Who We Are

Joining Hands Visitation (JHV) is a supervised visitation agency focused on children in the foster care system of the Children’s Administration of the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF/CA) in Washington state. Our mission is to help reunite foster care children with their non-custodial or biological parents and to provide support for their family’s independence – building stronger family ties and better futures one child at a time.

We provide visitation services 7 days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm, not including travel time. We are seeking passionate, team-oriented individuals to work full-time, 40 hours per week, who are dedicated to helping foster care children and their families succeed and evolve. All JHV employees have the responsibility for developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment as well as providing culturally appropriate services. Employees’ treatment of each other and their client and their willingness to try new ways and ideas contribute greatly to the organization’s success in providing an open, culturally-enriched and diverse workplace.

PCV STAFF SUPERVISION

The PCV Team Leader shall provide and document regular and ongoing supervision of all PCV staff who deliver visit services under the current contract with DCYF/CA social worker. Required supervision activities include the following:

• The PCV Team Leader shall ensure that staff supervision occurs, at a minimum, once every two weeks by dropping in on visits and observing staff in action.
• Reviewing and advising staff of his or her performance on DCYF/CA social worker standards as outlined below:
  • Timely submission of all reports to the DCYF/CA social workers
  • Maintaining safety and proper supervision levels in visit
  • Safeguarding parent, caregiver and provider confidentiality
• Conducting bi-weekly discussions with PCV staff concerning visit services performance with respect to:
  • The quality of the visit
  • Any concerns regarding the visit
  • Appropriate response to safety and other risks
  • Maintaining professional boundaries with families
  • Changes needed for the next visit
  • Cultural differences of the families and how their needs are being addressed

The PCV Team Leader shall document the results of each performance review in each employee file. Documentation of employee performance should include the following:

• Dates of staffing
• Performance scorecard that outlines areas that performance excels and areas that can be improved
• Employee Performance Improvement Plans that outline specific actions to be taken, timeline for completion, and date performance concerns on specific issues were resolved
• Ongoing progress report of employee performance and performance improvement plans

PCV QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Conducting bi-monthly discussions with Foster Parents and Bio Parents respectively concerning visit services performance with respect to:
• The quality of the visit
• Any concerns regarding the visit
• Appropriate response to safety and other risks
• Maintaining professional boundaries with families
• Changes needed for the next visit
• Cultural differences of the families and how their needs are being addressed
• And any and all conflict resolution needed to ensure all needs are being met appropriately.

SUPERVISED VISITATION

The PCV Team Leader will also be required to meet all qualifications and guidelines with respect to the performance of visit services, and he or she will need to provide supervised visitation support as needed in the event of an emergency or staffing shortage.

The PCV Team Leader is responsible for cultivating the following capabilities and performing the following duties:

• Adapts to change and works independently.
• Cultivates awareness of and utilizes community resources.
• Maintains professional boundaries with clients and families at all times.
• Provides one-on-one contact with children in the foster care system of the Children’s Administration of the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF/CA) and their DCFY/CA social worker.
• Transports children to and from their foster home to a visit with their biological parents in a pre-determined, secure location. The location of the visit may vary, including the JHV facility, a public space such as a mall, park, restaurant, or swimming pool; a relative’s home, a caregiver’s home, or the parent’s home.
• Communicates with parents and foster parents regarding child’s whereabouts at all times
• Supervises the entire visit, notes any relevant observations, and compiles a summary report that is submitted to the child’s social worker following each visit. These reports track the parent-child interaction and the family’s progress towards reunification.
• Attends JHV staff meetings and supplemental trainings as required
• Maintains open and clear communication with PCV Supervisor/Coordinator, Executive Director, and administrative staff regarding all information pertaining to clients and families.
• Serves as a Mandated Reporter by law (RCW 26.44.030) and reports suspected child abuse or neglect to PCV Supervisor or JHV Executive Director immediately so the suspected abuse can be promptly reported to Children’s Protective Services (CPS).
• Communicates serious incidents to Executive Director and DCYF/CA social worker immediately and provides Serious Incidents Report documentation promptly
• Ensures that clients are protected in all instances of confidentiality in regards to all information relating to clients or former clients, including the fact that a person is or has been a client. Information may be given only with current consent signed by the client or legally responsible other, except for disclosures permitted under relevant statute (69.54, 70.96A, 72.23 RCW, 71.24 RCW) or regulations 275-55, 275-56, and 275-19 WAC.
• Performs other duties as reasonably assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. At least 21 years of age
2. High School diploma or GED
3. 4 years documented experience working with children and families in the following settings (these 2 years may include volunteer time or internship)
4. Department of Early Learning (DEL) licensed in-home or facility based daycare
5. School setting
6. A child placing agency, residential care program, or as a licensed foster parent
7. Conducted supervised visits
8. Working as staff directly with children and families in a community services organization such as the YMCA, a scouting organization, or sports program.
9. Formal education in human services or related field may substitute for years of documented experience:
10. Associate’s Degree or 2 years of completed coursework towards a Bachelor’s degree AND 2 years of documented experience as outlined above
11. Bachelor’s Degree AND 1 year of documented experience as outlined above
12. Clearly documented skills and knowledge in the areas of child safety, safety assessment, problem-solving, crisis intervention, and effective staff supervision
13. At least 2 written references from prior employers documenting his or her skills in working with children.
14. Completion of the following training courses offered for free by the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence (www.allianceforchildwelfare.org):
15. Caregiver Core Training (CCT)
16. Fostering Children & Youth Through Transition, Grief, & Loss: Helping Children with Their Feelings
17. Verbal De-escalation
18. Cultural Diversity for Foster Parents & Caregivers: Being Culturally Responsive to Our Children & Youth of Color
19. All course completion certificates must be provided to the agency for personnel files
20. Current proof of certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Blood Borne Pathogens.
21. Training offered for free by Keep the Beat is available once CCT training is complete and is highly recommended (www.keepthebeatcpr.net)

REQUIREMENTS

1. Reliable Vehicle equipped with appropriate safety devices and seat belts
2. Clear Driver’s Abstract
3. Valid Driver’s License
4. Proof of Auto Liability Insurance
5. Pass Department of Social & Health Servicer (DSHS) Background Check AND Washington State Patrol Criminal Background Check
6. Availability to work 7 days a week
7. Flexibility to work evenings, nights, or weekends
8. Proof of negative TB test within the past year
9. Copy of High School Diploma, GED, or Degree

COMPENSATION

1. Training is compensated at current minimum wage.
2. Starting wage is $13 per hour plus mileage reimbursement for the first 90 days.
3. After 90 days and if all performance outcomes are met, employee wages are subject to review and a potential increase plus mileage reimbursement.
4. After 90 days of full employment, full medical, dental, vision and 401 K benefits are available for enrollment.