Foster Care Specialist

Job Description Job Description In accordance with the Agency’s mission statement, policies and procedures, professional Code of Ethics, State ofMichigan licensing and COA standards; the Foster Care Specialist is responsible for providing direct foster caretreatment services and case management services to assigned clients.TASKS OF THE POSITIONImplements 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, courtreports, 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 basedenvironment.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’sindividual 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 trainingopportunities to ensure continual professional competence.Plans and organizes work to meet all requirements according to agency and COA standards, licensing andfunding 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 relatedservices to clients.Performs all other duties as required or requested by the agency.KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIESKnowledge 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 socialproblems, 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 andprofession.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 opportunitiesto ensure continual professional competence.Ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration to establish rapport with Vista Maria staff and representatives ofother agencies, foster care families, planning family and schools.POSITION DESCRIPTIONVista Maria Position Description - Foster Care Specialist©2007 Vista Maria R 04 / 07Page 2KNOWLEDGE / 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 variouslevels of Vista Maria personnel, outside customers and community groups.Demonstrated computer literacy skills at least in Word programs.SMART GOALS1. Maintains weekly contacts as appropriate (i.e. phone calls, meetings, letters, etc.) with schools, DHS / CMS, leadagency, and mental health agency to insure that all children assigned receive the level of advocacy that is requiredto meet the needs (socially, educationally, physically / medically, emotionally, and cognitively) of each child. Alldocumentation is created and filed in child file within one week.2. Maintains face-to-face contact with clients, per contract requirements. Forms to be filled out are : face-to-facecounseling note, first appointment of each month; mini case note for all other visits; group notes as appropriate.3. Provides on-going education / support / coaching to foster parents at a minimum at the monthly visit and documentthe specifics of the session.4. Monitors medication, weekly, and picks up medication log monthly for filing in client’s chart.5. No substantiated complaints regarding personal interactions within the agency and community.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITYThis job has no supervisory experience.QUALIFICATION (EDUCATION / TRAINING)Required : Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, such as counseling, social work, psychology, etc., from an accreditedschool.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 accreditedschool, and some knowledge of mental issues, treatment concepts and experiences in their implementation withchildren 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) trainedCompany 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. 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.