Foster Parent Support Specialist

About the role

The IPS Foster Parent Support Specialist reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act. They provide exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, and other team members, maintaining discretion regarding client information.

Responsibilities

• Reports any exposure to communicable diseases.
• Sends expense vouchers, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date.
• Ensures weekly filing of all FPSS documents in client files.
• Conducts frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff, referring case agency, and community partners.
• Participates in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
• Requires lived experience in fostering youth or experience in foster care services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides an additional layer of support dedicated to foster caregivers; the individual is a former foster parent who is trained on the impact of trauma and in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) treatment.
• Works with IPS clinicians to provide mentorship for new foster caregivers, supporting the collaborative relationship between the IPS clinician and the family.
• Consults with the IPS supervisor after receiving a referral from an IPS case manager or clinician.
• Participates in IPS provider, school, clinical, and child and family team meetings with caregivers, providing emotional support and understanding, along with advocacy with referring cases, state agencies, and community partners.
• Conducts training on DCFS Rules and Procedures related to foster caregiver responsibilities for youth in care.
• Conducts training on DCFS caregiver rights and processes associated with those rights.
• Provides resources and models Prudent Parenting/Nurturing Parenting Techniques using a trauma/ARC lens.
• Advocates for caregivers working with referring agencies and community providers.
• Teaches foster caregivers how to advocate for themselves and for youths in their care when interfacing with larger systems.
• Participates in quarterly trauma-informed parenting training groups offered by IPS clinicians to caregivers.
• Affirms foster caregivers via the utilization of the Childs and Needs Assessment Tool (CANS).
• Conducts weekly home visits and remote sessions with foster caregivers for the facilitation of services as deemed appropriate.
• Provides onsite and virtual crisis support to foster caregivers as needed.
• Develops and supports monthly foster parent support groups.
• Participates in weekly IPS Check-Ins with all state IPS and FPSS teams.
• Participates in Attachment, Regulation, and Competency training.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required, Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 1 - 3 years of experience in a Foster Parent; parenting training and knowledge of DCFS policies and procedures required.
• 1 - 3 years of experience in childcare work, Social Services, advocacy work with schools/state & private state holders, mentoring, or equivalent combination of education or experience preferred.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record with OHU-required levels of auto insurance coverage.
• Reliable transportation.
• DCFS background clearance.

Benefits

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year.
• Up to 4 weeks paid vacation days, up to 6 paid personal days, up to 5 paid sick days annually, and a Mental Health Day.
• Medical, dental, vision, 403b Retirement, flexible spending accounts, and health savings account.
• Agency paid life and ADD up to $50K based on salary.
• Multiple Voluntary Supplemental plans for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren).
• Voluntary Legal Plans and Pet Insurance.
• The agency paid long-term disability and short-term disability.
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities.

Pay

Details about pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details about the schedule are not specified in the job posting.