Kinship Foster Parent Support Specialist

Basic Function/Overall Responsibilities: Provide weekly group instruction in the areas of developmental milestones, appropriate parenting decisions and basic parenting skills, using a trauma focused perspective. Provide individual support to selected certified foster parents regarding treatment goals and visitation in order to achieve the identified Permanency Planning Goal. Assist in providing supervision of visitation on identified cases. Document all contacts in progress notes in Connections. Work with the treatment team to ensure everyone is working towards attaining the identified Permanency Planning Goal.

Principal Assigned Responsibilities:

1. Provide group instruction in the areas of developmental milestones, parenting decisions and parenting skills.
2. Provide individualized parent training and goal development with a focus on trauma informed care.
3. Participate in weekly staff meetings, and case conferences as needed.
4. Ensure detailed documentation is entered timely and appropriately.
5. Provide supervision/feedback to any kinship foster part that needs additional support.
6. Attend necessary Train the Trainer Programs, workshops and in-service training.
7. Communicate strengths and areas of need of the identified caseload/clients to the respective treatment teams.
8. Complete related tasks/duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Foster Care.
9. Take part in retention efforts of kinship foster parents.
10. Work closely with Kinship Permanency Specialist and Foster Family Specialist to determine strengths/needs of kinship foster parents.
11. Develop and lead training topics as requested by kinship foster families.
12. Locate and distribute material as deemed appropriate or beneficial to kinship foster parents.
13. Act as a mediator between birth parents and certified kinship parents as needed.
14. Schedule and attend kinship foster home visits as needed for additional support.
15. Lead psycho-educational and support groups for kinship foster parents.

Education and Experience Requirements:

1. Master's or Bachelor’s Degree in related field, minimum of one-year successful human service experience working with a high-risk population and or community-based services.