Foster Care Worker

For 100 years, American Children's Home has been a safe and loving place for children to call home. Our vision is that everyone we serve builds the foundation for a successful future and as a member of our community, you can make a lifelong difference that impacts generations. A Foster Care Worker establishes supportive, professional relationships with foster families, children, and agency staff while ensuring quality care, effective program implementation, regulatory compliance, and thorough case management. This individual supports families in assessing their strengths and needs, setting goals, monitoring progress, and accessing community resources and opportunities that promote the well-being of the children in their care. Responsibilities also include recruiting prospective foster parents, assisting with family training and licensing, coordinating child admissions and discharges, maintaining compliant case files for assigned children and families, and conducting routine home visits within the community. As part of a collaborative and dedicated team , the Foster Care Worker also helps children develop life skills and developmental competencies, provides guidance related to educational and career opportunities, and participates in permanency planning to support long-term stability and success for each child.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with foster families, DSS Social Workers, guardians ad litem, and other professionals or vested parties to promote a holistic team approach in the service of children.
• Participate in the intake process to review and select children for placement in agency licensed foster homes.
• Secure all required information, documentation, and signatures upon acceptance into the program and at the time of intake/discharge.
• Responsible for measuring outcomes, record keeping/review, and maintenance of all case files with up-to-date information as specified by state licensing and accreditation standards.
• Ensure access to counseling and appropriate services for children and monitor schedule of health care appointments to comply with licensing and accreditation standards.
• Assist children with self-assessment of strengths and needs to create and/or update the individual service plan, set goals, and evaluate progress.
• Cultivate caring, supportive relationships with children and families and provide a minimum of one hour per month of individual face-to-face time with each child.
• Utilize shared parenting methods and cooperate in the reunification process with the biological family when recommended.
• Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance your professional skill set and meet training hour requirements for your position.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of trauma-informed care in your daily practice as a human services professional.
• Plan and participate in regular family-focused activities and programming

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in social work or a bachelor's degree in a human services field and 2 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Valid driver's license and acceptable safe driving record must be maintained
• Intermediate computer skills
• MAPP training highly preferred
• CARE and TCI certification or willing to become certified through the agency
• 1st Aid, CPR certification or willing to become certified through the agency

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Loan forgiveness Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you have experience working with foster families and foster children? Are you a Certified MAPP Trainer?

Work Location:

In person