Licensing Foster Care Specialist

About the role

The Foster Care Specialist provides the supports required to stabilize foster care placements and assist foster families in navigating the child welfare system while caring for children placed in their homes. The position involves providing support and consultation services to foster and adoptive families, maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with the child's placing agency, monitoring homes for compliance with contract and state regulations, assisting in placement of foster care youth, participating in CFT meetings, attending court with the family, and participating in Team Decision Meetings.

Responsibilities

• Provides support and consultation services to foster and adoptive families.
• Maintains a positive and collaborative relationship with the child’s placing agency.
• Mainters a home for compliance with contract and state regulations.
• Assists in placement of foster care youth.
• Participates in the Child Family Team (CFT) meetings, attends court with the family, and participates in Team Decision Meetings.
• Facilitates licensing inquiries in the foster homes and monitors Corrective Action compliance.
• Assists families with training requirements.
• Conducts in-person home visits per contract and foster care rule requirements.
• Maintains family licensing records in appropriate state and agency databases according to contract, HRT policy, and rule requirements.
• Provides crisis management.
• Sets up renewal license applications prior to expiration.
• Sets up license amendments, as needed.
• Writes adoption conversion home studies, as needed.
• Rotates on-call services with other staff members.
• Attends training and events as requested by supervisor or other member of the management team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field.
• If no degree, must have two years’ experience with child welfare, human services and/or families.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid unrestricted Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Minimum age requirement is 21 per contract.
• Must meet the requirements to be a safe driver.
• Must possess a current Arizona State Driver’s License and have an acceptable driving record for the past three (3) years.
• Must have personal vehicle liability insurance and vehicle registration as required.
• Must be able to pass a DCS Clearance with no substantiated reports.
• When required, the ability to pass a criminal background clearance check, drug screen, and if requested a physical exam.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
• Strong knowledge of overall company operations and policies and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of the Arizona Foster Care licensing rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to instruct parents regarding child development, family dynamics, Arizona’s child welfare system and behavioral health services.

Qualifications

• Language Skills: Responds effectively displaying professionalism, sensitivity, and empathy to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, and individual differences and challenges. Writes and maintains accurate and timely documentation. Presents information 1:1 and to groups in an organized and concise manner.
• Reasoning Ability: Quickly assesses unique situations and develops and applies strategies to effectively meet the needs of the child and family. Interprets contracts and ensures compliance. Presents information 1:1 and to groups in an organized and concise manner.
• Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Maintains ethical standards and professional boundaries. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality standards. Works independently as well as a member of a team. Remains flexible and able to handle multiple priorities with the ability to adjust to high pressure and rapidly changing business conditions.