T3C Kinship Family Engagement Specialist/Risk Management

Role and Responsibilities

This position works under the supervision of the Director of Risk Management and plays a key role in supporting the verification process of kinship homes, while ensuring ongoing compliance with state minimum standards and contracted agency guidelines. The Kinship Family Engagement Specialist whose focus is risk evaluation works collaboratively with internal staff, contracted employees, and individuals associated with licensed or pre-service kinship homes to ensure that all required background checks are fully assessed and any additional support is provided if concerns arise.

With a trauma-informed and family-centered lens, this role places special emphasis on engaging and supporting kinship caregivers, who often navigate unique relational and historical dynamics during the licensing process. This Kinship Engagement Specialist serves as a point of contact and guide for kinship families, helping them understand and complete background-related requirements in a manner that is accessible, respectful, and supportive.

Duties

• Responsible for the review, input, and ongoing monitoring of background checks associated with both pre-service and licensed kinship foster homes.


• Assist individuals, including kinship caregivers, who have a criminal history, in completing the Risk Evaluation process required by the Centralized Background Check Unit (CBCU) and Divinity Family Services, offering clear and compassionate guidance.


• Submit out-of-state abuse and neglect background check requests for individuals who have lived outside of Texas in the past five years.


• Collaborate closely with FAD, Case Management, and Quality Assurance staff to maintain the ongoing background eligibility of individuals associated with licensed kinship homes.


• Communicate effectively with outside agencies (e.g., law enforcement, courts) to obtain arrest records or other documentation needed to support background eligibility decisions.


• Review and assess arrest records, kinship home studies, and other relevant materials for risk factors, applying thoughtful consideration to the context and relational dynamics of kinship care.


• Prepare for and participate in staffings regarding individuals' criminal history to support well-informed licensing determinations while considering the difficult dynamics of kinship care.


• Maintain accurate documentation and data entry in internal data management systems, ensuring all background check records are properly uploaded and maintained.


• Assist kinship caregivers or individuals associated with these homes in completing additional CBCU requirements (e.g., fingerprinting, notarized forms), providing coaching and encouragement throughout the process.


• Approach all interactions with respect, empathy, and cultural responsiveness, particularly when working with relative or fictive kin navigating complex family relationships.


• Participate in continuous improvement efforts, offering feedback to strengthen how Divinity Family Services engages and supports kinship caregivers during the background check process.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

The employee must meet the minimum age requirements for full-time work in accordance with Texas child labor law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. This job description will act as an acknowledgment that the employee does meet the minimum age requirements set by state and federal labor guidelines.

• Deep respect for and understanding the unique dynamics of kinship care


• Commitment to equity, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practices


• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage complex documentation processes


• Comfort navigating law enforcement records and maintaining confidentiality


• Proactive collaboration and timely communication across teams and agencies


• Preferred work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.


• Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Conditions of Employment

Employees must maintain a valid Texas driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance coverage as required by Texas law. In accordance with Texas law, Divinity Family Services (DFS) will conduct criminal background checks on all candidates and reserves the right to conduct random drug screenings during employment. Employees may be required to work weekends or evening hours as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Employees are required to always keep a functioning cellular phone to ensure availability for on-call and after-hours duties.

The physical demands of the position may require employees to stand, walk, sit, use hands/fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. On rare occasions, employees may be required to lift 30 pounds.

In compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), employees are required to adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, as well as DFS’s policies and procedures, regarding the safeguarding of confidential healthcare information.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Divinity Family Services (DFS) will make reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with disabilities, upon request, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the organization.

DFS is committed to diversity and inclusion, adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines. The organization does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic, in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.