What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Care Specialist position at Vista Maria?
Job Description
In accordance with the Agency’s mission statement, policies and procedures, professional Code of Ethics, State of
Michigan licensing and COA standards; the Foster Care Specialist is responsible for providing direct foster care
treatment services and case management services to assigned clients.
TASKS OF THE POSITION
Implements and monitors quality individual, group, and/or family counseling according to specific treatment plans.
Serves as a liaison and client advocate with the court, funding, referring/referral agencies and schools.
Completes all required paperwork, (e.g. updated assessments/treatments plans, case notes, phone logs, court
reports, Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) and utilization review reports).
Provides face-to-face contact with assigned clients, per contract requirements.
Schedules, organizes and attends Team Decision Meetings.
Participates in scheduled case conferences with collaborating agency.
Maintains a flexible work schedule that provides accessibility that supports the needs of the community based
environment.
Provides education and support, regarding needs of clients, for foster parents and planning families.
Develops and revises strategies and diverse treatment plans for assigned clients according to each client’s
individual needs.
Participates in on-call rotation for foster families and planning families.
Participates in continuous quality improvement efforts.
Stays informed of current practice developments within the profession, and uses educational and training
opportunities to ensure continual professional competence.
Plans and organizes work to meet all requirements according to agency and COA standards, licensing and
funding requirements.
Prepares for and participates in individual supervision, team meetings, and other agency meetings regularly.
Works with Vista Maria programs and community agencies/resources to provide referrals, resources and related
services to clients.
Performs all other duties as required or requested by the agency.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of social work and service administration.
Ability to observe, recognize, analyze, and report on individual’s behavioral, attitudinal, emotional, and social
problems, and the ability to develop a plan of action for resolution.
Ability to evaluate program quality and effectiveness as they relate to an individual’s or a group’s needs,
recommending modifications when appropriate.
Ability to work independently in the field and to use team resources/supervision to enhance performance.
Ability to assess client mental health symptoms and service needs.
Ability to be flexible in prioritizing in a changing system.
Demonstrated personal integrity and professional demeanor in accordance with the ethics of the agency and
profession.
Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills to compose and/or edit written materials.
Knowledge of current practice developments within the profession, and uses educational and training opportunities
to ensure continual professional competence.
Ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration to establish rapport with Vista Maria staff and representatives of
other agencies, foster care families, planning family and schools.
Position Description
Vista Maria Position Description - Foster Care Specialist
©2007 Vista Maria R 04/07
Page 2
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (continued)
Demonstrated skills in organization, priority/time management, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
Demonstrated ability to interact positively in a culturally diverse environment and to deal effectively with various
levels of Vista Maria personnel, outside customers and community groups.
Demonstrated computer literacy skills at least in Word programs.
SMART GOALS
to meet the needs (socially, educationally, physically/medically, emotionally, and cognitively) of each child. All
documentation is created and filed in child file within one week.
This job has no supervisory experience.
QUALIFICATION (EDUCATION / TRAINING)
Required:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, such as counseling, social work, psychology, etc., from an accredited
school.
One year of experience working with children and families.
State registration or licensure as required by licensing for funding.
A valid Michigan driver’s license without relevant restrictions.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, such as counseling, social work, psychology, etc., from and accredited
school, and some knowledge of mental issues, treatment concepts and experiences in their implementation with
children and/or families.
1-2 years same or similar experience.
Working knowledge of diagnostic criteria and coding.
Completion of Child Welfare Institute (CWI) training required by the State of Michigan.
Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) trained
Company Description
We foster restorative relationships and deliver innovative care, treatment, and education so that vulnerable youth and families believe in their worth, heal and build the skills for success.
We foster restorative relationships and deliver innovative care, treatment, and education so that vulnerable youth and families believe in their worth, heal and build the skills for success.
In accordance with the Agency’s mission statement, policies and procedures, professional Code of Ethics, State of
Michigan licensing and COA standards; the Foster Care Specialist is responsible for providing direct foster care
treatment services and case management services to assigned clients.
