Job Summary
The ICWA Family Services Case Coordinator (IFSCC) is a hybrid position within the KIC Indian Child Welfare Program; serving several distinct functions. The IFSCC will coordinate the Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program at the Family Justice Center for Tribal families; leading Tribal foster home recruitment and supporting families through the OCS Southeast foster care licensing process; and developing and delivering community-based ICWA education, parenting programs, and family strengthening initiatives. This position carries a limited caseload consisting exclusively of families actively accessing visitation services. It does not carry traditional ICWA child welfare cases. The IFSCC operates from a trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach and serves as a bridge between KIC families, the Alaska DHSS Office of Children’s Services (OCS) Family Justice Center and the broader Ketchikan community.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Coordinate and facilitate court-ordered and OCS-referred Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange (SV/SE) services for Tribal families through the KIC Family Justice Center.
- Conduct intake assessments and orientations with parents and children; assess family needs, identify safety concerns, and establish visitation expectations and protocols.
- Develop, implement, and monitor visitation and safety plans in collaboration with OCS, ICWA staff, Tribal Court, and other service providers.
- Schedule, supervise, monitor, and document visitation and exchange services, maintaining accurate records, visit notes, incident reports, and confidential case files.
- Carry a limited caseload consisting exclusively of families participating in visitation services and provide case coordination, referrals, advocacy, and support to promote reunification and family stability.
- Participate in Child and Family Team meetings, case consultations, and multidisciplinary staffing to support visitation planning and family progress.
- Ensure visitation services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, child-centered, and consistent with ICWA active efforts and family preservation principles.
- Coordinate services and safety planning for families experiencing domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health concerns, or other elevated-risk circumstances.
- Collaborate with OCS, Family Justice Center partners, Victim Services, Behavioral Health, schools, law enforcement, and community agencies to provide coordinated support services.
- Serve as KIC's primary point of contact for Tribal foster home recruitment efforts and provide support to prospective foster and kinship families navigating the OCS licensing process.
- Conduct relative and kinship searches and assist in identifying ICWA-preferred placement resources in collaboration with OCS and ICWA staff.
- Maintain records of prospective and licensed Tribal foster homes and provide ongoing support to foster and kinship caregivers as appropriate.
- Plan, coordinate, and facilitate culturally informed parenting education, family strengthening activities, and reunification support programs, including Fatherhood is Sacred and Motherhood is Sacred.
- Conduct community outreach and education activities that promote ICWA awareness, foster home recruitment, and available family support resources.
- Assist with the development and improvement of program policies, procedures, protocols, and service delivery practices related to visitation and family services.
- Collect, maintain, and report program, grant, and service data in accordance with funding, legal, and reporting requirements.
- Represent KIC's ICWA Family Services Program through community partnerships, committees, task forces, and public engagement activities.
- Maintain confidentiality and compliance with applicable Tribal, State, Federal, HIPAA, and program requirements.
- Participate in supervision, staff meetings, and professional development activities and perform other related duties as assigned.
Why Join Our Team?
- Make a meaningful impact on children and families in the community.
- Work in a collaborative, culturally focused environment.
- Help strengthen Tribal families through advocacy, education, and support services.
Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)
- Associate’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Two years of experience working in victim services, social services, behavioral health, child welfare, education or related field.
- A combination of relevant experience, education, and training may substitute for education and experience requirements on a year-for-year basis.
- HeartSaver First Aid CPR card within 30-days of hire.
- Pediatric CPR and First Aid card within 30-days of hire.
- Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)
- Bachelors’ degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Four years of experience working in victim services, social services, behavioral health, child welfare, education or related field.
- Experience in community clinic preferred and a strong commitment to multi-disciplinary teamwork.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), Tribal sovereignty, and family preservation principles.
- Knowledge of supervised visitation and safe exchange best practices, including child safety, family-centered services, and trauma-informed care.
- Knowledge of community resources, social service programs, and support services available to children and families.
- Knowledge of Southeast Alaska Tribal cultures, traditions, values, and family systems.
- Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics and the impact of trauma on children and families.
- Skill in building positive, professional relationships with children, parents, caregivers, Tribal members, and community partners.
- Skill in conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and managing emotionally charged situations with professionalism and sound judgment.
- Ability to assess family needs, identify barriers to service, and connect families with appropriate resources and referrals.
- Ability to maintain a safe, neutral, and supportive environment during supervised visitation and safe exchange services.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including preparing reports, case notes, and program documentation.
- Ability to facilitate parenting classes, family support activities, and community education programs.
- Ability to work collaboratively with OCS, Tribal programs, courts, schools, law enforcement, and other community service agencies.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable Tribal, State, Federal, HIPAA, and program requirements.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and other software used for case documentation and reporting.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to exercise professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and good judgment when working with families experiencing stress, conflict, or crisis.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends, as required to meet visitation and program needs.
- Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.
- Effective oral and written communication skills with sensitivity to the lifestyles of targeted participants.
- Skills in operating personal computers using a variety of computer software.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).
- Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently as well as with teams.
KIC Core Competencies
Cultural Competency: To be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.
Uphold KIC Values: To make decisions and behave in a manner consistent with KIC Workplace Values of Trust, Teamwork, Respect, and Accountability, as well as Southeast Traditional Tribal Values “Our Way of Life”.
Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for yourself in your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition.
Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers; always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.
Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know; convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing.
Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.
Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The noise level in the work environment is usually average.
