JOB POSITION: FAMILY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Reports to:  Executive Director

Goals

To support the Executive Director in accomplishing the overall mission of Adoption Ministry of YWAM by equipping Christian families to adopt children.  To develop training sessions to meet the needs of adopting families, to ensure proper pre and post placements are done with excellence and in a timely manner, and to provide counsel to birth mothers in selecting an adoptive family and formulating a Communication Agreement.  To support the adoptive family until they are matched with a child as well as being with them during the hospital stay for a birthmother adoption, and to provide ongoing encouragement and resources to families with a foster child or international placement.  To provide post placement assessment and implement strategies of connectedness to the ministry for families who adopt and foster adopt.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with Introduction meeting once a month
  
  
• Set training calendar every three months
  • oversee all adoptive family training

• Review completed application
  
  
• if meet criteria, set up interview

• Interview family

• Present family to staff with recommendation

• Send out acceptance or denial letter
  • if accepted, include homestudy material and training calendar
  • if denied, clearly state reasons in letter
    
    
• Organize tracking of all required training and paperwork

• Homestudy and profile oversight
  • Upon receipt of completed homestudy materials
    • assign to social worker
    • determine with social worker estimated date of completion
    • ascertain social worker’s assessment of family during process
      
      
• Oversee family’s profile development
  • give written parameters
  • encourage workshop participation
  • require critique before final binding

• Put family’s picture and one page letter on web site once homestudy is finished

• Present families to staff meeting to be prayed for at least once a month
  • send an encouraging note after prayer
    
    
• Matching birthmother with adoptive family
  • Become familiar with birthmother’s information in file
                            1)  assess communication parameters
                            2)  if applicable, assess racial/age parameters
  • With input from Birthmother Counselor identify three (3) potential profiles
  • Meet with birthmother and Birthmother Counselor and introduce three families
    • outline strengths
    • explain communication parameters
  • Call families to be presented if 1) they request, or 2) any unusual circumstances, i.e., financial, racial, disabilities, communication
  • Interface with birthmother and chosen adoptive family
    • inform every adoptive family considered of birthmother’s choice
    • coordinate with Birthmother Counselor initial meeting with birthmother and chosen adoptive family
    • pray daily for family and birthmother and send card to adoptive family every four weeks
  • Coordinate with Birthmother Counselor a meeting with birthmother to set up pre-birth communication guidelines
    
    
• Communication Agreement
  • Four to six weeks prior to birth, ascertain from birthmother her wishes for post-birth communication
  • Personal meeting with adoptive family to communicate the birthmother’s wishes for communication and draft a proposed Communication Agreement
  • Personal meeting with birthmother and Birthmother Counselor to present proposed Communication Agreement and receive additional suggestions/direction from birthmother
  • Type Communication Agreement and submit to both parties for acceptance and signature
    • give both parties an original copy
    • place copies in both birth mother file and adoptive family file
      
      
• If birthmother chooses to submit Communication Agreement as a legal document
  • use court approved legal document format
  • have attorney critique document
  • be aware attorney may give counsel to adoptive family
  • assure excellent communication is maintained between all parties
    
    
• Hospital oversight
  • Four to five weeks before due date, Birthmother Counselor and Family Development Director will meet with adoptive family to go over hospital plan and expectations
  • Birthmother Counselor will inform Family Development Administrator when birthmother is in labor
    1. contact adoptive family
    2. implement Hospital Plan
  • Be a visible presence during hospital stay
                         1)  be in constant communication with Birthmother Counselor
                         2)  interface with hospital staff on behalf of adoptive family
                         3)  interface with Birthmother Counselor on behalf of adoptive family
  • Attend dedication ceremony if applicable
  • Day of discharge, be at hospital by 9 or 10 a.m. until baby is with adoptive family
            

• Follow-up of Adoptive Family
  
  
  • call day following placement
    • 1)  communicate desires of birthmother for phone calls
  • call after one week and communicate desire of birthmother for continued phone calls or visitation (if applicable).
  • coordinate with Birthmother Counselor any visitation between birthmother and adoptive family and be available for supervision
  • inform social worker of birth and the need for post-placement report after child has been in home 90 days (no sooner)
    • send social worker identifying information of birth parents, date of birth,
                name of child, etc.
  • call attorney to get date for finalization and mark calendar and inform birthmother counselor
  • one month before finalization, have secretary order subscription to Adoptive Family magazine
  • get card signed by all staff to include with gift to be given at finalization
  • attend adoption finalization
  • personal visit after four months with agency assessment questionnaire

