Foster Care Family Specialist

The Foster Care (FC) Family Specialist will provide family support and case
management services to foster families, and the foster children placed in their homes,
and ensure all foster homes are compliant with DSS regulations. The FC Family
Specialist caseload will include a minimum caseload of 12-15 children placed in foster
care, foster families awaiting placement, and respite families. In addition, the FCFS will
participate in the licensing of new foster families as needed and assist the FCLS with
the licensing process. The FC Family Specialist will act as a liaison between the
Department of Social Services and other school/medical/community organizations and
will advocate for the needs of foster families and children placed in foster care.
Extensive driving is required, and mileage is reimbursed at Thornwell’s established rate.
The FC Family Specialist will ensure the provision of quality services to foster families
and children using established Thornwell, Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI),
Council of Accreditations (COA) standards, and state and federal guidelines. The FC
Family Specialist will assist with on-going training t ensure foster family retention and
high-quality of care for children placed in Thornwell foster homes.

Core Responsibilities

1) Conduct monthly home visits for all foster children in the caseload to ensure the
safety and well-being of the children. Visits include conducting announced and
unannounced visits.

2) Provide ongoing support to foster families to ensure the needs of the foster child
and the foster family are met. (e.g. Identifying educational, medical, therapeutic
resources for the foster child, communication with DSS, childcare, etc.)

3) Coordinate the placement and discharge of the foster child (communication with
DSS and the foster family, transfer of records, etc.).

4) Participate in child/case planning, appointments, Foster Care Review board and
court hearings as needed.

5) Match foster child referrals with foster families in your caseload. Review child
intake referrals and match the child with an appropriate foster family.

6) Participate in weekend/holiday On Call rotation to review incoming child referrals
and match the child referrals with an open bed.

7) Ensure all foster homes are compliant with DSS licensing requirements and COA
standards at all times.

8) Conduct quarterly home visits with licensed foster families in your assigned
caseload and as assigned.

9) Work cooperatively with the Licensing Specialist to license and re-license foster
families. Conduct orientation and safety walk-thru of the foster home, and
ensuring all renewal documentation is submitted timely to the Licensing Specialist.

10) Provide thorough, accurate and timely documentation of all visits, contacts, and
communication with a foster child or foster family, or about a foster child or foster
family in the EHR (Credible).

11) Maintain foster child and foster family files with required documentation and case
notes using electronic system and hard copy files as appropriate.

12) Develop and maintain professional communication with all DSS staff.

13) Work cooperatively with the Foster Care Team in planning Family Fun Events,
Regional Trainings/Support Meetings.

14) Assist the Recruitment Coordinator with recruitment events and activities.

15) Assist in establishing quarterly and annual goals and objectives for Thornwell
Foster Care Program. Assist in providing monthly activity reports with data
collection for grants and outcome measures.

16) Actively participate in Foster Care Team Meetings and all Thornwell All Staff
meetings and events.

17) Assist with pre-service training and on-going training for foster and respite
families.

18) Communicate regularly with the Foster Care Program Supervisor and the Foster
Care Director to ensure that any concerns regarding foster families and children
are addressed promptly.

19) Complete other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

The Foster Care Family Specialist will work with families residing in the Upstate region.
This position may be a hybrid position with an office based at the Thornwell Foster Care
Office – Clinton, SC. The FC Family Specialist will work with foster family case files,
participate in trainings and event/support meetings with the Foster Care Team. The
Foster Care Family Specialist will also work in the foster family’s home, DSS offices, and
Court/Foster Care Review Board. The FC Family Specialist will travel daily using their
own car and will be reimbursed for mileage from the office at Thornwell’s defined
standard rate, excluding commute mileage to their office. The FC Family Specialist will
utilize their Thornwell cell phone device. Limited overnight travel for special events and
training is required. The FC Family Specialist will be required to use computers with the
most frequent applications to include Word Processing, Excel Spreadsheets, Power
Point, Video Conferencing and Electronic Note taking system. The FC Family Specialist
will work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the families and church/community
organizations we serve. Most Special Events will be scheduled in the early evening
hours and on Saturdays. This position will require the following physical activity level:
sitting, standing, walking, driving, setting up/taking down meeting space/exhibit space
materials (tables, chairs, presentation equipment, screens, and banners), and game
playing at Family Fun Events and some public speaking & technical writing.

Qualifications

The FC Family Specialist must be committed to supporting foster families that are
devoted to establishing a healthy home environment using Trust-Based Relational
Interactions (TBRI). The FC Family Specialist will have a willingness to share their
personal calling to work with foster families as appropriate. The FC Family Specialist
must possess strong communication skills, be able to organize, prioritize, and
implement work activities independently, have strong team-building skills and desire to
grow professionally. The FC Family Specialist must have direct experience working
within the community-based case management field and direct foster care experience is
preferred. The FC Family Specialist must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from
an accredited college or university. The FC Family Specialist must have a valid driver's
license in the state they reside.

Skills

1) Experience working with youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and
their families.

2) Effective problem solving and creative resolution skills.

3) Possess strong organizational strategies to manage own workflow and prioritize.

4) Strong capacity to build positive relationships with community stakeholders and
market the Foster Care program to appropriate sources within the state.

5) Ability to participate effectively as part of the Foster Care team.

Thornwell is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization affiliated with
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians
and who possess a Christian commitment, as well as concern, for children and families
in need.