly out-of-preference placement and OCS Western Region data reports and analyze the data for department purposes. 
•   Assist in the development of additional positions under the Alaska State Tribal Child Welfare Compact. 
•   Depending on workload additional responsibilities will be added related to the Alaska State Tribal Child Welfare Compact. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must possess strong written, verbal and analytical skills and be able to work and communicate in a multi-cultural setting. 

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE: Minimum bachelor's degree in a related field. Relevant experience and/or training may be substituted for a degree (e.g. Rural Human Services certificate). Experience in Child Welfare, Family Advocacy, or Social Services required. Knowledge of or familiarity with the culture of the Yukon Kuskokwirn-Delta Region strongly preferred. Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native children and/or families strongly preferred. Fluency in Yup'ik or Cup`ik, preferred