The Child Placing Agency Specialist provides on-going support services to foster families which includes assisting with children placed within the home. Under supervision of the Child Placing Agency Supervisor and while working closely with other assigned staff, Child Placing Agency Specialists will provide intake services and assist with placement recommendations and/or service planning. The Child Placing Agency Specialist will also help by recruiting and training foster families while also providing emotional support, professional guidance and crisis assistance.

Full-Time

Essential Functions

- Carries an average caseload of 22 active families

- Accepts referral information regarding potential placements for children in care and match with foster families

- Conducts home visits and reviews documentation on foster children on a monthly basis

- Conducts home visits on assigned active respite families on a monthly basis

- Ensures each home is compliant with DCF regulations and completes home report following home visits

- Assists foster parents in accessing resources to meet foster child needs

- Ensures that foster parents attend trainings throughout the year for their annual relicensing requirements

- Completes renewal process and exceptions as necessary

- Conducts family assessments at time of renewal licensing

- Updates Electronic Record System and openings list once weekly at a minimum or upon request

- Facilitates support meetings other activities for foster families regularly

- Tracks DCF Notice of Survey Findings (NOSF) to ensure that compliance actions are completed and investigations are closed

- Tracks MVR reports to ensure that corrective actions are completed

- Develops and tracks compliance action plans (CAPs) and/or safety plans with foster families as required

- Assists in the process of recruiting new foster families and attending recruitment events

- Completes monthly reports documenting current behaviors on each child in assigned foster home

- Provides crisis/on call services and 24 hour, 7 days a week support to assigned foster families

- Submits an incident report when appropriate

- Maintains good working relationships and facilitates communication with the foster family, foster child, and collateral agencies and staff

- Provides information about placements, respites, discharges, etc., via the childchange email for billing accuracy

- Approves foster parent payment reports twice a month after ensuring accuracy

- Conducts adoption home studies as needed

- Maintains regular contact with supervisor

- Requires the ability to maintain strict confidentiality

- Attend monthly CPA meeting and in person meetings

- Participates in the foster family conference and child welfare conference

- Conducts pre-service training for prospective foster and adoptive families

- Completes pre-service Summary / Recommendations and Strengths / Needs

Education, Experience, and Licensure

- Requires a bachelor's degree in human services field

- Licensure preferred

- Requires at least two years child welfare and/or family services experience

- Must possess a valid state Driver's License, in force automobile liability insurance, and maintain a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) that meets organization's insurability standard as defined by DCCCA policy. Availability of reliable transportation is required for this position

EOE