About

• Description

Position Summary

• This position is the bridge between Child Protection Services (CPS) and those American Indian families who are the brink of/or currently experiencing CPS involvement. This position will assist these families with the goal of successfully being able to keep or return their children back into their custody. This position will work to create open dialogues between CPS and the family as well as providing families advocacy to form a successful pathway to healthy family preservation or reunification.
• This role is part of the Nokomis Circle Project whose mission is to keep American Indian children out of placement whenever possible and if there is a placement out of the family home, to create culturally specific case plans. Additionally, focus is placed on recruiting, developing and sustaining foster homes in the American Indian community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ensures that each family has a full understanding of their Child Protection case, case plan, court process, and expectations by providing clear explanations.
• Meets with the family during the Child Protection Assessment or as soon as possible thereafter assessing current and past use of available resources, community-based support systems, referral source preferences, and what needs should be addressed in the case plan.
• Facilitates a team approach that results in workable case plans and clear communication that contribute to resolution of conflict that may arise between CPS, families and other agencies.
• It is supportive to both the child protection case manager and the family to ensure a culturally relevant case plan is developed, including but not limited to helping the family request and develop culturally appropriate behavioral based tasks and services, and ensure access to culturally relevant resources that ensure the safety, wellbeing, and permanency of the child.
• Attend Emergency Protection Custody (EPC) hearings and Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) meetings with Ramsey County staff.
• Provides regular follow-up and communication, with the family, the CPS contact, and referral sources to assess the progress of the case plan and share recommendations for adjustments if necessary.
• Assist Case Managers to coordinate visits between caregivers and their children when necessary.
• Assist with identifying relatives and/or assessing relatives for referral for foster care licensing or possible permanent placement.
• Work with the Ramsey County social work department and network within the American Indian community to recruit, develop and sustain foster homes for American Indian children. Track and report all recruitment efforts for foster care homes.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Requirements

Qualifications

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university preferred; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working directly with families in a social service setting preferred.
• Required to have experience and possess strong knowledge of the child protection services system, the
• Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, as well as their application within judicial proceedings of court and legal advocacy.
• Must have demonstrated experience providing advocacy and case management to American Indian families experiencing or at-risk of involvement with the child protection system.
• Must possess a strong knowledge of local community resources.
• Must have knowledge of the Native American Indian cultures, values, and family systems.