Kinship Care Specialist

Company Description

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged in the child welfare system.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

We are seeking a new Kinship Care Specialist to become an integral and valued part of our Kinship Services program working to achieve Amara’s vision. This position will be based in our Seattle office and is part of a federally funded program in partnership with Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the University of Washington-School of Social Work. The Kinship Care Specialist will provide wraparound supports to kinship families in King County, including assisting them with completing the foster care licensure process with DCYF. Amara is committed to ongoing support of kinship families following the completion of the federal grant (in 2026) and will be making efforts to continue this work following grant completion.

Job Description

This individual will be responsible for providing a wide range of services (including assessment, case management, and placement support) on behalf of children placed in kinship care in King County. The majority of this work is placement support, which includes direct work with families and children, including:

• Provide timely support to often newly placed kinship families. This includes completing a needs assessment, goal setting/treatment planning, and ongoing placement support, case management, and resource navigation.
• Assist kinship families to complete DCYF’s licensing process by connecting with resources as well as identifying and addressing barriers. This includes working with the family to complete trainings, required paperwork, and securing necessary items for licensure.
• Ensuring that the physical, emotional, and social needs of children placed in Amara-supported kinship homes are met.
• Liaising with multiple professionals in the child welfare arena (such as DCYF workers, CASAs, and service providers)
• Facilitation of kinship workshops and support groups such as a trauma informed triad support group (youth, caregiver, and parent) that will focus on promoting shared principles.
• Provide basic supports to parents of youth placed in kinship homes helping to ensure they are connected to the appropriate resources (such as, referring to local resources like Parents for Parents, inviting to Collaborative Parenting Workshop).
• Meeting requirements for timely, accurate, and thorough documentation for case files
• Making referrals for community services for children and families as needed
• Attending and participating in staff meetings and trainings as required
• Flexing hours to accommodate family needs on an occasional and ongoing basis (ask that staff provide at minimum one night a week for evening appointments)
• Engage in team meetings, supervision, and clinical consultation to ensure effective utilization of clinical skills and to engage in ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of paid social service experience or a master’s degree and one year of paid social service experience are required. A practicum may be considered as a substitute for one year of paid experience. Degree(s) must be in social services, human services, behavioral science, or an allied field. 
• Knowledge of child development and family systems
• Strong communication skills; experience communicating through verbal and written formats with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility and independent judgment.
• Ability to work with all groups across age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to work in tandem with an outstanding professional team.
• Lived experience with the child welfare system (as a former youth in foster/kinship care, current or former kinship caregiver, parent, or foster parent) highly preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years old, and have a valid Washington State driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and proof of auto insurance.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check. 
• Proof of current flu, Tdap and COVID-19 vaccinations. 
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification and Blood-Borne Pathogens (BBP) training within the past 5 years.
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with Spanish-speaking families is highly preferred.

Additional Information

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position with an annual rate of pay between $57,000-$69,999, depending on experience. The final salary offer will be commensurate with the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, and demonstrated abilities. Amara offers a generous leave and benefits package including 10 company holidays, 4 personal days, sick leave, and 15 days of vacation per year. Competitive health, dental and vision insurance rates, a 401k with a company match, life, disability insurance and a paid sabbatical. Amara supports a hybrid work schedule with some flexibility to work from home. 

Criminal Background Check

Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. Because this role requires access to confidential client data and direct interaction with children the candidate must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check performed by the state of Washington/DCYF. 

A list of disqualifying convictions for this position can be found at: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/FSA/bccu/documents/Secretary%27sCrimesListforALLPrograms.pdf

Vaccination Requirement:

Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodation.

To Apply

To express your interest in this position, please submit your resume and one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters.

Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer