What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Parent Liason position at Children's Network of Hillsborough?
Mission Statement
The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.
General Purpose of Job
The Foster Parent Liaison plays a critical role in supporting, advocating for, and equipping foster parents and caregivers within the child welfare system. This position focuses on increasing caregiver retention, enhancing placement stability for children in out-of-home care, and strengthening system partnerships. By providing training, resources, and guidance, the specialist helps caregivers develop the skills necessary to navigate the child welfare system effectively. Additionally, this role ensures that caregivers receive the support needed to provide safe, nurturing, and stable environments for children, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for families and the broader foster care system.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
CNHC operates on a Monday through Friday, 40-hour workweek. Your supervisor will provide guidance on your specific work schedule; however, standard business hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This role is primarily office-based with responsibilities that extend into the community. Flexibility is required, including availability for evening and weekend hours as needed
Travel
Travel within Circuit 13 (Hillsborough County) is required.
Training
All employees must complete fifteen (15) hours of on-line or classroom Training on an annual basis. If the employee is a Certified Child Welfare Professional, Training hours must total twenty (20) annually.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This job does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Education And Experience
Should possess strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills to effectively engage with caregivers, stakeholders, and community partners. The ability to provide empathetic support and advocacy is essential for building trusting relationships with caregivers and helping them navigate the child welfare system. This role requires organizational skills to manage multiple responsibilities, including documentation, reporting, and scheduling, while maintaining attention to detail. A successful specialist must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and flexibility, adapting to the diverse needs of caregivers and children. Additionally, the ability to collaborate with both internal teams and external organizations is key to enhancing caregiver retention, improving placement stability, and ensuring the well-being of children in care. Strong knowledge of child welfare policies and the ability to deliver training and resources to caregivers will further support the specialist in their efforts to create a positive and supportive environment for families.
Pre-employment Requirements
Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.
Language Skills
Must possess strong language skills, including the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Clear and concise communication is essential when interacting with caregivers, children, and team members to ensure understanding and provide accurate information. The liaison should be able to tailor their communication style to diverse audiences, using active listening skills to understand concerns and offer appropriate guidance. The ability to write detailed reports, case notes, and other documentation in a professional and organized manner is also required. Additionally, the liaison must be able to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations, maintaining a calm and supportive tone while addressing the needs of caregivers and children. Fluency in a second language may be preferred to help bridge communication gaps with diverse families.
Mathematical Skills
The liaison should possess basic mathematical skills to manage and track for required reporting. Additionally, the role may need to analyze data and generate reports that require an understanding of percentages, averages, and other mathematical concepts. Attention to detail is essential to ensure the accuracy of all numerical data and to support effective decision-making within the role.
Reasoning Ability
Must have a strong reasoning ability to assess situations, identify problems, and develop effective solutions. This includes the ability to think critically and make decisions based on available information, while considering the needs of caregivers, children, and the child welfare system. Should be able to analyze complex situations, evaluate various options, and implement strategies that support caregiver retention, placement stability, and the overall well-being of children in care. Additionally, the ability to anticipate potential challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and respond effectively to emergencies or crises is essential for success in this role.
Physical Demands
This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods, as well as walk, stand, use hands, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The role also involves activities such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching, along with the ability to talk and hear effectively. Visual acuity is required to read and operate standard office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Work Environment
The role is primarily an in-office based position, with responsibilities that extend beyond the office environment. While most of the work will be conducted within the office, the role also requires frequent community-based interactions. This position is administrative work in an indoor office environment with a moderate noise level. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ADA: Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
EEO: Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.
Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.
The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.
General Purpose of Job
The Foster Parent Liaison plays a critical role in supporting, advocating for, and equipping foster parents and caregivers within the child welfare system. This position focuses on increasing caregiver retention, enhancing placement stability for children in out-of-home care, and strengthening system partnerships. By providing training, resources, and guidance, the specialist helps caregivers develop the skills necessary to navigate the child welfare system effectively. Additionally, this role ensures that caregivers receive the support needed to provide safe, nurturing, and stable environments for children, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for families and the broader foster care system.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Children’s Network of Hillsborough licensing teams and contracted providers to support families with placement stability, caregiver resilience, sibling placement, and trauma-informed care resources.
- Act as the primary point of contact for foster and relative caregivers, offering direct assistance and advocacy.
- Promote placement stability for children in out-of-home care by addressing caregiver needs and challenges.
