Foster Care Licensing Specialist

At Wellpoint Care Network, our mission is to facilitate equity, learning, healing, and wellness by restoring the connections that help children and families thrive.

Every person deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. It’s part of human nature, and the promise of our country, that everyone be given a fair chance to be and do their best. Yet, many in our community live with unresolved childhood and generational trauma.  

That’s where we come in. We believe we can create a world where children and families have a clearer path to their fullest potential. Wellpoint Care Network has championed the restoration of families for nearly 175 years.

Job Purpose: 

Our next Foster Care Licensing Specialist will assess potential foster parent applicants and follows all state and federal guidelines during the licensing process. They ensure that foster parents receive the support that they need in order to successfully care for children in their home. The Foster Care Licensing Specialist will uphold Wellpoint values and promotes Wellpoint’s vision that every child and family can thrive.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field required.
• Social Work certification preferred. 
• Child Welfare experience required. Foster Care Licensing and/or Adoption experience preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Experience working with families of a diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic background strongly preferred.
• Ability to assess potential foster families to determine their ability to care for foster children.
• Basic computer skills required. eWiSACWIS experience preferred.
• SAFE Home Study Certification or ability to obtain certification within 3 months of hire.
• Must be at least 21 years of age to transport children or families.
• Proficient in the usage of computer software; demonstrate an understanding of computer file systems and computer software packages, e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, ADP, etc.
• Must be honest, dependable, and able to meet deadlines; Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Physical exam, drug screen, motor vehicle report, and background checks are required for this position.
• A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or occupational driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance is required.

Duties:

Program Requirements and Training

•Educate clients and collateral professionals regarding eligibility, requirements, and expectations of program participation.

Direct Services and Parent Engagement.

Direct Services

•Based upon program need, completes primarily initial or ongoing assessment of foster and adoptive families, Level 1-5, utilizing a structured home study tool and process including during the relicensing process.

•Effectively interprets, applies, and enforces requirements of DCF Administrative Code 12, 50, 51, 54 & 56; Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 48; Indian Child Welfare Act; Adoption & Safe Families Act; Multi-Ethnic Placement Act, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare Policy & Procedure and Agency policy and accreditation standards.

Teamwork

•Regularly collaborates with child welfare and foster care colleagues to best meet the needs of children and foster families. 

•Participates in the recruitment and retention of foster families.

Compliance

•Performs regular licensing visits based on level of care requirements to ensure compliance with all applicable licensing standards, quality care and to assess the needs of the child and foster family. 

•Ensures licensing timelines are met 100% of the time.

Assessment and Decision Making

•Assess the need for developing and implementing a support plan for each foster parent to address training needs and other supports required to meet the needs of each individual child placed in the home. 

•Team with foster parents and colleagues to ensure placement stability whenever safe and possible.

Licensing Regulations

•Reviews potential licensing violations and incidents as they arise.

•Makes recommendations regarding disciplinary action if needed include license holds and closures.

•Maintains open communication with placement team and ongoing case management staff regarding the status of foster home licenses following a report.

Collaboration

•Actively collaborate with placement liaison, initial assessment, ongoing case managers and permanency consultants to determine best placement match that meets the needs of the child with the abilities, skills, and training of the foster home.

•Participate in the daytime coverage rotation by providing support during high volume placement days as well as ensuring all calls to the foster parent information line are responded to.

Tracking and Training Requirements

•Enters all applicable licensing information, training, and case notes into Kaleidacare and eWiSACWIS within 72 business hours. 

•Responsible for tracking all licensing decisions and reporting data on a regular basis as required by contract reporting and strategic planning.

Agency Engagement

•All employees will be evaluated on their demonstration of a consistent commitment to the Agency’s Seven Essential Ingredients, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and engagement in the strategic initiatives of the organization. This will be measured by their active participation in committees and workgroups, and by their communication and practice within their daily work and in the community.

•Other duties as assigned, including serving in a coverage role for other department members.

•Participates in assigned meetings, events and learning as required.

Position Details & Extras:

• Full time.
• Onsite / Hybrid work is available with reliable broadband connection.
• Fast paced, flexible work schedule includes evenings and some weekends to accommodate program needs.
• Moderate exposure to noise.
• Subject to frequent interruptions with ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the cultural differences among diverse groups and the need to adapt service provision to match these differences in respectful ways.
• Strong internal and external verbal and written communication skills.
• Negotiation, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Organization and time management skills.
•  Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Wellpoint employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 
• Regular travel in personal vehicles is required with the ability to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Organizational Information: 

At Wellpoint Care Network, we have seen exactly how trauma, poverty, systemic racism, social injustices, and other barriers create instability in all areas of life. The people in our care face education and health disparities, high unemployment rates and unaffordable housing. What’s worse, many have lost connections to resources, family, friends, and other support systems. We have seen the toll it has on a person’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being to try and successfully navigate complex systems that may have failed them in the past.

We believe there is a better way. So, we have anchored ourselves in our 170 years of caring for our neighbors through modernized human services.

Wellpoint Care Network provides a rich continuum of services, including:

•        Child Welfare and Foster Care 

•        Support for youth who have aged out of care

•        Care Coordination and Wraparound services 

•        Mental health therapy and supports such as our Clinic, Family Preservation, Caregiver Support, and Integrated Community Treatment

•        Professional education and clinical consultation (for organizations, schools, and individual/family) 

Wellpoint Care also works to promote a diverse and caregiving environment to ensure that those we serve and employ are valued, accepted, respected, and treated equitably.

•        Equity means we work tirelessly toward fair and just treatment, systems, and policies. At Wellpoint Care Network, we believe that we are accountable – individually and collectively – when inequity or injustice replaces equity and inclusion. 

•        Inclusivity means that we consciously build groups that welcome and celebrate differences in age, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, gender expression, education, socio-economic background, personal history, geographical location, marital status, parental status, and work experiences.   

Interested parties please apply online. We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourage minority candidates to apply. For more information, visit our website www.wellpointcare.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer