Adoption Specialist

About D.A. Blodgett - St. John's

D.A. Blodgett - St. John's provides a comprehensive continuum of care, including counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring, and residential services. Our core belief, supported by research, is that children thrive best when they can be safe within their families. We primarily serve children, youth, and families in the greater Grand Rapids area and across Michigan, committed to an inclusive and welcoming experience for all.

Mission Statement: To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support.
Vision: A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family.

Position Summary

The Adoption Program focuses on placing children with special needs (including older children, sibling groups, and those with emotional, physical, or mental impairments) into adoptive homes. The Adoption Specialist is instrumental in recruiting, assessing, and supporting adoptive families, as well as preparing children and families for placement. This role ensures successful adjustments and provides ongoing support to achieve permanency.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assess, prepare, and place children from foster care into adoptive homes.
• Recruit, screen, assess, educate, train, and support adoptive families.
• Supervise children in adoptive placements to ensure successful adjustment.
• Make necessary referrals for support services.
• Organize, facilitate, and monitor services to achieve annual adoption objectives (placements and finalizations).
• Coordinate community resources (e.g., counseling, special education, DHHS) for adoptive children and families.
• Complete all required agency, DHHS, Adoption Assistance, and legal paperwork in a timely manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing adoption plans to ensure timely permanency for children.
• Support group activities and participate in case-related activities like court hearings and meetings.
• Engage in agency-related duties, including staff meetings, interdepartmental cooperation, and timely completion of administrative tasks.
• Be prepared to assist with public relations, recruitment, special committees, or task forces as assigned.
• Accommodate personal schedules to client availability and agency needs, including after-hours appointments and contacts.
• Manage a caseload of approximately 15 children and families after initial training.
• Complete required annual training hours.
• Collaborate effectively with agency staff and external partners (community agencies, law firms, courts).
• Strive for positive satisfaction survey results and meet departmental scoreboard metrics for timely reports and placements.
• Maintain accurate and current case records.
• Ensure services provided meet the highest standards of professional child welfare practice.

Supervision Received

Works under general direction, planning and arranging own work using a wide range of procedures to accomplish objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work or a related human services field.
• Background experience in foster care, adoption, and/or with individuals with special needs.
• Comprehensive understanding of child development, particularly for adoptive children from foster care.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and coordinate case planning.
• Valid driver's license, good driving record, and reliable vehicle with adequate insurance.
• Understanding and sensitivity to client socioeconomic characteristics, with warmth and the ability to build meaningful relationships across cultures.
• Computer proficiency and keyboarding skills.
• Good moral character and no criminal record.
• Commitment to the agency's mission, philosophy, and values, and adherence to its code of ethics.

Core Competencies

• Working Under Pressure
• Planning and Organizing
• Detail Orientation
• Customer Service
• Motivation
• Integrity
• Reliability
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Technical Skills
• Accountability
• Teamwork

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• Work in stationary position: 5+ hours
• Move about work area: 2 to 5 hours
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel: 2 to 5 hours
• Reach with hands and arms: 2 to 5 hours
• Ascend/Descend (stairs/ladder/etc.): 2 to 5 hours
• Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: 2 to 5 hours
• Communicate with various parties: 5+ hours
• Detect flavors or smells: Less than 2 hours
• Move containers up to 20 pounds: Less than 2 hours
• Visual acuity: 5+ hours
• Read and understand written word: 5+ hours
• Drive/Travel: 2 to 5 hours
• Operate computer and general office machines: 5+ hours
• Operate machines or material handling equipment: Less than 2 hours

• Office Environment: 5+ hours (No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals, or hazardous equipment.)
• Manufacturing Environment: Less than 2 hours (Exposure to dust, oil, various chemicals, solvents, or fumes.)
• Medical Environment: Less than 2 hours (Exposure to body fluids, radiation, medical equipment, solvents, or chemicals.)
• Noise: Less than 2 hours (Exposure to constant or intermittent extreme sounds.)
• Temperature: Less than 2 hours (Exposure to extreme heat or cold either indoors or outside.)

Diversity & Inclusion

DABSJ is committed to being a fully inclusive organization, celebrating the diversity of our clients and staff. We welcome differing thoughts, faiths, beliefs, groups, and lived experiences, recognizing that these differences make us stronger together.

Equal Opportunity Employer

D.A. Blodgett - St. John's is an equal opportunity, at-will employer. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.