Licensing Specialist

About the Role

StepStone Family & Youth Services is seeking a Licensing Specialist to recruit Foster/Adoptive Parents. The role involves developing territories, increasing target populations, creating sales plans, building rapport with potential candidates, and raising community awareness about the need for caregivers. The Licensing Specialist is also responsible for initial state licensing, recertification/approval of foster/adoptive licenses, and managing all caregiver training.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and engage in recruitment and awareness activities to recruit prospective foster/adoptive parents and build community awareness relations.
• Develop and implement proactive, strategic recruitment plans designed to attract and certify qualified candidates while maintaining a pipeline of active and passive candidates.
• Respond to foster parent inquiries within 24 hours via phone.
• Develop strategies to support general, targeted, and child-specific recruitment and marketing efforts.
• Understand and follow all agency and state licensing requirements, ensuring foster parents’ compliance with regulations.
• Assist with and complete the certification process, including required documentation, parent interviews, background clearances, and home inspections.
• Maintain foster parent files in compliance with agency and state regulations.
• Assist in the placement process and successful matching of youth and foster parents based on needs and family strengths.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and adherence to agency policies and licensure ethics.
• Attend company and community meetings to collaborate with referral sources and providers.
• Provide support to the treatment team, including case managers, therapists, foster parents, and youth, to ensure needs are met and placement stability.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of youth in care by monitoring for signs of abuse or neglect.
• Travel to affiliate locations and attend recruitment events as required.
• Participate in implementing Corrective Action Plans for foster parents in conjunction with the program supervisor.
• Provide culturally respectful services that honor each family and youth’s background, heritage, and identity.
• Conduct monthly foster parent record reviews (25% each month).
• Host monthly Foster Parent Meetings and trainings.
• Visit children in their homes at least once monthly, as needed.
• Create and maintain child files and complete monthly reports for each child.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, childhood education, education counseling, or another human service, behavioral science, or public administration field.
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a Child Placing Agency, the Department of Family and Children Services, or a Non-Profit Agency.
• One to two years of experience in Resource Development, Foster Parent Recruitment, and Retention preferred.
• One year of marketing, fundraising, and event coordination experience preferred.
• One to five years of full-cycle recruiting experience in a fast-paced, professional environment preferred.
• Completion of Tier 1 and Tier 2 State Assessor training and maintenance of Assessor certification.
• Strong recruiting mentality and understanding of the recruiting lifecycle from sourcing to filling positions.
• Knowledge of diverse recruiting strategies, including social media platforms.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, energy, and a positive, encouraging attitude.
• Effective at cold calling, pursuing leads, and transforming candidates into licensed caregivers.
• Ability to remain client-focused and use independent judgment in problem-solving.
• Strong interpersonal, project management, and new business development skills.
• Documented track record of achieving targeted objectives.
• Critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and sound business judgment.
• Outstanding telephone presence, written communication skills, and leadership abilities.

About Our Organization

StepStone Family and Youth Services, an affiliate of BrightSpring Health Services, provides comprehensive support to children in need of safer, more positive living environments through residential and family services. StepStone connects children and youth with foster families, offering foster care training, respite care, and support services. For young adults transitioning from foster care, StepStone provides personalized guidance on basic life skills, including money management and education.

Pay

Salary Range: USD $46,000.00 - $47,000.00 per year.