Permanency Recruiter

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children's mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters helping children and families live successfully.

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Program Overview:

Youth Villages' Treatment Foster Care program provides evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment for youth in foster care while supporting foster parents and advocating for the best interests of each youth. The program serves children and adolescents (ages 0 to18) who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, and may have behavioral and mental health needs.

Our parent-centered treatment model promotes positive change across home, school, community, and peer environments all while working diligently to achieve family reunification whenever possible or finding permanency through adoption.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Permanency Recruiter:

• Carries a caseload of 15 youth in active recruitment status

• Connects youth in foster care and residential treatment settings who have no identified permanency options with adoptive families through intensive, child-focused recruitment efforts

• Identifies, engages, and supports permanent connections for children (who may have special needs or behavioral and mental health concerns), older youth, sibling groups, or those at risk of aging out of care without legal permanency

• Conducts in-depth file reviews and interviews youth, caseworkers, family members, and other significant individuals in the youth's life

• Develops and implements individualized, child-specific recruitment plans informed by case history, youth preferences, and professional recommendations

• Conducts monthly face-to-face visits with each youth to assess and support adoption readiness and permanency planning

• Utilizes tools including internet searches, genograms, and historical documentation to identify past and potential connections

• Creates written assessments of adoption readiness and progress

• Collaborates with caseworkers and other professionals to coordinate recruitment and permanency activities monthly

• Communicates with the caseworker monthly to review the progress of the recruitment plan

• Provides case management and customer relations by coordinating and organizing various meetings and appointments to fit the needs and schedules of involved parties (which may include working after normal 'business hours')

• Assists with pre-placement planning and support (including coordination of visits and safety planning) once matched

• Assists with developing and implementing a transition plan (including but not limited to: connecting the family to mental health treatment services, community resources, and education support; providing psychoeducation on the youth's specific needs; and developing a support network and safety plan)

• Advocates for the youth's best interest, including overcoming resistance to permanency

• Participates in and facilitates team meetings, case conferences, and permanency planning reviews

• Works in conjunction with the caseworker and other involved professionals to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization

• Maintains accurate documentation of recruitment activities, youth engagement, and family matching in accordance with agency and program standards

• Attends all required trainings and conferences

• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)

• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.

• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver's license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.

• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a social services discipline (preferred)

• Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline (required)

  • Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)

• Minimum of 2 years post-degree experience in child welfare or adoption services (preferred)

• Minimum of 6 months experience at Youth Villages (preferred)

• Experience with youth in state custody and knowledge of permanency planning process (preferred)

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

• Basic computer knowledge

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

• 401(k)

• Time off:

• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

  • 12 paid sick days per year

  • 11 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

• Growth & development through continuous training

• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.