Description:

Summary Job Goal:

The Compact Services Support Specialist is responsible for helping the Tribal Child Welfare Unit reach and maintain 100% ICWA compliance for tribal children in out-of-home placements. This position will manage plans and projects around kinship care and recruitment and retention of foster parents in the AVCP region. This position will ensure that services are provided to keep children with relatives, and within their communities, and connected to culture.

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

• Develop an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and Child Welfare Systems in Alaska.
• Assist in managing referrals from the Office of Childrens Services for licensing assistance, home safety walk-throughs, and relative searches.
• Travel periodically to villages in AVCP region to provide direct assistance to relative providers, potential and current foster homes, and to coordinate recruitment activities.
• Assist families with completing the State of Alaska Foster Pare application, including fingerprinting, and helping to secure items necessary for licensure (e.g. fire extinguishers, etc.) as needed.
• Develop a working knowledge of local, regional, and statewide agencies that provide resources and services to families, individuals, and children including AVCP programs that can support families.
• Connect unlicensed relative placements and kinship care providers to financial assistance, training, and other resources to maintain first preference placements of tribal children.
• Plan and coordinate multiple foster care provider recruitment activities throughout the AVCP region and/or directly with relative providers.
• Coordinate trainings for front-line and sub-regional ICWA staff and Tribes on the scopes of services under the Tribal State Compact.
• Track and maintain data of compacted services and complete billing documents and/or reports as needed.
• Maintain documentation in AVCP and OCS systems.
• Coordinate referrals and services of all compacted scopes of work by working closely with interested placements, relative providers, Tribes, AVCP Staff, and OCS.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.