Foster Care Homefinding Specialist

Homefinding Recruiter

The Homefinding Recruiter is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies designed at recruiting foster and adoptive parents for children and youth served by the foster care program with Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. The recruiter will have a basic knowledge of the operations of the Homefinding/Intake process. The recruiter will assist with the training required to certify and approve foster adoptive parents. The recruiter will undertake collaborative efforts to identify, support and engage appropriate foster/adoptive parents. The recruiter will assist the Homefinding/Intake/Training Department with the matching process by identifying appropriate foster/adoptive homes for the children and youth served by the agency. This position offers a full-time, 35 hour per week, hybrid/in field schedule based in Brooklyn, NY. It requires routine travel throughout New York City's Five Boroughs. This position requires flexibility in scheduling and requires weekend and evening work.

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a human services nonprofit supporting the well-being of children, youth, families, and individuals across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 builds well-being by providing prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and medical and mental health services.

Principle Responsibilities

• Responsible for identifying, planning and attending recruitment events to recruit potential foster/adoptive foster parents
• Designs creative strategies for identifying prospective foster/adoptive parents
• Performs comprehensive assessments of prospective foster/adoptive families
• Conducts initial home visits to assess the viability of potential foster homes according to Administration for Children Services (ACS), New York State and agency's regulations
• Become familiar with MAPP and LGBTQ training curriculum and be available to facilitate MAPP and LGBTQ trainings
• Assists with facilitating foster/adoptive parents orientation meetings
• Utilizes public relations, media contacts and community resources to assist in recruitment activities
• Participates in the screening and investigative process of prospective foster families
• Assists with the Re-certifying and/ or re-approving of foster/adoptive homes
• Reviews and ensures that submitted applications and forms are thoroughly completed and submitted for processing in a timely manner
• Makes initial contact with prospective foster/adoptive families within 24 to 48 hours of inquiry
• Locates and conducts recruitment efforts at community and neighborhood events while generating enthusiasm within the agency and community around foster parent recruitment and retention
• Following- up with applicants within 24 - 48 hours after each orientation meeting
• Represents the agency at meetings and events hosted by the agency and ACS
• Other duties as required by department director and supervisor

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of two years' experience in the field of child welfare with at least one year experience in Homefinding/foster care and/or adoption
• Fluency in Spanish
• Ability to work as a team-player
• Skills in identifying and building a network of community relationships
• Ability and skill to speak in public; to inspire, encourage and motivate others to become foster/adoptive parents
• Ability to accommodate flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel in and around the metropolitan New York City region

Preferred Qualifications

• MAPP certification a plus

Travel Requirements

This position offers a full-time, 35 hour per week, hybrid/in field schedule in Brooklyn, NY. It requires routine travel throughout New York City's Five Boroughs.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John's Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.

Accessibility

Some job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may be designed to protect the safety and health of the employee, their fellow employees and the individuals being served and may therefore exclude some individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected group status.