Professional Foster Parent

About our Company:

Superior Caregivers (soon to be Envoi Associates) is a leading provider of services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our talented and well-trained professionals and clinicians believe in a person-centered and holistic approach to supporting and serving people. We have 50 combined years of experience in the human services field and currently offer services in Tennessee and Colorado. Our goal is to provide quality services such that people experience superior person-centered outcomes and live the lives they envision.

About our Program:

Our Colorado Foster Care Program is a Licensed Child Placement Agency (CPA) with the Colorado Department of Human Services. Our program aims to maximize the availability of qualified and competent treatment and therapeutic foster parents in the regions it serves, and to ensure the health and safety of children and youth placed in its certified foster care homes. We understand the importance of high-quality and consistent connections between children and youth and their caregivers which underlies our treatment philosophy. Our foster care program provides training and support to prospective and current treatment and therapeutic foster parents, specifically in trauma-informed care, developing healthy relationships with children and youth, child and adolescent development, navigating resources and services for children and youth with complex needs, and understanding (and supporting) the intersection of developmental and intellectual disabilities and adverse childhood experiences in children and youth in care. Our staff and leadership team are experienced and well-versed in working with neurotypical and neurodivergent populations, and in providing interdisciplinary and collaborative training and support to families in understanding the unique needs of children and youth with a developmental disability and/or mental health diagnosis.

About the position:

The Professional Foster Parent program is an initiative by the Colorado Department of Human Services in response to the Families First Prevention Services Act (Family First). Family First is a federal law that allows local child welfare agencies to use federal funding to pay for services that keep children safe, growing up in families. Family First requires that programs use a trauma-informed care approach along the full continuum of child welfare services. Professional Foster Care allows foster children and youth who are in residential facilities or group-based care to transition to a family-like setting, stabilize behavioral or mental health concerns, and begin to learn skills to allow for continued lower levels of care. Children placed with a Professional Foster Home with our program will fall between the ages of 8-18, have a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability, and have exhibited stability in a residential program indicating need for a step-down placement.

What benefits you receive:

• Compensation between $65,000 - $140,000 per year
• Sign-on bonus of $5,000 upon successful completion of licensing requirements
• Compensation for maintaining room in your home for a youth who is ready to transition
• No outside employment needed, we pay you to stay home with a youth in need
• Yearly health insurance stipend
• Reimbursement for mileage/vehicle expenses at $.50 per mile
• Home maintenance costs related to youth in care
• 36 days per year of respite paid for by the company
• Training reimbursement upon successful completion of licensing requirements
• Reimbursement for recreational/community memberships, counseling/mental health support, support groups, caregiver retreats, etc.
• 24/7 support from our staff members
• This is a 1099 position

Requirements:

• Colorado resident with proof of lawful residence (i.e. state-issued driver’s license).
• Must be 21 years or older.
• Must meet one of the following: College, vocational, technical or advanced degree or certification in an area related to child/youth treatment, such as mental health, behavioral health, social work, nursing, psychology, etc., OR At least 1 year full-time experience as a service provider (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, BCBA, etc.) for at-risk youth, children or youth with IDD, children/youth and families involved in the child welfare system OR At least 1 year of experience as a licensed foster parent with successful demonstration of working with children and youth with IDD or complex behavioral/mental health needs as evidenced by references from previous child placement agency
• At least 1 year full-time experience working with at-risk youth, children or youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), in a residential treatment facility, group home, or juvenile center for youth, etc.
• Must be able to provide a consistent safe living environment for at least 1 child or youth, including a bedroom with adequate space requirements and furniture (bed, storage space, etc.).
• Able to commit to position for at least 12 consecutive months.
• Must be accessible 24/7 to child/youth placed in care and have adequate availability to attend team meetings, child/youth appointments, educational planning meetings, respond to issues or emergencies, etc.
• Must be willing to keep an open and available bed for at least 1 child or youth, except when the bed is already occupied by a current placement.
• Must be willing to communicate with biological families or family of origin, as indicated in a child/youth’s treatment plan, and support reunification efforts with child/youth’s family.
• Must pass a motor vehicle record (MVR), background checks and other screening per state and federal requirements.
• Must be in good health as evidenced by health assessment(s) from a primary care doctor and/or mental health professional.
• Must possess, or obtain prior to securing position, CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must possess renter’s or home owner’s insurance, and automobile insurance, and provide proof of insurance.
• Must obtain license as a certified foster home prior to securing professional foster parent position, which includes completion of all required treatment and therapeutic foster parent trainings and successful home study and home inspection procedures.

The first of its kind in Colorado, the professional foster parent program aims to connect people with a passion for supporting youth – especially teens – with youth who need a therapeutic family environment after being in residential treatment for behavioral and/or emotional health needs. We look forward to speaking with you about this unique and rewarding experience!!

Note: Completion of all licensing and training requirements does not automatically translate to an issuance of a certificate to operate a professional foster care home. Due to the nature of this program and its intentions to avoid placement disruptions for children and youth transitioning to a professional foster home, our company has final discretion in the decision to designate a foster care parent specifically as a Professional Foster Parent.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Referral program

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $140,000