Function: |
| This position is responsible for the certification, re-certification, supervision, and retention of foster homes while also ensuring compliance with all state regulations, contracts, and agency policies and procedures. This position works collaboratively with the foster care team to facilitate placements and transfers of clients served. |
Organizational duties & responsibilities: |
- The primary responsibility of all staff is to ensure the safety and well-being of all Ramey-Estep/Re-group (RE) clients.
- Supports the mission, vision, and values of RE. Facilitates and adheres to the agency’s code of ethics, policies, and procedures.
- Supports all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies.
- Supports and facilitates positive interaction with clients and staff by exhibiting both in-office and in-public when carrying out job duties: individual maturity, respect for others, a team-centered approach, maintenance of confidential information, and awareness and sensitivity to cultural and other differences in clients and staff.
- Exhibits effective communication skills including proper use of agency communication systems.
- Participates in appropriate professional development programs to attain and maintain competency.
- Effectively manages financial and physical resources to achieve the mission of RE.
- Reports incidents of abuse or potential abuse involving clients to the appropriate authorities and RE.
|
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: |
- Maintain assigned foster parent files to meet all regulatory and agency requirements, contractual agreements, and policies and procedures.
- Ongoing monitoring of foster parent adherence to agency and state requirements.
- Assess foster parents’ strengths and needs, conduct and write SAFE Home Studies on the prospective foster parents, and re-certification home studies bi-annually for certified foster parents.
- Coordinate the matching process with Foster Care Program Director or designee to help facilitate compatible placements.
- Work collaboratively with Foster Care Program Director, co-workers, and community partners to plan and present pre-service training to onboarding foster parents and monthly in-service training to certified foster parents.
- Attend all treatment team meetings and be prepared to offer suggestions concerning treatment strategies.
- Participate in recruitment strategies for foster parents (e.g. network with community stakeholders, public speaking, community workgroups, and other pertinent activities).
- Participate in foster parent retention strategies while providing ongoing support to certified foster parents.
- Work collaboratively with DCBS to ensure documentation is provided as requested.
- Facilitates closure of foster homes and ensures foster parents and the state receive a copy of the Home Closure Letter.
- Provide in-home supervision and safety audits to foster parents as assigned.
- Promote a positive view of RE to the public and outside agencies.
- Provides on-call services on a rotating schedule and will be available 24/7 for after-hours intakes, emergencies, and crises that require clinical consultation.
- Ensures that State and agency documentation and all paperwork are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
- Attend training relevant to the position.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
|
Working conditions/environment: |
- 40-hour workweek, typically Monday through Friday, with a flexible schedule.
- Holidays, weekends, and extra hours may be required.
- Meals are provided for staff when on campus.
- Intense, unpredictable population with the possibility of verbal and physical aggression.
- Fast-paced environment with the need for quick decisions to deal with any crisis that may arise.
- Environment is both indoor and outdoor. The environment is at times loud and stressful. Location can vary between foster homes, schools, offices, and other community settings.
|
minimum job requirements: |
Education: | Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field from an accredited school is required. |
Experience: | Prior experience in community-based services is preferred. |
Specific Skills and requirements: | Must be at least 21 years of age.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Some positions may require a valid Driver’s License and insurability.
Must have excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.
Must have excellent leadership skills.
Technical requirements include proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and any other applications used by the organization or regulatory agencies.
Ability to understand and relate to the needs of clients from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to read, write and converse in English.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
Successful completion of a background screening.
Successful completion of a TB skin test or proof of a negative chest x-ray or other documentation. |
Specialized Licenses or training: | Successful completion of Excellent Foundations.
Maintain 40 hours of annual training (including 16 hours of SCM).
Maintain 16 hours of Safe Crisis Management training, meeting all physical requirements unless given an exemption by CEO or designee.
Maintain CPR/1st Aid training. |
Physical Requirements: |
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and smell. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance or run. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. |
Supervisory REquirements: |
| N/A |
