Foster Care Recruitment and Emergency Placement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Program Summary:

Child and Family Services (C+FS) Foster Care Program provides temporary, safe, and loving homes for children and supports parents/caregivers in developing the skills they need to achieve family reunification. When reunification is not possible, our program helps secure permanency through adoption. This program plays an essential role in our agency’s 150+ year mission of nurturing a healthier and more equitable Western New York.

Position Summary:

The Foster Parent Recruitment and Emergency Placement Specialist is a dual-role position responsible for recruiting and certifying foster parents for both general and after-hours placement needs. The Specialist also coordinates emergency placements outside traditional business hours and serves as the liaison with Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) for after-hours Child Protective Services (CPS) situations. This role requires flexible availability, including the ability to respond to after-hours placements that occur outside regular business hours including weekends. During the last 12 months, there have been an average of 2 after-hours placement calls per month with an average stay of 3 days.

Major Responsibilities:

Recruitment and Certification

• Respond to inquiries and conduct initial assessments of prospective foster parents
• Actively recruit foster parents through a variety of community engagement and outreach strategies including attendance at community events that may occur during evenings and weekends
• Coordinate and conduct informational meetings (individual and group)
• Facilitate and coordinate initial and ongoing foster parent training sessions
• Become an approved National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) trainer within 12 months of hire
• Complete timely home study assessments and certification documentation
• Maintain accurate training and certification records for all foster homes
• Assist with planning and delivery of foster parent appreciation and engagement events

Emergency Placement & On-Call Support

• Recruit and maintain a pool of certified emergency foster homes and monitor capacity to adhere to ECDSS contractual requirements
• Respond to and coordinate with ECDSS CPS staff and emergency foster homes for after-hours placement needs and be available for telephone consultation on a frequent basis and less frequently for in person consultation
• Regularly communicate with emergency foster homes to ensure they have adequate supplies for immediate placements of children of all ages and support the homes on a regular basis to ensure children’s needs are met
• Facilitate transitions to longer-term placements when applicable
• Must be available 24/7 to address emergency placement needs as communicated by ECDSS or the foster homes unless a preapproved backup coverage plan is in place

General Support and Collaboration

• Maintain open communication with foster families, colleagues, and county partners
• Ensure compliance with all state and agency policies and procedures
• Use required database[s] and other communications protocols to share information with the team and to document foster home openings, reauthorizations, and closures
• Participate in agency quality improvement activities
• Promote cultural sensitivity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care in all interactions

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s in Social Work or related field; Masters in Social Work preferred
• At least two (2) years of child welfare experience required; direct experience in foster care preferred
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends on an on-call basis required
• Experience with emergency response or crisis coordination highly preferred
• Strong communication, organizational, and assessment skills
• Demonstrated commitment to family-centered, trauma-informed care and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with foster parents, program staff, and external healthcare providers.
• Team player mindset with a commitment to working collaboratively within the Foster Care program and across agency departments.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare and social services.

Attributes That May Make You a Great Fit:

• Believe that foster care is a temporary arrangement meant to support children while their families work toward reunification.
• Recognize that foster parents play a key role in ensuring children's health and well-being.
• Are passionate about advocating for vulnerable children and ensuring they receive the best possible medical care.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to access multi-level buildings including multi-level homes
• May be required to lift up to 30lbs when transporting children (infrequent)
• Frequently move about inside and outside the office in reaction to situations and duties.
• Must be able to remain stationary (at the desk) for extended periods of time
• Frequently communicate accurate information with coworkers, Agency staff, & candidates for employment.
• Operate a computer & other office machinery, such as a copy machine, printer and phone system.

Competitive Pay Rate of $25.56 to $28.21 per hour based on education and experience. Based on a 37.5 hours work week.

CFS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
  –20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment)
  –14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays)
  – Bereavement: Four Paid Days
  – Paid Jury Duty
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Medical, Two Plan Options
• Dental, Two Plan Options
• Vision Insurance
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care FSA Retirement
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years

Child & Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Child & Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child & Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.