Foster Care Licensing Specialist

Foster Care Licensing Worker serving Kent & Kalamazoo counties. Full-time, on-site position.

About the role

You chose social work and child welfare because you believe every child deserves a safe place to belong. You understand that behind every successful foster care placement is a family that was prepared, supported, and equipped to meet the needs of a child. You know that foster care is about more than finding an available bed—it's about finding the right environment, the right support, and the right people to help a child feel safe, valued, and cared for.

As a Foster Care Licensing Worker, you'll play an essential role in creating and maintaining the homes that make healing, stability, and permanency possible. You'll partner with prospective and licensed foster families and biological family members throughout their journey, helping them understand the licensing process, complete home studies, navigate requirements, and prepare for the responsibility of caring for children in foster care. You'll help identify strengths, provide guidance, and support families as they open their homes and hearts to youth in need.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with individuals and families considering foster care, helping them understand the difference they can make in a child's life.
• Guide families through the licensing process, including paperwork, training requirements, home assessments, and key decisions about fostering.
• Meet with biological caregivers and family members to ensure they can provide a safe place for foster children.
• Conduct comprehensive home studies to identify each family's strengths, readiness, and ability to provide safe, nurturing care.
• Support licensed foster homes with ongoing guidance, compliance monitoring, and access to resources and training.
• Contribute to foster parent retention efforts by helping create a strong network of foster families in the community.
• Collaborate with foster care teams, community partners, and licensing agencies to match children with families who best meet their needs.
• Conduct home visits, complete home studies, support licensed foster parents, and coordinate placements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field, required.
• Experience working with children and families.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and auto insurance, required.
• Strong assessment, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to evaluate family strengths, needs, and readiness for foster care.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Commitment to strength-based, family-centered practice.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Employee Assistance Program (SupportLinc).
• Mileage reimbursement for travel.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment.

Pay

Salary starting at $41,500.

Schedule

• Full-time, Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week.
• Business hours with occasional evening visits to accommodate foster parent home visits.
• Office-based with travel to foster care families within the surrounding counties.
• On-call rotation for foster care guardian support, approximately every 7 weeks (paid).