Foster Parent Recruitment & Support Specialist I - Temporary

About the role

The primary role of the FP Recruitment and Retention Specialist is to support and enhance the recruitment and retention efforts of the Diligent Recruitment Plans within the district office. Job duties will be coordinated with the team which includes the Resource Coordinator(s) and District Director.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment:
• Actively engages in recruitment strategies as highlighted in the statewide recruitment plan, including but not limited to:
  • Planning and participating in community recruitment events and programs.
  • Facilitating direct relationship building and engaging outreach to targeted groups such as BIPOC led organizations/projects, LGBTQI+ organizations, hospitals, schools, churches, faith communities, libraries, etc., in the form of mailings, presentations, providing content for newsletters, sharing resources for social media, etc.
  • General or child specific outreach via media, social media (including Front Porch Forum), posting, etc., that is approved by the System of Care Unit.
  • Working with local businesses to distribute marketing materials and spread awareness.
  • Participating and engaging in the local Diligent Recruitment plan and/or meetings.
  • Responding to and following up on all inquiries from the public about fostering, kinship, or respite in conjunction with the Resource Coordinator.
  • Maintaining the Inquiry Tracking Sheet and/or other documents used to facilitate accurate follow-through and to inform future recruitment strategies.
  • Providing consultation to the districts when placements are needed based on knowledge of new inquiries and foster/kinship families.
  • Regularly attending statewide Recruitment and Retention meetings, RC/RRS meetings, and/or local Diligent Recruitment meetings.
  • Actively engaging in and implementing these strategies in the local district.
  • Coordinating/collaborating with the state-wide Recruitment and Retention Specialist to collaborate on resources, strategies, events, and consistent messaging.
• Retention:
• Actively engaging in retention activities as determined by District Director/Assistant District Director in coordination with the Resource Coordinator(s), including but not limited to:
  • Supporting, organizing, and attending FP Recognition Events (picnics, dinners, parties), which may include gathering supplies, gifts, etc., and outreach to facilitate attendance.
  • Helping develop and providing ongoing support to local Foster &/or Kin Caregiver Support groups, meetings, and/or social media groups.
  • Informing Family Service Workers of any supports available to foster and kin caregivers, along with any information learned that is relevant to case planning and safety.
  • Working with Resource Coordinator(s) to develop and distribute district-specific information/updates, which may be in the form of a district newsletter, bulk email updates, and/or more personalized email engagement with all.
  • Supporting the state-wide biweekly newsletter distributed by Central Office by contributing to the content when applicable and encouraging readership.
  • Supporting and responding to current foster parents on a regular basis as determined by District Directors in coordination with the Resource Coordinator(s), with ongoing engagement and assessment being the focus.