Foster Home Licensing Director

THE POSITION:
The Foster Home Licensing Director will design, implement, and oversee the Foster Home Licensing program, ensuring safe, stable foster homes by recruiting, training, and supporting families.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and develop Foster Home Licensing program (Foster for the Future) structures to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
• Write and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for program operations.
• Continuously evaluate and improve program components to align with best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise and support staff involved in the Foster for the Future program operations.
• Plan and implement recruitment activities to attract potential foster, adoptive, and respite families.
• Represent the agency at community fairs, informational sessions, and events.
• Educate potential applicants about foster care, adoption, and respite care opportunities.
• Conduct initial screenings, respond to inquiries and process intake paperwork.
• Conduct child-specific recruitment as needed and maintain appropriate records.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs covering child development, trauma-informed care, behavior management, and legal requirements.
• Interview and evaluate prospective foster, adoptive, or respite families through home visits.
• Enroll families in pre-service and in-service training programs.
• Complete home studies, assessments, and renewal evaluations in accordance with licensing standards.
• Provide coaching and corrective action plans to address identified deficiencies in foster homes
• Match children with appropriate foster families based on their specific needs.
• Provide ongoing support to foster families through regular home visits and case reviews.
• Act as a liaison between foster parents and placing agencies, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Monitor placements through phone contacts, home visits, and ongoing assessments.
• Monitor foster homes for compliance with licensing and agency standards.
Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Twenty-one years of age or older
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field 3 years of Experience in foster care, child welfare, family services, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience in a supervisor role.
• 3 years experience in case management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in completing home studies.
• Knowledge of licensing regulations, trauma-informed care, and family preservation.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to conduct assessments, training, and case management effectively.
• Commitment to connecting children to families and maintaining family connections.
• Experience exercising Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Therapeutic Aggression Control Techniques (TACT).
• Masters Degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Basic knowledge of Google and other database programs
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including but not limited to: computers, telephone systems, calculators, and copiers
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Flexibility, reliability, and self-motivation
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, interpersonal skills, and strong communication
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees
Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands:
The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to perform the essential functions of this position successfully.

• Physical stamina and agility are required to care for children of all ages
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds
• Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting for long periods, both indoors and outdoors
• Physical exposure to communicable diseases/contagions and head lice

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs. Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer.