Family Specialist FAS DDD - FT

About the role

RISE is an innovative human services network originally established in 1987. Our purpose and mission remain constant: to create opportunities for and with the people we serve, their families, and for the men and women who work in the Human Services Profession. We specialize in finding and supporting loving and caring families for children and adults in need of foster and/or adoptive homes.

Responsibilities

• Manage a family caseload of 15-20 Foster Parents
• Train and mentor families to provide stable homes for children in the custody of Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) and Division of Developmental Disabilities
• Attend monthly consultations with families including court hearings, FCRBs, CFTS
• Act as a liaison with DCS/DDD
• Advocate and educate families, being a community resource and support
• Be flexible to meet the needs of the families served, including possible evenings or weekends
• Provide objective information for inquiry callers regarding the licensing process
• Aid in scheduling and intake process for potential developmental home families
• Train or facilitate training for potential foster/adoptive families, including on-going and advanced training, and through in-home consultations
• Assist new families through initial licensing or certification process, including compliance with all requirements, documents, and completion of an objective home study
• Perform required home visits and maintain documentation in a standardized file format, adhering to agency and state confidentiality guidelines and laws
• Utilize effective written communication skills; write home studies, renewals, and amendments; complete all documents within required timeframes, including monthly paperwork due to the State and Incident Reports submitted as needed
• Complete renewal applications, amendments and adoption certifications in a timely and professional manner; submit family final application and study within contractual time frames identified by the state
• Submit required billing documents in a timely manner, and review monthly billing for accuracy
• Participate in Behavior Treatment Plan research, writing and submission to DDD Program Review Committee
• Maintain professional support and relationship with assigned families, while ensuring compliance with all licensing requirements, RISE Inc. policies and foster/developmental home expectations for safety and care of children and adults in the home
• Advocate for children and adults in RISE licensed homes, through contact with case managers, support coordinators, including representation at court hearings, foster care review board, team meetings, and staffing
• Seek placement for children and adults in need of homes that can best serve their needs
• Provide mediation and intervention techniques, training on the Child Welfare Act, MEPA-IEPA, and ICWA
• Ensure families have access to crisis and emergency support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, through rotation of an Emergency cell phone and In Day assignment

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in related field of Humans Services or Social Services
• Experience with cultural diversity, assessing a family’s strengths and weaknesses, knowledge of child abuse and neglect and child development, and a working knowledge of Arizona Department of Child Safety and Department of Economic Security/Division of Developmental Disabilities programs
• Effective writing and excellent verbal communication skills
• Bilingual skills verbal and written in Spanish is a plus
• Reliable transportation to attend daily meetings outside of the office
• Valid Arizona driver's license, minimum of twenty-one years of age and meet driver requirements as specified by RISE Insurance Agency
• Able to complete a successful background check, drug screen test and obtain a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card

Benefits

• Vacation and sick accruals
• Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, FSA
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution