Homefinding Recruiter

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.

About the role

The Homefinding Recruiter is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies designed to recruit foster and adoptive parents for children and youth served by the foster care program. The recruiter will have a basic knowledge of the operations of the Homefinding/Intake process and will assist with the training (National Training and Development Curriculum) required to certify and approve foster/adoptive parents. The recruiter will undertake collaborative efforts to identify, support, and engage appropriate foster/adoptive parents and assist the Homefinding/Intake/Training Department with the matching process by identifying suitable homes for children and youth served by the agency.

Responsibilities

• Attend recruitment events to connect with potential foster families.
• Perform comprehensive assessments of prospective foster/adoptive families.
• Conduct initial home visits to assess the viability of potential foster homes according to New York State and agency regulations.
• Become familiar with NTDC and LGBTQ training curriculum and facilitate NTDC and LGBTQ trainings.
• Assist with facilitating foster/adoptive parent orientations in person and/or virtually.
• Utilize public relations, media contacts, and community resources to assist in recruitment activities.
• Participate in the screening and investigative process of prospective foster families.
• Assist with the foster home reauthorization process.
• Review and ensure that submitted applications and forms are thoroughly completed and submitted for processing in a timely manner.
• Make initial contact with prospective foster/adoptive families within 24 to 48 hours of inquiry.
• Support recruitment efforts at community and neighborhood events while generating enthusiasm within the agency and community around foster parent recruitment and retention.
• Follow up with applicants within 24–48 hours after each orientation meeting.
• Other duties as required by department director and supervisor.

Requirements

• 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 of experience in Homefinding/foster care and/or adoption.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• 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 a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel in and around the Long Island region.

Preferred Qualifications

• NTDC certification is a plus.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 35 hours per week, hybrid/in-field position based in Wading River, NY. It requires routine travel throughout Suffolk and Nassau County and flexibility in scheduling, including weekend and evening work.