TASKS OF THE POSITION
Implements and monitors quality individual, group, and/or family counseling according to specific treatment plans.
Serves as a liaison and client advocate with the court, funding, referring/referral agencies and schools.
Completes all required paperwork, (e.g. updated assessments/treatments plans, case notes, phone logs, court
reports, Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) and utilization review reports).
Provides face-to-face contact with assigned clients, per contract requirements.
Schedules, organizes and attends Team Decision Meetings.
Participates in scheduled case conferences with collaborating agency.
Maintains a flexible work schedule that provides accessibility that supports the needs of the community based
environment.
Provides education and support, regarding needs of clients, for foster parents and planning families.
Develops and revises strategies and diverse treatment plans for assigned clients according to each client’s
individual needs.
Participates in on-call rotation for foster families and planning families.
Participates in continuous quality improvement efforts.
Stays informed of current practice developments within the profession, and uses educational and training
opportunities to ensure continual professional competence.
Plans and organizes work to meet all requirements according to agency and COA standards, licensing and
funding requirements.
Prepares for and participates in individual supervision, team meetings, and other agency meetings regularly.
Works with Vista Maria programs and community agencies/resources to provide referrals, resources and related
services to clients.
Performs all other duties as required or requested by the agency.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of social work and service administration.
Ability to observe, recognize, analyze, and report on individual’s behavioral, attitudinal, emotional, and social
problems, and the ability to develop a plan of action for resolution.
Ability to evaluate program quality and effectiveness as they relate to an individual’s or a group’s needs,
recommending modifications when appropriate.
Ability to work independently in the field and to use team resources/supervision to enhance performance.
Ability to assess client mental health symptoms and service needs.
Ability to be flexible in prioritizing in a changing system.
Demonstrated personal integrity and professional demeanor in accordance with the ethics of the agency and
profession.
Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills to compose and/or edit written materials.
Knowledge of current practice developments within the profession, and uses educational and training opportunities
to ensure continual professional competence.
Ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration to establish rapport with Vista Maria staff and representatives of
other agencies, foster care families, planning family and schools.
Position Description
Vista Maria Position Description - Foster Care Specialist
©2007 Vista Maria R 04/07
Page 2
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (continued)
Demonstrated skills in organization, priority/time management, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
Demonstrated ability to interact positively in a culturally diverse environment and to deal effectively with various
levels of Vista Maria personnel, outside customers and community groups.
Demonstrated computer literacy skills at least in Word programs.
SMART GOALS
- Maintains weekly contacts as appropriate (i.e. phone calls, meetings, letters, etc.) with schools, DHS/CMS, lead
to meet the needs (socially, educationally, physically/medically, emotionally, and cognitively) of each child. All
documentation is created and filed in child file within one week.
- Maintains face-to-face contact with clients, per contract requirements. Forms to be filled out are: face-to-face
- Provides on-going education/support/coaching to foster parents at a minimum at the monthly visit and document
- Monitors medication, weekly, and picks up medication log monthly for filing in client’s chart.
- No substantiated complaints regarding personal interactions within the agency and community.
This job has no supervisory experience.
QUALIFICATION (EDUCATION / TRAINING)
Required:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, such as counseling, social work, psychology, etc., from an accredited
school.
One year of experience working with children and families.
State registration or licensure as required by licensing for funding.
A valid Michigan driver’s license without relevant restrictions.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, such as counseling, social work, psychology, etc., from and accredited
school, and some knowledge of mental issues, treatment concepts and experiences in their implementation with
children and/or families.
1-2 years same or similar experience.
Working knowledge of diagnostic criteria and coding.
Completion of Child Welfare Institute (CWI) training required by the State of Michigan.
Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) trained
Company Description
We foster restorative relationships and deliver innovative care, treatment, and education so that vulnerable youth and families believe in their worth, heal and build the skills for success.
We foster restorative relationships and deliver innovative care, treatment, and education so that vulnerable youth and families believe in their worth, heal and build the skills for success.
