Coordinator, Birth Parent Services
NY
Full Time
Entry Level
Primary Purpose
Spence-Chapin has an exciting opportunity to join our Domestic Adoption Team as an Adoption Social Worker. We are seeking a dedicated social worker to provide counseling and support to biological parents who are considering a voluntary adoption plan for their child, empowering them to make the best decision for their child and for themselves. The right candidate will conduct individual counseling, write psychosocial histories, visit clients in hospitals and communities, discharge babies from hospitals, facilitate selection of and meeting with adoptive parents, assist in placement and/or return of infants, and refer clients to community support services. This individual will conduct outreach, education, and training to promote Spence-Chapin's options counseling services for biological parents considering adoption, advance community awareness of adoption, and increase referrals to Spence-Chapin. This is an in-person position with an annual salary range of $60,000-$65,000.Spence-Chapin is a non-profit organization based in New York City that has been providing adoption services and adoption support for more than 110 years. At Spence-Chapin, we believe that every child deserves a family, and we work tirelessly to advocate for children in need of a permanent, loving home. Over our history, Spence-Chapin has served more than 25,000 children, women, and families through our main program areas: Comprehensive Domestic and International Adoption Programs; Birth Parent Services, Well-being Services; and International Humanitarian Aid through programs like our Granny Program to support children living in orphanages overseas.
Our work is made possible by the individuals dedicated on our staff. At Spence-Chapin we find joy in celebrating each other, our co-workers and our clients. Everyone is treated with respect and dignity to strengthen the vibrancy of our community. We celebrate a culture of excellence, inclusivity, compassion, flexibility and support. Spence-Chapin offers a competitive benefits package that includes full health benefits, generous PTO and holiday schedule, HRA & FSA plans, life insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave, commuter benefits, and more. Being part of the Spence-Chapin team is being part of a legacy, which for more than 110 years has been providing critical services to children, women, and families around the world.
- Key Performance Indicators
- Provide direct client services/social services that require the use of clinical skills and judgement
- Provide "options counseling" to pregnant and postpartum women considering adoption for their new-borns and young children
- Visit clients in the hospital and at home as needed
- Represent the agency at hospitals; discharge babies from hospitals to the agency's interim care program
- Determine client's need for services and make referrals to resources outside of the agency
- Gather bio-psycho-social background information, formulate assessments and write histories
- Educate clients on best practices in adoption. Guide clients in planning, including making a hospital plan, matching with adoptive families, reviewing legal documents and securing an optimal post surrender contact plan
- Participate in adoptive placement and reuniting infants with their biological families
- Provide short-term, supportive and bereavement counseling to clients who have placed a child
- Actively participate in weekly supervision with direct supervisor
- Perform any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor
- Participate in organization-wide events
- Educate clients on best practices in adoption. Guide clients in planning, including making a hospital plan, matching with adoptive families, reviewing legal documents, and securing an optimal post surrender contact plan
- Participate in adoptive placement and reuniting infants with their biological families
- Recruit clients who are pregnant or who have recently given birth need Spence Chapin's options counseling services
- Strengthening existing relationships and build new relationships with relevant healthcare and social service organization
- Solicit and book trainings about Spence-Chapin's services with relevant health care and social service organizations
- Educate local schools, religious organizations, and social service providers about SC's adoption programs
- Provide short-term, supportive and bereavement counseling to clients who have placed a child
- Actively participate in weekly supervision with direct supervisor
- Perform any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor
- Participate in organization-wide events
- Bi-monthly coverage of birth parent inquire phone
- Outreach and Trainings
- Provide birth parent outreach, education and training to professionals at local hospitals, clinics and social service organizations
- Strengthen existing relationships and take initiative to identify and build new relationships with healthcare and social service organizations through phone calls, emails, direct mail, site visits, community events and in-service presentations (virtual and in person)
- Education and Experience
- MSW from an accredited school of social work
- A minimum of two years MSW experience
- NYS license to practice social work
- Must have a valid driver's license and clean driving record
- Experience in adoption and/or pregnancy counseling preferred; must have at least one- year counseling
Technical Skills
- MS Office - Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience with database platforms and entering case notes
- Driver willing to drive in the NY Metro area and surrounding counties
Key Competencies
- Must be open and flexible to demands of on-call schedule and field work including weekends and some evenings
- Demonstrated clinical and supervisory experience
- Strong oral and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills with ability to meet tight deadlines
- Ability to multitask; strong execution skills; thorough follow through and attention to detail
- Strong analytical skills; critical thinking and problem solving
- Experience working with domestic violence mental illness, homelessness, foster care, and substance abuse a plus
- Spanish or Mandarin speaking a plus
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