Foster Care Homefinding Specialist

About Little Flower

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a human services nonprofit supporting the well-being of children, youth, families, and individuals across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 builds well-being by providing prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and medical and mental health services.

Principle Responsibilities

• Responsible for identifying, planning and attending recruitment events to recruit potential foster/adoptive foster parents
• Designs creative strategies for identifying prospective foster/adoptive parents
• Performs comprehensive assessments of prospective foster/adoptive families
• Conducts initial home visits to assess the viability of potential foster homes according to Administration for Children Services (ACS), New York State and agency’s regulations
• Become familiar with MAPP and LGBTQ training curriculum and be available to facilitate MAPP and LGBTQ trainings
• Assists with facilitating foster/adoptive parents orientation meetings
• Utilizes public relations, media contacts and community resources to assist in recruitment activities
• Participates in the screening and investigative process of prospective foster families
• Assists with the Re-certifying and/or re-approving of foster/adoptive homes
• Reviews and ensures that submitted applications and forms are thoroughly completed and submitted for processing in a timely manner
• Makes initial contact with prospective foster/adoptive families within 24 to 48 hours of inquiry
• Locates and conducts recruitment efforts at community and neighborhood events while generating enthusiasm within the agency and community around foster parent recruitment and retention
• Following-up with applicants within 24–48 hours after each orientation meeting
• Represents the agency at meetings and events hosted by the agency and ACS
• Other duties as required by department director and supervisor

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of two years’ experience in the field of child welfare with at least one year experience in Homefinding/foster care and/or adoption
• Fluency in Spanish
• Ability to work as a team-player
• Skills in identifying and building a network of community relationships
• Ability and skill to speak in public; to inspire, encourage and motivate others to become foster/adoptive parents
• Ability to accommodate flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel in and around the metropolitan New York City region

Preferred Qualifications

• MAPP certification a plus

Travel Requirements

This position offers a full-time, 35 hour per week, hybrid/in field schedule in Brooklyn, NY. It requires routine travel throughout New York City’s Five Boroughs.