Reports To: Executive Director of YWAM and Operations Director of Adoption Ministry

Goals

To work closely with the Executive Director of YWAM and management teams to accomplish the goals laid out by the Board of Directors for Adoption Ministry of YWAM and New Beginnings Home through the development of fundraising strategies for both ministries. To pursue funds through foundations by developing relationships and applying for grants, and to develop sound promotional strategies for New Beginnings Home, Adoption Ministry, and adoption in general. To assist the Executive Director in recruiting identified staff and assist the Executive Director with speaking engagements within the community. To promote adoption and orphan ministries within the church as well as provide maternity home and adoption resources to churches and para church organizations, and to develop promotional materials with input from management staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a budget for both organizations to be submitted to the Executive Director of YWAM and the Operations Director of Adoption Ministry that outlines the cost of implementing development strategies
  
• Implement the fundraising strategies suggested by the Board of Directors of both ministries
  
• Develop teams to assist with fundraising strategies
  
• Assess effectiveness of current fundraiser's and propose improvements and/or alternative strategies
  
• Attend weekly staff meeting
  
• Become educated about orphan ministries within the local church and develop a plan to introduce such ministries
  
• Seek speaking opportunities with civic organizations and faith based entities
  
• Become visible in the Non-profit Center
  
• Become familiar with foundations that are favorable to children, adoption, and maternity case management and establish relationships with key people to seek funding through grant proposals
  
• Develop sound strategies to heighten visibility of both ministries within the community
  
• Plan and schedule a systematic calling plan for community businesses and ministries.

• Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior and exhibition of Christian fruit and integrity in attitudes and actions
  
• Completed Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School
  
• Administrative/organizational skills
  
• Writing/communication skills
  
• Positive personal interactions
  
• Public speaking skills
  
• Program development ability
  
• Grant writing experience preferred

• Support and encourage the Directors and all other staff
  
• Ability to show Christian compassion and encouragement
  
• Positive attitude
  
• Teamwork
  
• Commitment to the mission of Adoption Ministry and New Beginnings Home
  
• Faithful attendance in a local church
  
• Committed to the institution of adoption, the sanctity of human life, and sexual
• abstinence outside of marriage

Evaluation

The Development/Promotion Director will be evaluated by the Executive Director of YWAM and the Operations Director of Adoption Ministry 90 days after starting work, again at six months, and annually thereafter.

Reports to: Executive Director of YWAM

Goals

To assist the Executive Director and his wife with the education, entertainment, and babysitting of their children to allow the children’s parents to devote structured time to their ministry of counseling unwed mothers, developing and mentoring house parents, community promotion of New Beginnings Home and Adoption Ministry, hospitality, directing the birth mother counseling program, and administering the food bank.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Caring for three children: an 8-year-old girl and 4-year-old twin boys
  
• Assist parents in transportation of children
  
• Light housework
  
• Playing and reading to children
  
• Supervising outdoor play
  
• Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Some weeknights would beexpected periodically
  
• Some meal preparation
  
• Support the house rules established by the parents

• Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and exhibition of Christian fruit and integrity in attitudes and actions
  
• Completed Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School
  
• Understanding of and dedication to the ministry of New Beginnings Home and Adoption Ministry
  
• Love of children
  
• Good role model and mentor to children
  
• Good verbal communication skills
  
• Ability to plan and execute recreational and craft activities
  
• Good physical health and energy
  
• Valid driver’s license

• Be a positive support to the children’s parents
  
• Ability to show Christian compassion and encouragement
  
• Positive attitude
  
• Teamwork
  
• Faithful attendance in a local church
  
• Committed to the institution of adoption, the sanctity of human life, and sexual abstinence outside of marriage
  

JOB POSITION: MATERNITY HOUSE PARENTS

Reports to: Director of YWAM

Goals

To create a peaceful and nurturing home atmosphere for unmarried pregnant women. To support young women during their pregnancy through friendship counseling and provide a Christian family role model. To help plan post partum support systems, nutritious meals and reasonable exercise. To be firm but loving in relationships, realizing many women will come with problems associated with men, authority, and deep hurts. To integrate the pregnant women into family life by providing recreational times as well as household responsibilities. To bring the women to church and commit to pray for each person in the home. To arrange transportation to medical and other appointments and provide oversight of social engagements. To work closely with and help implement the policies and goals set forth by the YWAM Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual leadership to young women and oversee devotions.
• Accept responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the home and care of the young women.
• Maintain upkeep on house and vehicles as much as abilities allow.  Request repairs as needed.
• Maintain a comfortable and clean house, enlisting the assistance of the residents.
• Schedule activities, outline responsibilities, and facilitate special programs.
• Help the young women with appointments and other responsibilities.
• Know where each young woman is when she is outside the home.
• Monitor leisure activities including TV, internet, music, phone calls and people visiting.
• Provide a means of physical exercise and recreation to the women.
• Set an example of a loving Christian couple, able to guide and direct a family situation.
• Assist each woman to develop her gifts and talents by recognizing such gifts and lending encouragement and praise.
• Enroll each young woman in the local school or GED program if necessary.  Assist with homework.
• Maintain necessary contact with teachers and attend conferences and school functions.
• Maintain an attitude that promotes availability to the young women.
• Try to be aware of each young woman’s emotional needs; work to help them enter into the activities of the home and improve their self-image.
• Enforce family guidelines and discipline in a loving manner.
• Set up and maintain work schedules geared to running an efficient home.
• Assign daily household duties to all women.
• Assume responsibility for food budget and ensure proper food supply and management of funds.
• Plan and supervise preparation of well-balanced meals.
• Be willing to assist women through labor and delivery if birth coach is unavailable.
• Teach women good habits for personal hygiene and home maintenance.
• Minister to boyfriends and/or birthfathers and parents as opportunities arise.
• Attend workshops or conferences that are recommended to increase skills and staff development.
• Make all necessary medical appointments and provide or arrange transportation to all necessary appointments andctivities.
• Maintain an up-to-date medical file on each young woman.
• Notify appropriate people in a medical or other emergency to include the birth of her child.
• Assist each resident throughout her pregnancy and determine when it is necessary
  to go the doctor, emergency room, etc.
• Supervise the Houseparent Assistant.

• Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior and exhibition of
  Christian fruit and integrity in attitudes and actions
• Complete YWAM’s Discipleship Training School (preferred)
• Be over 23 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate.
• Have a valid “Class 1 or 2” driver’s license.
• Be capable of providing leadership and spiritual guidance to each of the young women according to her specific needs.
• Be married for a minimum of 3 years.
• Have a neutral stance on adoption vs. single parenting.
• Provide evidence of financial responsibility.
• Have a sympathetic understanding of each young woman and her unique situation.
• Demonstrate a parenting style that involves high acceptance, consistency, and appropriate discipline.
• Have no criminal record or recent history of drug or alcohol involvement.

• Support and encourage all staff
• Submit to the YWAM Director for final decision
• Ability to show Christian compassion and encouragement
• Positive attitude
• Teamwork
• Ability to delegate
• Commitment to the mission of New Beginnings Home
• Faithful attendance in a local church
• Committed to the institution of adoption, the sanctity of human life, and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.

Evaluation

The Houseparents of New Beginnings Home will be evaluated periodically by the YWAM Director.

JOB POSITION: SOCIAL WORKER AND STAFF ASSISTANT

Reports To:  Executive Director and Maternity Houseparents

Goals
To support pregnant women by offering resources and counseling, and to meet weekly with pregnant women to help them make a parenting decision. To provide support to the entire birth family throughout the pregnancy and to be with the birthmother during birth and her hospital stay. To provide ongoing postpartum counseling for those women choosing adoption and to develop and initiate group therapy and social interactions with other birthmothers. To assist the maternity houseparents as needed with transportation, Christian character training, food preparation and other needs as they arise. To actively support the ministry goals of Adoption Ministry of YWAM and New Beginnings Home.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling for pregnant women considering adoption
• Make recommendations to the Director regarding social service needs.
• Develop pre and post placement services for birthmothers
• Participate in family in-service seminars.
• Develop birthmother support events
• Develop positive relationships with area caseworkers
• Share about adoption in area high schools or other venues
• Build positive relationships with the pregnant girls living at New Beginnings
• Provide respite care for maternity houseparents one weekend and three evenings a month
• Support pregnant women during birthing classes as needed
• Facilitate hospitality and offer friendship counseling for extended families of women living at New Beginnings
• Aid the houseparents in the day-to-day operation and management of the maternity home

