Foster Care Support Specialist

Company: Boys Town
Location: Portsmouth
Posted on: May 7, 2022

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY: The Foster Family Services Consultant independently coordinates the placement of children in foster family homes and develops all aspects of the childs program including developing and implementing the childs service plan and setting long and short term goals. This position also supervises and monitors foster families to ensure they are providing safe and humane service to the children in their home. Starting pay: $20.50 (based on education and experience) ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES:

• Independently coordinates youth referrals.
  • Screens and assesses child referrals and interviews youth to determine eligibility.
  • Schedules pre-placement visits with child and potential foster family and assists in matching youth with an appropriate family.
  • Participates in the recruiting and selection process of Foster Parents including home study evaluations.
  • Develops all aspects of the childs program and sets short and long-term goals and objectives for the youth.
    • Consults and collaborates with referral source, Foster Parents, teachers, school counselors, and other professionals involved with the youth.
    • Assists families with referrals to other community services identified in the plan of service and provides advocacy for the youth and their families to receive entitlements or needed services.
    • Prepares intake and discharge summaries, routine progress reports and plans. Evaluates plan and recommends changes.
    • Develops and monitors the childs service plan to include collecting initial and ongoing assessment data, developing the service plan and making modifications as necessary.
    • Maintains monthly statistics and data needed for program accountability and billing for client services.
    • Conducts periodic consumer evaluations.
    • Responds to client emergencies within or outside normal work hours.
    • Supervises and develops Foster Parents.
      • Meets with Foster Parents following scheduled reporting guidelines, and as needed, to discuss administrative and programmatic issues, review progress, and provide support and guidance in areas of concern.
      • Supervises the care and service that the Foster Parents provide including observing their interactions with the foster children and providing them with ongoing feedback on how to best meet their needs.
      • Initiates and modifies development plans for each of their foster families to ensure they are aware of their strengths and areas to develop and understand their role as Foster Parents
      • Provides ongoing training and teaching to the Foster Parents through formal group training opportunities, web-based learning and one-on-one training in the Foster Parents home.
      • Coordinates communication between the child and his/her family.
        • Maintains contact with the family and responds to issues/concerns from the family in a supportive and timely fashion.
        • Encourages and expects Foster Parents to communicate openly with the family regarding the care and service that they are providing to the child in their home as appropriate.
        • Assists with the reunification of child into his/her home communities.
        • Assists with follow-up and aftercare services to family as needed.
        • May be trained to become a certified Common Sense Parenting Instructor and as a certified instructor may be asked to conduct Common Sense Parenting (CSP) Courses at designated locations as assigned.
        • Serves as a role model in carrying out the Father Flanagans Boys Home mission.
          • Directs all activities towards the fulfillment of the Boys Town mission
          • Directs all actions to reflect the values and principles of Boys Town
          • Establishes and maintains an environment that encourages teamwork, collaboration, and ethical behavior
          • Maintains regular, reliable and predictable attendance
          • Supports other members of the management team and their work KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
            • Experience working with local and state agencies and foster care services.
            • Intermediate knowledge of the child welfare system.
            • Independent decision making skills and competencies to work in crisis situations when circumstances warrant such action.
            • Ability to work with confrontational clients and their families; necessary temperament to work with children and families experiencing crisis.
            • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and role modeling.
            • Computer skills in Microsoft Office.
            • Ability to communicate with individuals at all levels in the organization and with external contacts in an articulate, professional manner.
            • Knowledge of Boys Town Model.
            • Ability to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with children and families, staff, and support agencies.
            • Advanced critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including ability to make assessments and use sound judgment. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
              • Bachelors degree in Human Services or related field.
              • 1 to 2 years of experience including working with children and families; experience working with children and families in community-based programs or Boys Town Programs preferred.
              • Must possess a valid drivers license with a good driving record and pass an annual Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) check. Must have the ability to provide own transportation to complete travel requirements of job. Must meet auto insurance requirements established by Boys Town policy and/or State and Local laws.
              • This position is available rotationally to provide crisis response and must be available to work non-traditional business hours including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays. About Boys Town Nebraska: A National Historic Landmark since 1985, the Village of Boys Town is now the only National Historic Landmark District in Nebraska. At any given time, about 400 boys and girls live in the Village, receiving care and guidance for a wide range of behavioral, emotional and academic issues. When Father Edward J. Flanagan purchased the Overlook Farm in 1921, it became the new, permanent site of Boys Town. Over the decades that followed, schools, churches and homes were built, and tens of thousands of young lives were transformed. Our employees are our supporters when it comes to achieving Boys Towns mission, which is why we offer an array of competitive and attractive benefit options. Unique perks to Boys Town employees and their families include free visits to Boys Town Physicians, free prescriptions, tuition assistance, access to the campus Field House, parenting resources from our experts and advancement opportunities within the organization, just to name a few. Working at Boys Town is more than just a job, it is a way of life. Date Posted: May 3, 2022 This advertisement describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. Boys Town is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. To request a disability-related accommodation in the application process, contact us at 1-.
                

Keywords: Boys Town, Fall River , Foster Care Support Specialist, Other , Portsmouth, Massachusetts