- Strengthen retention and quality satisfaction or caregivers and foster families by providing support, timely interventions, and linkages to reduce frustrations related to system navigation and childcare needs.
- Provide guidance, advocacy, and training to foster parents and caregivers, ensuring they have the resources needed to navigate the child welfare system.
- Enhance caregivers’ skills and confidence through targeted training and educational opportunities.
- Foster collaborative partnerships with system stakeholders to expand access to resources and support services.
- Represent Children’s Network of Hillsborough at local and statewide licensing meetings and training courses, offering feedback and insights to system leaders. Key meetings include but are not limited to:
- Foster/Adoptive Parent Association meetings
- Isaiah 127 monthly meetings
- PRIDE meetings
- Oversee volunteer onboarding and scheduling, ensuring proper integration and support for agency-linked volunteers.
- Assist in the planning and coordination of community resource fairs, enhancing access to support services for caregivers and children.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting for all assigned reports, adhering to established deadlines and reporting frequencies
- Assist with special projects, initiatives, and events as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission and objectives of the organization.
CNHC operates on a Monday through Friday, 40-hour workweek. Your supervisor will provide guidance on your specific work schedule; however, standard business hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This role is primarily office-based with responsibilities that extend into the community. Flexibility is required, including availability for evening and weekend hours as needed
Travel
Travel within Circuit 13 (Hillsborough County) is required.
Training
All employees must complete fifteen (15) hours of on-line or classroom Training on an annual basis. If the employee is a Certified Child Welfare Professional, Training hours must total twenty (20) annually.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This job does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Education And Experience
- High School Diploma required
- Knowledge and understanding of Hillsborough County’s system of care, including the importance of co-parenting and addressing children’s needs.
- Certified in the current Foster Parent Pre-Service Curriculum
Should possess strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills to effectively engage with caregivers, stakeholders, and community partners. The ability to provide empathetic support and advocacy is essential for building trusting relationships with caregivers and helping them navigate the child welfare system. This role requires organizational skills to manage multiple responsibilities, including documentation, reporting, and scheduling, while maintaining attention to detail. A successful specialist must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and flexibility, adapting to the diverse needs of caregivers and children. Additionally, the ability to collaborate with both internal teams and external organizations is key to enhancing caregiver retention, improving placement stability, and ensuring the well-being of children in care. Strong knowledge of child welfare policies and the ability to deliver training and resources to caregivers will further support the specialist in their efforts to create a positive and supportive environment for families.
Pre-employment Requirements
Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license with no record of criminal driving offenses or license suspension.
- Must have reliable transportation for job-related duties and provide proof of required insurance.
- Must successfully complete and maintain FDLE clearance, as well as federal and state criminal background checks and sexual predator screenings.
Language Skills
Must possess strong language skills, including the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Clear and concise communication is essential when interacting with caregivers, children, and team members to ensure understanding and provide accurate information. The liaison should be able to tailor their communication style to diverse audiences, using active listening skills to understand concerns and offer appropriate guidance. The ability to write detailed reports, case notes, and other documentation in a professional and organized manner is also required. Additionally, the liaison must be able to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations, maintaining a calm and supportive tone while addressing the needs of caregivers and children. Fluency in a second language may be preferred to help bridge communication gaps with diverse families.
Mathematical Skills
The liaison should possess basic mathematical skills to manage and track for required reporting. Additionally, the role may need to analyze data and generate reports that require an understanding of percentages, averages, and other mathematical concepts. Attention to detail is essential to ensure the accuracy of all numerical data and to support effective decision-making within the role.
Reasoning Ability
Must have a strong reasoning ability to assess situations, identify problems, and develop effective solutions. This includes the ability to think critically and make decisions based on available information, while considering the needs of caregivers, children, and the child welfare system. Should be able to analyze complex situations, evaluate various options, and implement strategies that support caregiver retention, placement stability, and the overall well-being of children in care. Additionally, the ability to anticipate potential challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and respond effectively to emergencies or crises is essential for success in this role.
Physical Demands
This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods, as well as walk, stand, use hands, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The role also involves activities such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching, along with the ability to talk and hear effectively. Visual acuity is required to read and operate standard office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Work Environment
The role is primarily an in-office based position, with responsibilities that extend beyond the office environment. While most of the work will be conducted within the office, the role also requires frequent community-based interactions. This position is administrative work in an indoor office environment with a moderate noise level. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ADA: Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
EEO: Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.
Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.
