Foster Parent Recruitment and Engagement Specialist

Program Summary: Child and Family Services (C+FS) fosters safe and healthy environments for children and families in local homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Our Foster Care and Adoption program identifies and supports safe, stable, and nurturing home environments for children by helping parents develop the skills needed to provide a safe home for their child[ren]. If this is not possible, our dedicated, certified foster parents provide safe and loving homes for children until family reunification is possible. When family reunification is not an option, our program works to achieve permanency for children through adoption.

Position Summary:

The Foster Parent Recruitment and Engagement Specialist works on a team that recruits, screens, engages, retains, train and certifies foster parents. This position also establishes and maintains relationships with foster parents and community partners. The Foster Parent Recruitment and Engagement Specialist will be part of a variety of promotional efforts to increase community awareness of the need for diverse foster homes that meet the needs of children of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds. This position currently offers a hybrid work environment with a combination of an in office, work from home schedule and community-based visits. Candidates will be required to maintain a flexible schedule that includes regular evening hours for home visits and community events.

Our best candidate:

• Believes that:
• Foster care is a temporary arrangement for children and teens in need of a safe place to live when their parents or caregivers are in crisis or otherwise unable to care for their child[ren] in their homes
• Foster parents play a critical role in helping parents maintain relationships with their children so that families can safely reunite
• Has excellent interpersonal engagement skills and can put people at ease quickly over the telephone and in person.
• Is proficient in Microsoft Office programs, demonstrates a commitment to data integrity, and maintains accuracy and attention to detail in the utilization of caseload management system.
• Uses superior organizational skills to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities:

• Share information and conduct initial assessment of prospective foster parents via phone or face to face inquiries
• Coordinate and conduct informational meetings, individually and in groups, for prospective foster parents and participate in recruitment events to recruit potential foster parents
• Disseminate and process resource foster parent applications and handle registrations for group or individualized trainings
• Coordinate and co-facilitate MAPP/GPS training a minimum of three times yearly. Coordination will include issuing invitations, reminders and agenda letters to applicants, assisting in the assignment of MAPP/GPS sections to participating trainers and preparing materials for upcoming trainings
• Complete home study assessment for all prospective foster homes within four months of their application and acceptance to the program; complete home study addendum on an as needed basis
• Coordinate and participate in staff panel to review home-studies, address questions and concerns and make decision to certify/approve potential foster parents
• Maintain a caseload of foster parents and provide on-going support to foster families awaiting placement
• Work in collaboration with the case planner in supporting resource parent’s capacity to meet the needs of the child/children in their home
• Maintain documentation on foster family trainings and ensure training requirements are met annually and schedule and conduct annual re-authorization of foster homes
• Coordinate in-house trainings based on foster family needs and disseminate information to families regarding community based and on-line training opportunities
• Maintain all resources on the CONNECTIONS database to include opening new foster homes, reauthorization of foster homes and closing of foster homes
• Schedule and organize foster family events (foster parent appreciation dinner, summer event) in collaboration with designated staff and/or committee; organization to include solicitation of donations when deemed appropriate, coordination of distributing invitations to the event as well as tracking responses.
• Model and practice sensitivity, fair treatment, and acceptance of diversity in all interpersonal interactions, and show willingness to learn about and implement skills related to diversity
• May be asked to facilitate adoptions for children in the agency’s private infant adoption program
• Participate in a department on-call rotation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Two (2) years' experience in foster care/adoption preferred
• Valid NYS Driver's License required
• Must possess excellent interviewing, assessment, and oral and written communication skills. In addition to strong interpersonal skills in person and on phone
• Must be flexible to work evening and weekend hours as needed
• Knowledge of computer programs (Microsoft Office) and ability to enter statistical and demographic data into case management database
• Must be flexible, able to work independently within a team environment and be willing to adapt responsibilities according to program needs
• Ability to manage time to complete activities and projects
• Must be willing and able to travel to and work in a variety of settings, including telecommunicating, CFS office, home visits and community events.
• Must be willing to occasionally travel outside of WNY for statewide meetings, home visits and professional development opportunities

Competitive Salary of $40,000 per year based on a 37.5 hour 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

Diversity Statement:

Within our agency and in the communities that we serve, C&FS is committed to diversity and inclusion with race equity at the center. Every day we work to promote safety, health, and wellness. We will not stop until Black, indigenous and people of color are free from racism and experience peace, prosperity and well-being.

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.