Position Summary The Foster Care (FC) Family Specialist will provide family support and case management services to foster families and the foster children placed in their homes and ensure all foster homes are compliant with DSS regulations. The FC Family Specialist caseload will include a caseload of up to 15 children placed in foster care in addition the FC Family Specialist will have assigned foster families awaiting placement and respite families. The FCFS will participate in the licensing of new foster families as needed and assist the FCLS with the licensing process. The FC Family Specialist will act as a liaison between the Department of Social Services and other school/medical/community organizations and will advocate for the needs of foster families and children placed in foster care. The FC Family Specialist will ensure the provision of quality services to foster families and children using established Thornwell TrustBased Relational Interventions (TBRI) Council of Accreditations (COA) standards and state and federal guidelines. The FC Family Specialist will assist with ongoing training to ensure foster family retention and highquality care for children placed in Thornwell foster homes.
Core Responsibilities
1) Conduct monthly home visits for all foster children on the caseload to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children. Visits include conducting announced and unannounced visits. 2) Provide ongoing support to foster families to ensure the needs of the foster child and the foster family are met. (e.g. Identifying educational medical therapeutic resources for the foster child communication with DSS childcare etc.) 3) Ensure the safety and wellbeing of placed foster children by being available to assist foster families 24/7 in the event of an emergency or crisis situation. in the event of staff absences Family Specialists may be asked to support families assigned to other Program Family Specialists to ensure continuity of care. 4) Coordinate the placement and discharge of the foster child (communication with DSS and the foster family transfer of records etc.). 5) Participate in child/case planning appointments Foster Care Review board and court hearings as needed. 6) Match foster child referrals with foster families in your caseload. Review child intake referrals and match the child with an appropriate foster family. 7) Participate in weekend/holiday rotation schedule to review incoming child referrals and match the child referrals with available open beds. 8) Ensure all foster homes are compliant with DSS licensing requirements and COA standards at all times. 9) Conduct quarterly home visits with licensed foster families in your assigned caseload and as assigned. 10) Work cooperatively with the Licensing Specialist to license and relicense foster families. Conduct orientation and safety walkthru of the foster home and ensuring all renewal documentation is submitted timely to the Licensing Specialist. 11) Provide thorough accurate and timely documentation of all visits contacts and communication with a foster child or foster family or about a foster child or foster family in the EHR (Credible). 12) Maintain foster child and foster family files with required documentation and case notes using electronic system and hard copy files as appropriate. 13) Develop and maintain professional communication with all DSS staff. 14) Work cooperatively with the Foster Care Team in planning Family Fun Events Regional Trainings/Support Meetings. 15) Assist the Recruitment Coordinator with recruitment events and activities. 16) Assist in establishing quarterly and annual goals and objectives for Thornwell Foster Care Program. Assist in providing monthly activity reports with data collection for grants and outcome measures. 17) Actively participate in Foster Care Team Meetings and all Thornwell All Staff meetings and events. 18) Assist with preservice training and ongoing training for foster and respite families. 19) Communicate regularly with the Foster Care Program Supervisor and the Foster Care Director to ensure that any concerns regarding foster families and children are addressed promptly. 20) Complete other duties as assigned. Working Conditions The Foster Care Family Specialist Will work with assigned families primarily residing in the Specialists designated service region. Temporary coverage of other regions may be required at times due to program staffing and/or growth. This position is an office based at the Thornwell Foster Care Office Myrtle Beach SC. The FC Family Specialist will maintain client files in Thornwells EHR system participate in trainings and event/support meetings with the Foster Care Team. The Foster Care Family Specialist will also work in the foster familys home DSS offices and Court/Foster Care Review Board. The FC Family Specialist will travel daily using their own car and will be reimbursed for mileage from the office at Thornwells defined standard rate and in accordance with Thornwells travel policy. The FC Family Specialist Will utilize a Thornwell issued cell phone device for all work communication and will be available 24/7 to provide support to families in emergency or afterhours situations. Extensive driving is required and mileage is reimbursed at Thornwells established rate. Limited overnight travel for special events and training is required. The FC Family Specialist will be required to use computers with the most frequent applications to include Word Processing Excel Spreadsheets Power Point Video Conferencing and Electronic Note taking system. The FC Family Specialist will work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the families and church/community organizations we serve. Most Special Events will be scheduled in the early evening hours and on Saturdays. This position will require the following physical activity level: sitting standing walking driving setting up/taking down meeting space/exhibit space materials (tables chairs presentation equipment screens and banners) and game playing at Family Fun Events and some public speaking & technical writing.
Qualifications The FC Family Specialist must be committed to supporting foster families that are devoted to establishing a healthy home environment using the principles of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). The FC Family Specialist must possess strong communication skills be able to organize prioritize and implement work activities independently have strong teambuilding skills and desire to grow professionally. The FC Family Specialist must have direct experience working within the communitybased case management field and direct foster care experience is preferred. The FC Family Specialist must have a minimum of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. The FC Family Specialist must have a valid drivers license in the state they reside in.
Skills
1) The FC Family Specialist must have experience working with youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and their families.
2) The FC Family Specialist must possess the ability to engage families in a collaborative strengthsbased manner which promotes the development of family skills and capacities through use of proactive behavioral interventions.
3) Effective problem solving and creative resolution skills.
4) The FC Family Specialist must possess strong organizational strategies to maintain their workflow and ensure responsibilities to families and casework are completed in a manner that is timely and reflects quality work.
5) Strong capacity to build positive relationships with community stakeholders and market the Foster Care program to appropriate sources within the state.
6) The FC Family Specialist must have the capacity to work from a teambased approach and engage in a reflective supervision process.
Thornwell is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians and who possess a Christian commitment as well as concern for children and families in need.
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