Foster Care Specialist Job Description
Purpose: Provide case management, counseling, assessment and supportive services to foster families and foster children. To provide recruitment and retention services to foster families.
Job Responsibilities:
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Complete home studies, and home study updates for foster families and adoptive families
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Provide in-home visitation and case management, phone support and crisis management to an assigned caseload of foster families and children.
- Provide ongoing counseling, case management, support and education for foster care families
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Assess child safety, well-being, and placement stability
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Attend Family Team Meetings and court hearings, as needed
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Participate in foster family support groups and trainings
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Support bridging and reunification goals when appropriate
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Raise awareness in the faith community about the scriptural mandate regarding foster care and adoption.
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Provide post adoption and/or post placement support or counseling to foster families
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Manage and maintain appropriate case files per agency, and state policy
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Recruit new families for the contract foster care program
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Assist with event planning and coordination, including fundraisers and workshops
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Participate in after-hours on-call rotation
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Various marketing and PR activities for the agency
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Requires regular driving within the service area to conduct home visits, attend meetings, and provide case-related support.
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Participate in ongoing professional development and required trainings.
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Other tasks as assigned
Wage Classification:
Salaried
Financial Justification for the Position:
The position is funded through the foster care contract. There are sufficient funds for this position from the foster care contract.
Work Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., some evenings and weekends for client visits, foster parent trainings, and/or recruitment.
Reporting:
This position reports to the Foster Care Program Director.
Desired Character Strengths:
Compassion, Dependability, Discernment, Discretion, Flexibility, Sensitivity, Thoroughness, Sincerity, Justice, Responsibility, Availability, Truthfulness
Education/Training:
Master’s level degree in social work, psychology or a human services related area of study; or
Bachelor’s level degree in sociology, social work, psychology, child development with at least one year of work in the human services field; or Bachelor’s level degree in any field with at least two years of work in the human services field.
Competencies/Requirements:
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Willingness to agree to and abide by all policies and procedures including OP406 Code of Ethical and Christian Conduct and OP412 Faith Engagement.
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Strong organizational skills
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Ability to assess and evaluate family and interpersonal functioning
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Understanding and knowledge of family and systems theories
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Ability to work with the team toward a common a goal
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Ability to use discretion when discussing sensitive or confidential information
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Excellent interpersonal skills
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Ability to schedule and multitask
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Excellent oral and written communication skills
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Good problem-solving skills
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Meet requirements of licensing standards in regard to criminal background check.
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Be physically, mentally and emotionally capable of performing the assigned tasks and have the skills necessary to perform assigned tasks.
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Valid Oklahoma driver’s license
Experience:
At least one or two years of social work practice experience, depending on educational background.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to sit on the floor, bend and be at ground level with children; ability to drive and travel to meet with families.
