Foster Care Referral Specialist - North FL

Foster Care Referral Specialist

Join our team at FSS and enjoy comprehensive benefits including but not limited to:

• Tuition Reimbursement: Earn up to $5,250 per qualifying year to invest in your education.
• Health Insurance: Choose from four comprehensive Florida Blue health insurance plans to keep you and your family covered.
• Dental Plan: Enjoy an employer-paid dental plan for our valued employees.
• Life Insurance: Your peace of mind matters to us. We provide employer-paid life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): a free, confidential resource, available to assist employees and their families in dealing with lifes challenges, and the demands of work/life balance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Relax and recharge with our generous PTO plan.
• Paid Holidays: Enjoy the 12 holidays (to include 1 floating holiday) and unwind with family and friends to celebrate and rejuvenate!
• Well-Being Program: Stay healthy and engaged with our highly interactive well-being program. Employees can earn three additional PTO days per plan year by simply participating.
• 401k Plan: Secure your financial future with our 401k plan with employer contribution of 3%.
• Additional Benefits: Explore our range of benefits, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Vision Plan, Short & Long-Term Disability coverage, Employee Discounts, and more.

The mission of Family Support Services is to be the leader in providing safety, stability, and quality of life for all children by working with the community to strengthen the family unit.

Job Summary

Responsible for investigating Special Conditions reports known as Foster Care Referrals as it pertains to foster children from the perspective of either case management or licensing. Foster Care Referrals are concerns reported to the Hotline related to the care provided to a child in an out-of-home placement with a relative or non-relative, or concerns related to a childs safety, permanency, or well-being for families under protective supervision that do not meet the criteria for acceptance of a report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. These referrals may include placement disruptions and case plan or safety plan violations. The intent is to provide notification to the child welfare professional to reassess the childs safety, permanency, and well-being. These referrals may include situations involving the removal caregiver which impact the childs safety. This position will make recommendations regarding corrective actions for relative and non-relative caregivers or actions needed by case management to resolve any identified concerns. This position provides additional support and analysis of relative or non-relative home functioning through the coordination of client relations complaints. The position will be required to conduct investigations into client complaints received through FSS, DCF and the Office of the Inspector General. Tracking of client complaints and their outcomes in tandem with the Quality Management Manager.

This position will also include knowledge and application of the current Quality Management Specialist, including but not limited to conducting quality case management reviews and post consultations as it relates to CFSR Desk Reviews, Special Project Reviews and CFSR Federal Reviews and report outcomes to the Quality Management Manager. This position will assist as needed in processing and tracking incident reports in Mindshare and DCF portal if it meets the criteria.

This position will require face-to-face home visits and fieldwork based on case circumstances and all other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Duties

• Assess reported concerns reported in Foster Care Referrals, conduct home/field visits to complete interviews, formulate recommendations for corrective actions when needed, and document outcomes in FSFN.
• Document receipt and outcomes for all Foster Care Referrals. Report on trends monthly, making recommendations for larger system interventions as identified.
• Conduct staffings within 5 days of Foster Care Referrals and at closure, when warranted, with all relevant parties.
• Create corrective action plans and route for approval.
• Track needed exit interviews, review feedback, and follow up as needed.
• Monitor completion of needed Child Placement Agreements.
• To treat foster parents, the public and co-workers with courtesy, respect and dignity and present a positive public image.
• Conduct Quality Management Case Reviews, client relations/complaints
• All other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. A Masters degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Three to five years experience working with children and families with an emphasis on child welfare services. Prior dependency case management and foster home licensing strongly preferred. Must be a current certified child welfare case worker.
• Valid drivers license. Child Protection Certification or Certification eligible required.

Schedule & Hours

Flexible Schedule Monday-Friday typically 8:30am-5pm