Program Specialist Foster Care

POSITION: PROGRAM SPECIALIST – FOSTER CARE

Full-Time; 80 hrs./pay

DEPARTMENT: CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES

Troy A. Wood Human Services Complex, Franklin, PA

PAY GRADE: HS Non-Exempt Hourly Pay Grade Five

$20.37/hr.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB

Planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing specialized elements of the Venango County Foster Care Program. Participating in Concurrent Planning focus groups and Clinical Review Team Meetings to ensure that the enhancements to the Foster Care Program are being engrained in service coordination.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives instructions and guidance from the Service Coordination Supervisor of Foster Care and Independent Living programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists the foster care supervisor with recruiting strategies; such as, but not limited to, newspaper advertising, TV advertising and public service spots, speaking engagements, flyers, window displays.

2. Provides guidance and technical assistance to service coordinators regarding the placement of children in County foster homes, kinship homes or permanent legal custodianships.

3. Interprets regulation and bulletins to staff, providers and other professionals.

4. Coordinates and/or completes other foster parent related forms/surveys as well as facilitates focus groups as required for effective implementation and evaluation of the special projects and evidence-based practices in the Foster Care Program.

5. Evaluates initial foster parent reaction to placement by calling foster family within 24 hours of placement or on next working day. Consults with placement service coordinator on any problems arising from placement in order to establish quality assurance measures and customer satisfaction.

6. Evaluates foster home satisfaction with Agency policy and placement procedure through visiting foster home within two weeks of initial placement to assess any concerns of foster parent and consults with placing service coordinator and administration regarding any voiced child-related concerns. Proposes any corrective action plan/measures needed to modify operational techniques.

7. Monitors foster homes through licensing foster parents, including kinship care, which includes but is not limited to initial home study, arranging for psychological evaluation, water testing and initial orientation.

8. Evaluates foster parent, kinship parent, SPLC and adoption agreements. Presents agreement at foster care committee meetings and negotiates rates with foster parents and kinship parents. Monitors implementation of agreements. Reviews agreements on an annual basis and modifies as needed at the approval of foster care committee.

9. Consults with service coordinators or family members regarding kinship care referrals.

10. Completes foster parent and kinship parent home studies at the request of Interstate Compact. Monitors children in foster care and makes required reports through the Compact.

11. Provides training for foster parent applicants either through the Child Welfare Resource Center, other private sources or by personally providing training.

12. Re-licenses foster parents as per regulation.

13. Coordinates foster parent recruitment, retention and recognition activities including Foster Parent Month, Foster Parent Summer Activity, Christmas Party, as well as other events/activities.

14. Evaluates foster care placement assessments and planning. In the event of planned placements, conducts ‘batched facilitation’ interviews of available foster homes with foster parents, child, and family together, to empower biological families and youth in regards to placement.

15. Creates one-page foster parent profiles from home studies to inform families and children about the foster home that they may be placed in.

16. Participates in unit staff meetings providing guidance and technical assistance to staff regarding the Foster Care, Kinship Care and SPLC program.

17. Responds to phone calls from foster parents within 24 hours.

18. Provides crisis intervention for foster parents as needed.

19. Attends court hearing and/or writes reports as required.

20. Testifies in court, if necessary, regarding observations within the foster home; prepares summaries of foster parent involvement for court as requested.

21. Prepares required reports as mandated by federal, state, or County policies and procedures.

22. Keeps foster parent records.

23. Investigates alleged foster parent rule violations.

24. Coordinates a monthly foster parent newsletter.

25. Participates in Permanency Round Table Meetings, including input of clinical service coordination.

26. Participates in Clinical Review Team Meetings and engrain Quality Visitation content in the discussion including; developmental needs of the child and parents, age of the child, mental health or intellectual disabilities of the child or parents, physical disabilities of the child or parent, and specific family circumstances; including socio-economic status, and culture.

27. Assists the Foster Care Supervisor with enhancement of the Family Visitation Center.

28. Implements the Bridging the Gap Program and other programming to support and comply with the Concurrent Planning Bulletin.

Other Duties of the Job

1. Utilizes computer and other office equipment as needed, including video equipment.

2. Travels periodically and makes home visits to foster parents at least quarterly.

3. Writes and revises foster parent policies and procedures as needed.

4. Attends State, District and Regional meetings that are pertinent to foster care.

5. Attends First Aid/CPR Instructor training and provides all necessary training to resource parents.

6. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential job duties.

2. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.

3. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.

4. Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers, and others.

5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to individuals’ information and records.

6. Must possess ability to operate personal computer and related software, to type and utilize other office equipment, and to prepare required reports.

7. Must possess ability to make accurate observations and documentation of it in regard to individuals’ needs and make determinations of risk assessment.

8. Must possess the academic knowledge and some skill in promoting therapies and social service work and skills with children and youth and families.

9. Must possess knowledge of child development and the ability to conduct assessments and investigations.

10. Must possess ability to provide structured and unstructured life skills instructions and guidance to individuals as needed.

11. Must have the ability to execute implementation including; review, research, and coordination of the program and pre-planning activities and certification of the program in Venango County.

12. Must possess the ability to express empathy and understanding to all individuals.

13. Must be able to interact effectively with children and youth, department staff, counselors, attorneys, and the courts.

14. Must be able to work effectively with persons involved in the criminal and/or juvenile justice system.

15. Must be able to rapidly establish rapport with individuals having behavioral health, substance abuse, or intellectual challenges.

16. Must have some knowledge of the judicial and court system as it relates to child services.

17. Must have transportation available and a willingness to travel for work-related job duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in the social welfare field and 3 years of related human service experience; or bachelor’s degree in unrelated field with at least 12 credits in social welfare and 4 years of related human service experience; or master’s degree in the social welfare field and 1 year of related human service experience.

Clearances:

· Must work in conjunction with employer to apply for Act 34 PA State Police Criminal History, Act 151 PA Child Abuse and FBI clearances prior to employment. Clearances currently possessed that are less than 4 years old will be accepted until new clearances are available. All clearances must reflect acceptable results.

· Must not appear on Preclusion Lists as defined by “Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Bulletin 99-11-05 Provider Screening of Employees and Contractors for Exclusion from Participating in Federal Healthcare Programs.”

· Must successfully complete pre-employment drug screening.

HOW TO APPLY

All interested, qualified county employees should contact Human Resources at 814-432-9758. An internal job posting application is required.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024 AT 4:00 P.M.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

**DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE**

APPLICANTS WHO REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO A DISABILITY SHOULD CONTACT 814-432-9552 FOR ASSISTANCE.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.37 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20