What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Care Licensing Specialist position at Thornwell?
Position Summary
The Foster Care Licensing Specialist (FCLS) will manage the foster care licensing and renewal process for the Thornwell Foster Care Program in South Carolina according to the SCDSS Child Placing Agency (CPA) regulations. The FCLS will be responsible for screening and working with foster family applicants through the initial licensing process. The FCLS will assist the FC Team in evaluating requests for placement of children in foster homes. The FCLS will be responsible for meeting the monthly target of licensing new foster families and assist the Foster Care Family Specialists (FCFS’s) in retaining licensed foster families. Extensive driving is required, and mileage is reimbursed at Thornwell’s established rate. The FCLS will be knowledgeable of Council of Accreditations (COA) standards, and state and federal guidelines regarding foster care licensing. The FCLS will assist with pre-service and on-going training of staff and foster parents.
Core Responsibilities
- Screen and orient all new prospective foster family applicants.
- Work with families through the initial foster care application process and renewal licensing process.
- Work with families to ensure all required supporting documents are obtained prior to licensing a foster family (reference checks, medicals, background checks and clearances, fire inspection, financial records, etc.)
- Complete home visits with each foster home per licensing requirements, which include an initial home visit for safety checks and orientation and completing a separate home visit for the purpose of completing the home study for licensure.
- Ensure all foster family electronic and hard files contain all required documentation to meet COA, state, and federal regulations.
- Ensure each licensed home maintains annual compliance with licensing procedures.
- Document all case notes in BN in accordance with Thornwell policy.
- Provide support for foster parents during the licensing process.
- Lead informational and orientation meetings with all prospective foster parents.
- Advocate for children needing foster care placement.
- Assist with screening child placement calls from referral agencies, parents and community and provide appropriate referrals when on-call.
- Work with the Foster Care team to ensure licensing documentation is complete for annual licensing and Council on Accreditation requirements for each home and provide State DSS Office with necessary documentation for audits.
- Assist with planning Family Fun Events, Regional Trainings/Support Meetings and Annual State-Wide Conference.
- Assist with recruitment events and activities as requested.
- 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.
- Participate in Foster Care Team Meetings.
- Maintain regular communication with the Foster Care Program Director, Foster Care Family Support Specialists and the Program Marketing and Recruitment Specialist to ensure that any concerns regarding foster families and children are addressed in a timely manner.
- Assist in supporting foster families during a staff vacancy in the program as requested.
Working Conditions
The FCLS will work from an office based at Thornwell campus in Clinton, SC. The FCLS position will work a full-time flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the families and church/community organizations we serve.
The FCLS will travel within the state of South Carolina visiting foster family homes, regional offices, and participate in meetings, trainings, and events in public locations. Overnight travel for staff meetings, special events and training is required. The FCLS will travel extensively using one’s own car and will be reimbursed for mileage at Thornwell’s defined standard rate, excluding commute mileage to the office. The FCLS will be provided a Thornwell issued cell phone and laptop. The FCLS will use computers with the most frequent applications to include Microsoft Office: (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook), Microsoft Teams and Zoom for virtual meetings, and Best Notes database for entering case notes and reports. 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. Public speaking, compiling reports and technical writing are components of the FCLS position.
Qualifications
The FCLS must be committed to supporting foster families that are devoted to establishing a healthy home environment using Trust-Based Relational Interactions (TBRI). The FCLS will have a willingness to share their personal calling to work with foster families as appropriate. The FCLS must possess professional oral and written communication skills. In addition, the FCLS must be able to organize, prioritize, and implement work activities independently, demonstrate strong teamwork, and desire to grow professionally. The FCLS must have direct experience working within the community-based case management; field casework and foster care licensing experience is preferred. The FCLS must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least two-year experience licensing foster parents, or case management experience; or a master’s degree in social work with at least 2 years of experience working with children and families in community-based settings. The FCLS must have a valid South Carolina driver's license.
Skills
- Experience working with youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and their families.
- Effective problem solving and creative resolution skills.
- Possess strong organizational strategies to manage own workflow and prioritize needs.
- Strong capacity to build positive relationships with community stakeholders and market the Foster Care program to appropriate sources within the state.
- Ability to participate effectively as part of the Foster Care team.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to compile and write home studies in compliance with agency, state, and federal regulations.
- Interpersonal skills to effectively participate in problem solving with potential foster families, staff, and agency partners.
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.