The Permanency Specialist serves as the primary case leader responsible for guiding each child and family through the permanency journey. They coordinate, oversee, and deliver all services and supports necessary to ensure safety, stability, and timely progress toward permanency (reunification, adoption, relative, ect). As the central point of accountability on the case, the Permanency Specialist drives the planning, decision‑making, and collaborative efforts required to move the case forward—removing barriers, engaging all stakeholders, and ensuring the child's permanency plan is achieved in the most effective and timely manner possible. Serves as the primary case manager responsible for assessment, case planning, service coordination, and permanency outcomes for assigned children and families. Completes initial and ongoing assessments of children, families, and collateral contacts to identify strengths, needs, risks, and service requirements. Develops, implements, and monitors case plans and permanency goals, recommending reunification, adoption, termination of parental rights, or other permanency options as appropriate. Prepares children and families for placement changes, reunification, adoption, or other permanency outcomes. Researches, evaluates, and recommends relative or kinship placements and supports foster and kinship caregivers to maintain stable placements. Completes adoption-related documentation and activities when adoption is the approved permanency goal. Conducts timely contact with children and families and facilitates family meetings to support engagement and case progress. Identifies, coordinates, and monitors services and supports for children and families, including behavioral health, substance use treatment, respite care, visitation, and community resources. Assists families in developing and strengthening family, kinship, and community support networks. Provides crisis intervention and support to children and families as needed. Collaborates with and provides case guidance to assigned Family Support Workers. Prepares court reports, participates in court proceedings, including testimony, and ensures compliance with court orders and legal requirements. Works effectively with the court system and other stakeholders to support permanency and child safety outcomes. Maintains accurate, complete, and timely case documentation in accordance with agency, contractual, licensing, and regulatory requirements. Participates in supervision, team meetings, and interdisciplinary staffing to communicate case progress, barriers, and recommendations. Supervises and transports children and families as needed. Participates in an on-call rotation, remaining available outside regular work hours to respond to urgent situations. Responds promptly to calls and notifications, assesses issues, and resolves or escalates concerns as appropriate. Travels as needed to address emergent situations and documents all on-call activities, actions taken, and outcomes. Reports critical incidents to DFPS according to policy. Implements Saint Francis Ministries policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent Saint Francis Ministries Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), rules, employee policies and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state, and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms. Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures. Reports unusual incidents through appropriate risk management, clinical and safety channels. Ensures clients' rights are protected.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a Human Service field from an accredited college or university. Prefer two years' experience working with children and families. Must be 21 years of age. Must pass a drug screen, MVR, KBI, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Clearance check and an Adult Registry Check FBI fingerprint check Lifting Requirements of 50 lbs. Must have valid driver's license, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation