About the Role As the Foster Care Behavior Specialist, you will Shine Hope as by providing services in the Longview, Lufkin, and Beaumont areas and work collaboratively with the foster care team and multi-disciplinary team through the licensure and ongoing development of therapeutic foster / adoptive families in the provision of education, training, support, monitoring, assessments, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, counseling and resource referrals. You will conduct research and assist in developing frameworks and models specific to working with families caring for high acuity children and youth in achieving permanency. You will also be responsible for the coordination and implementation of recruitment strategies aimed at recruiting foster and adoptive families interested in providing therapeutic care for children and youth with special needs and promoting community awareness through strong collaborations.
What you will do As a member of our team you will have an impact on our clients through accomplishment of the following responsibilities:

• Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to the to support the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of foster families through the placement of children and youth.
• Complete ongoing assessments and treatment interventions based psychological and psychiatric evaluations, developmental evaluations, medical conditions, social and trauma history, and consistent observation and interaction with children classified as therapeutic.
• Recruit and develop therapeutic foster homes; participate in public relations assignments directed for purposes of educating the community about resource need within the region of service.
• Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and therapeutic foster parents during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as is required by state licensing and Buckner policy and procedure.
• Coordinate individual, family and/or support group counseling to foster care clients and/or therapeutic foster parents, and crisis intervention support as required
• Timely complete accurate and thorough documentation for case files in accordance with Buckner guidelines and procedures in order to meet minimum standards requirements.
• Review clinical assessments and social history to create a treatment approach for children that have higher needs associated with a DSM diagnosis. Work with the foster care team in the development, monitoring, and review of Plan of Service designed to increase strengths, address needs, and reduce conflict in the home. The Plan of Service must also align with the DSM diagnosis. Coordination must also occur with the Multi Dimensional treatment team (attorneys, CASA, therapist, psychiatrist, CPS, etc.)
• Work with foster parents in coordinating visits with placing agency and/or family for family visits and contact. Assist foster parents with transportation for family visits and other necessary appointments.
• Consult with TDFPS and SSCC staff with recommendations about the selection of foster family resources that best meet the needs of the children, which includes recommendations for support services to maintain the resource.

As a 5 STARS team member, you'll bring to the team:
To be successful in this role and a great addition to our team we need you to come with the following:

• Master's degree in human services or other related field required.
• Minimum 2 years prior related experience with therapeutic care required.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner's insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner
• Shining hope in others. (Your friendly attitude and willingness to learn is more important than a year's experience!)

Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the amazing qualifications and experiences listed above, if we had our say, we would also look for:

• 4 years of experience preferred.
• A Professional license in LPC, LMFT, LMSW, or LCSW is preferred.
• A commitment to your own professional growth and development to enhance program services.
• A willingness and desire to build and maintain excellent working relationships with your co-workers, volunteers, and the community that we rely on to support our programs.

Our 5 STARS Perks:

• Medical and Dental benefits for associates and their eligible dependents.
• Payactiv, early access paid wages
• Life insurance.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability benefits.
• Paid Time Off and Holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Retirement Savings Plan.
• The 5 STARS Fun Benefit: encourages employees to spread good cheer to their co-workers and others, creating a happy, healthy environment for all!

Benefits eligibility is based on number of hours worked each week.
EEO
The same way we treat our employees is how we treat all applicants - with respect. Buckner is an equal opportunity employer (EEO is the law). You will be treated fairly throughout our recruiting process and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration for a career at Buckner.