Kinship Care Licensor (SSS3)

Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

• Complete Family Home Studies for kinship placement and/or adoptive placement and/or community foster home licensing
• Provide consultation to applicants, refer to services or training, and provide support throughout the home study and/or licensing process
• Produce written home studies that accurately and clearly describe the potential caregivers' family history and include a discussion of their strengths and limitations in the recommendation of approval/denial of the home study using clinical skills
• Assist caregivers to overcome barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children or to become licensed
• Review completed background checks, collateral information, waivers and disqualifications
• Assist licensed foster families to retain the family as a service provider, when appropriate
• Provide technical assistance and interpretation of policy and statute governing licensing functions and assist potential foster parents in becoming licensed
• Make timely notification of foster home licensure to other staff, including Placement Coordinators, Targeted Recruitment Specialists, contracted providers and other administrations, as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with the Child Welfare program, DCYF divisions and other administrations to maintain communication in order to maintain safe and stable placements in the home during the home study process
• When working in the field, complete physical facility inspections, interview caregivers or potential applicants and household members
• Interview verbal children, observing caregiver/child interactions when children are non-verbal, and work with other professionals as needed to achieve the goal of safe and healthy home placements for children
• Partner with other LD programs as they investigate allegations of CA/N or WAC violations and provide technical assistance/resources and support for foster parents
• Provide testimony and declarations at administrative hearings and other court proceedings related to written home studies and licensing action

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline
• One (1) year as a Social Service Specialist 2
• A bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs
• A master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles

• Health insurance
• Longevity step
• Paid leave
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation
• Social Security
• Vacation (Annual Leave)

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.