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Masters or Bachelors level degree in psychology, social work or related field
• Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and exhibition of Christian fruit and integrity in attitudes and actions
• Completion of Discipleship Training School of Youth With A Mission (preferred)
• Assessment/diagnostic ability
• Administrative/organizational skills
• Positive personal interactions
• Training/public speaking skills (preferred)
• Writing/communication skills

Job Description / Social Worker and Staff Assistant
Page Two

• Program development skills
• Knowledge of child development processes, transitional issues, and community resources
• Experience involving supervision of teenagers or working with youth (preferred)
• Aptitude to work with expectant mothers
• Completion of a Discipleship Training School with YWAM is strongly recommended

Expected Attitudes

• Support and encourage executive staff and be willing to yield to the maternity houseparents in their oversight of the home
• Ability to show Christian compassion and encouragement
• Positive attitude
• Teamwork
• Commitment to Adoption Ministry of YWAM and New Beginnings’ goals
• Faithful attendance in a local church
• Neutral regarding the options of adoption versus single parenting for unmarried pregnant women
• Committed to the institution of adoption, the sanctity of human life, and sexual abstinence outside of marriage

Length of Commitment
Two years

Reimbursement       
This is a volunteer position with the ministry.  Room and board as well as a vehicle to be used for ministry purposes is provided. 

Hours
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along with three evenings and one week-end every month to allow a respite for houseparents.  Some occasional Saturday activities may need to be scheduled, in which case a regular work day off will be supplemented.

Evaluation
The social worker/staff assistant will be evaluated after 90 days, again at six months and twelve months and annually thereafter.  Evaluations will be conducted by the Social Services Supervisor and/or the Executive Director with input from the maternity houseparents.

JOB POSITION: MINISTRY ADMINISTRATOR

Reports to: Operations Director

Goals

To support the Director and other ministry staff in accomplishing the overall mission of Adoption Ministry of YWAM through efficient office administration. To ensure each adoptive family and birth family has knowledge of available resources and opportunities and a continued sense of connection to the ministry. To offer general encouragement to adoptive families and birth families and facilitate communication with appropriate Adoption Ministry staff. To administrate all family records and databases to ensure accuracy and completion. To oversee the daily work of the Adoption Ministry office and recruit and train volunteer help.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Open office at 9 a.m. and close office at 5 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
• Ensure proper phone coverage 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and answer/forward all incoming emails.
• Assist Director with implementation of fund development strategy.  Proofread and correct all fundraising mailings.  Ensure timely mailing.
• Recruit, select, train and nurture volunteers for administrative services and special events.
• Assist Executive Director in coordinating Family Introduction (orientation).
• Distribute family paperwork, such as initial packets, applications, homestudy, etc.
• Set up and maintain adoptive family files, facilitate criminal background clearances and oversee completion of training classes.
• Cooperate with the Executive Director with the scheduling, planning and promotion of family in-service seminars.
• Keep spread sheets of adoptive families current.
• Maintain updated personnel files.
• Family database tracking, updating and administration.
• Yearly report of adoption statistics.
• Maintain accurate mailing list of supporters.
• Create and maintain annual calendar of events in conjunction with Executive Director.
• Update scrapbook.
• Design and initiate office procedures to streamline efficiency.
• Assist Director with coordination of all special events.
• Assist Director to set up monthly board meeting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior and exhibition of Christian fruit and integrity in attitudes and actions
• Completed Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School
• Knowledge of computer databases and spreadsheets (Word, Excel, Access)
• Administrative/organizational skills
• Assessment ability
• Writing/communication skills
• Program development skills
• Positive personal interactions and phone and email etiquette.

Expected Attitudes

• Support and encourage the Executive Director and all other staff personnel
• Initiative in developing procedures for efficient administration
• Ability to show Christian compassion and encouragement
• Positive attitude
• Teamwork
• Commitment to the Adoption Ministry of YWAM’s mission
• Faithful attendance in a local church
• Committed to the institution of adoption, the sanctity of human life, and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.

Performance Evaluation

• Accomplishment of above stated goals and position purpose
• Ability to be a team player to accomplish the overall mission of Adoption Ministry of YWAM
• Cooperation with co-workers and supervisor

Formal Evaluations

• 90 days