Intake Specialist – Foster Care Position Available In DeKalb, Georgia

Job Summary:

The Intake Specialist is employed by and is directly responsible to the Director, Foster Care. To receive, process, and manage placement referrals, intakes, and respite for foster children and young adults aging out of care, and coordinate resources for foster families and the Transitional and Independent Living Programs (TLP/ILP). This incumbent will be an expert in assessing and matching children to open foster homes and to TLP/ILP.

Responsibility:

Receive and respond to all foster care and TLP/ILP placement requests from DFCS counties via phone and email and following through the referral decision making process
Process placement referrals in the agency’s database management system
Review new home approvals and work closely with Foster Home Licensing Specialist to prepare for upcoming openings
Coordinate and facilitate placements into foster homes
Coordinate and facilitate placements into Independent Living Scattered Sites and Transitional Living Program Site
Assess and determine matches for children, youth, adolescent, and young adults in foster homes or ILP/TLP programs.
Develop and maintain relationships with referral sources
Complete documentation related to intake and placement- pre-placement contacts, intake and matching decisions, and initial service planning including uploading documents into extendedReach (eR) and GA Score
Enter new placements into eR and GA Score
Schedule Intake Interviews with collaboration with the residential team
Assist in incoming placement preparation including placement paperwork, first night bags (school supplies, clothing, diapers, etc.), apartment intake items (cleaning supplies, bedding, etc.)
Responsible for a caseload consisting of respite homes
Coordinate respite placements agency wide, including obtaining DFCS approval if necessary
Provide monthly respite log and prepare financial vouchers for the respite homes

DHS/DFCS/EPAC

Education Academy (EPAC) Coordinator
Maintain an updated list of available and foster homes and ILP/TLP bed space
Track and report data and trends on referrals on a monthly basis
Develop relationships with foster families, Foster Care Team and the Residential team to understand the available foster home capacity, bed space capacity, and placement parameters

Requirements:

Demonstrate Wellroot mission-driven values of integrity, excellence and inclusion, and integrate into work environment and ways of work
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in human services or related field with a minimum of two years’ experience in the child welfare field
Possess excellent assessment skills and sound judgment
Experience working in a case management database
Own, drive, and maintain an automobile in good working condition, receiving a reimbursement for agency business mileage
Understand that this job will require some evening and weekend hours of employment, and some after-hour on call responsibilities
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
Excellent time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
Possess good communication and writing skills
Agree to support the agency’s mission statement, organizational values and beliefs, and its quality assurance plan

Work Environment:

This position is located out of our Decatur Office in Tucker, Georgia. Work is conducted in an office setting as well as in the field. Fast-paced, working environment with vulnerable clients. The ability to maintain a flexible work schedule which will include evenings and weekends is required. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds. Usually sits in front of the computer 50% of the time.