LTFC Home Finder

Overview

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in downtown Brooklyn.

The Unaccompanied Children Long Term Foster Care Program provides a safe and secure placement to Unaccompanied Children (UC) who following an initial placement in an ORR/DUCO care provider facility, and after efforts for the safe and timely release indicated that no sponsor is willing or able to care for the UC, and the UC is expected to have a protracted length of time in ORR care. Working in collaboration with the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, ORR, our program provides a safe and nurturing environment for youth in licensed foster homes in the community. We provide therapeutic, medical and educational services, as well as other supports that youth need to achieve success through an array of strength-based and targeted interventions as we link them with family members and/or other sponsors in the United States. We want all the children we support to move forward with their lives and thrive.

About the Role:

The Home Finder/Recruiter is responsible for recruiting, certifying (re-certifying as needed) and approving all foster homes for the LTFC program. This position also conducts monthly foster home visits to conduct ongoing assessment of the home and identify any areas of need or support for the foster parent to be successful in the care of the child. The Home Finder also serves as an additional support to the POH home finding team with all similar required tasks for the POH program.

Responsibilities

• Actively recruit new foster homes.
• Rotating on –call inquiry phone, email for recruitment of foster parents. Completion of inquiry, interview and home visits for new potential foster parents are required. 
• Make necessary in-home home visits to each home during the certification, recertification process or as needed. Process, admit, obtain required documentation to complete the certification process and maintain/update homes in Connections. 
• Process all clearances and other regulations according to OCFS and ORR guidelines to ensure the complete certification/recertification process is complete. 
• Maintain all foster parent's records to ensure they are accurate for audit purposes. Ensure that all certified foster homes remain in compliance with required OCFS and ORR mandated training. Track and monitor compliance with training and develop reports as needed.  
• Conduct GPS/MAPP II and other required foster parent training sessions in accordance with state and ORR regulations.
• Conduct monthly foster home visits to assess the safety of the home and identify any areas of need for training or support to the foster parent. Facilitate/Coordinate foster parent monthly support groups and facilitate foster parent required trainings. 
• Complete home studies for each certified home. 
• Complete required progress notes. Participate in LTFC referral process for new intakes to the program.
• Complete other assigned tasks as needed.  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus related experience. 
• Demonstrate responsiveness and ability to work with a culturally diverse population. 
• MUST be able to do extensive traveling to all NYC boroughs, and outer boroughs. 
• Must have strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills. 
• Able to work flexible hours evenings and weekends. 
• Bilingual English/Spanish a must 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. The LTFC Home Finder will work independently with guidance and support from their supervisor and other team members, collaborating closely on foster homes and proper service delivery. 

Work Environment:

This role requires four in-office days and one remote day per week, with flexibility for after-hours, weekend, and holiday support as needed. The position involves collaboration with multiple teams including the unaccompanied minor program (POH), fieldwork, and travel for foster home visits to assess a safe and proper environment for the children placement. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $57,750.00. The position operates Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for after-hours, weekend, and holiday support as needed.

Additional Requirements:

Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Must have reliable transportation for ongoing travel to meet program needs.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Fairness, and Belonging

Rising Ground is comprised of unique and valued individuals who together make the organization effective in assisting the children, adults and families who come to us for support. We believe that only when all employees contribute fully as their true selves can Rising Ground's true strength, vision, and values come to fruition. We recognize the ubiquitous social biases and structures that impact and shape the experiences of all people, including our own staff and people supported. Among the many biases present in our society that shape our personal and professional experiences race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender expression are all factors that can present hurdles. As such, Rising Ground is committed to being an anti-racist and inclusive organization that will actively strive to overcome both systemic and interpersonal biases that perpetuate oppression.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, gender. identity, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring,

compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Salary : $57,750