Compensation: $21.00/hour
Buffalo Urban League Foster Care & Adoption
Buffalo Urban League Foster Care and Adoption programs have been providing services to the community for over 35 years. Throughout the years, the Urban League has demonstrated a longstanding tradition of helping vulnerable citizens in our communities because of its commitment to family preservation. It is the Urban League's belief that all children deserve the right to a loving family that can and will provide a stable, healthy, and safe home environment.
When foster care becomes necessary due to a variety of unfortunate circumstances, our primary goal is to implement strategies that result in children being reunited with their families. Foster Care staff work diligently with the children's parents to assist them in successfully completing their Family Court reunification requirements. When reunification efforts are no longer feasible, adoption is pursued to ensure foster children can be placed permanently in adoptive homes where they can maximize their full potential.
Over the years the Urban League has been instrumental in recruiting families who are willing to make a difference in the lives of many children through adoption. Matching children with families is a very important part of our service delivery. The Buffalo Urban League believes that adopting a child is a lifetime commitment, especially considering the traumatic experiences most of the children have endured. Our agency therefore recognizes that it is in the children's best interest to be adoptively placed with families that provide a positive and loving environment and effectively address their needs. As demonstrated by so many of our adoptive families, adoption has brought so much joy to those families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need of permanency.
General Summary:
The Homefinder Case Worker is responsible for identifying, certifying, and supporting foster and adoptive families with the ultimate goal of finding safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for children placed with the Buffalo Urban League. This includes conducting comprehensive home studies and certifications, coordinating training and orientation for prospective families, and maintaining ongoing relationships and compliance with approved homes. The role also requires collaboration with internal departments, community partners, and external agencies to ensure children’s needs for stability and permanency are met. The Homefinder plays a vital role in helping children in care achieve reunification or permanency through adoption when reunification is not possible. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to maintain detailed case records and manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
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Develop and implement ongoing recruitment campaigns to attract foster and adoptive families.
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Distribute promotional materials and conduct presentations in the community to raise awareness and encourage participation.
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Schedule and conduct orientation sessions providing an in-depth overview of the foster care and adoption process.
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Facilitate group training using the NTDC (National Training and Development Curriculum) or similar parenting preparation models.
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Initiate and conduct home studies and evaluations for potential foster/adoptive families.
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Conduct home visits as needed and assist families with required documentation.
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Assess homes for compliance with local and state regulations; make recommendations for certification or re-certification.
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Re-certify existing homes annually.
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Collaborate with internal staff to identify and match certified families with children in need of placement.
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Participate in family certification meetings and provide professional input for placement decisions.
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Maintain accurate and confidential case files, including progress notes, training logs, and home visit reports.
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Submit monthly reports and documentation to supervisors as required.
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Provide crisis intervention and support services to foster families as needed, including coordination of respite care.
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Be available to respond to family or program needs outside of regular hours as necessary.
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Make regular quarterly or as-needed home visits.
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Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.
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Assist with coordinating Parent Support Group meetings and other program-related activities.
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Promote collaboration and open communication among staff to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
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Perform additional duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
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Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field (Master’s preferred).
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Minimum one year of experience in foster care or related child welfare work preferred.
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NTDC trainer certification preferred.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to work with diverse populations in a respectful, culturally sensitive manner.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management software.
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Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills.
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Valid NYS driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
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Direct experience in child welfare services, particularly in foster care, adoption processes, or child protective services, with a clear understanding of state and agency regulations.
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Working knowledge of family support strategies, including engaging families in assessments, home studies, and permanency planning (experience with therapeutic approaches is a plus but not required).
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Familiarity with legal processes related to child welfare, including court documentation, adoption proceedings, and collaborative work with legal professionals or family court is preferred.
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Foundational understanding of child development and family systems, with the ability to apply this knowledge when assessing homes, supporting placements, and communicating with families.
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Technical Proficiency – Maintain up-to-date knowledge of foster care and adoption trends through training, professional networking, and literature.
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Client Focus – Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse families and communities with empathy and cultural awareness.
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Teamwork – Commitment to information sharing and team-based collaboration to enhance service delivery.
