Foster Parent Specialist

Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. We are passionate about the work we do in our communities, providing 31 critical services at 7 locations throughout Virginia.

About the role

This position is responsible for recruiting, assessing, and training qualified foster parents for the Foster Care Program. Travel to the Richmond office may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and implementation of foster parent recruitment and retention plan.
• Identify foster parent training needs and provide ongoing support to families.
• Develop and coordinate foster parent orientation, pre-service training, and/or on-going training.
• Recruit families to provide care for specialized high-needs youth.
• Conduct home studies and certify foster families.
• Make presentations and provide information to community groups as needed.
• Coordinate program participation in cultural festivals and other community events.
• Assist in the development of new program services and placement options as needed.
• Participate as a member of the Placement/Referral Committee to review and approve all placements in the region; may coordinate placements and take referrals.
• Participate in staff training and meetings.
• Provide foster care services for a small caseload in accordance with State Licensing Standards and Program policy and procedures as back-up or in the absence of others.
• Represent the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.
• Utilize a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Requirements

• A doctorate or master's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work such as sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling, with a student placement in casework services to children and families or one year of experience in providing casework services to children and families.
• A baccalaureate degree in social work or a field related to social work including, but not limited to, sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling and one year of experience in providing casework services to children and families.
• A baccalaureate degree in any field plus two years of experience in providing casework services to children and families.
• Foster care experience is strongly preferred.

A case worker trainee would have the same duties and responsibilities but must meet the following conditions:

• The trainee shall have a baccalaureate degree in any field.
• The program director or a child-placing supervisor shall directly supervise the trainee and develop a written training program listing topics to be covered during the period of time the individual is a trainee.
• Placement decisions made by the trainee shall be approved by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Retirement savings: After one year of employment, the agency contributes 4% of your plan year earnings into a savings account for you and will match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of salary if an employee makes contributions to the plan (8% total annual contribution).
• PTO: Earn 16 days off for vacation, sick, or personal time in your first year. This increases to 22 days in your second year and continues to climb every five years.
• Holidays: Eleven paid holidays.
• Other paid leave: Bereavement, short-term disability, long-term disability, and paid parental leave at no cost to employees.
• Virginia Credit Union memberships.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free services including five free confidential consultations with a mental health professional.
• Medical Insurance: A choice of 4 PPO plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency.
• Dental Insurance: A choice of two dental plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency.
• Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance: Paid by agency with option to purchase additional coverage.
• Other insurance benefits: Flexible spending accounts including dependent care, health savings account (for qualified HDHP participants), legal resources.

Pay

$24.00 to $26.00 hourly.