Placement Specialist

Foster Care Placement Coordinator

Professional work coordinating placements for children 0-17 entering foster care in Hillsborough County or needing replacement. This involves an in-depth knowledge of available resources as well as the child welfare system, and the aptitude to match a child's distinctive needs to the least restrictive placement available. Participates in organization's continuous quality improvement efforts.

Essential Functions:

1. Work collaboratively with Child Protective Investigators and assigned case management organizations in completing intake screening for all new children or children requiring replacement. Gather history on child to include but not limited to: Medical, Dental, and Behavioral, Educational, Mental Health, Emotional Health, Trauma history, Likes, dislikes, strengths and needs.
2. Utilize system's designated data system to help facilitate placement identification and determine available placement options in the least restrictive level of care. Document all efforts in matching child to most appropriate home. Ensure all facets are considered when deciding on most appropriate placement (IE siblings, child's home school, removal area, individual needs of child, etc).
3. Complete Match reports within 24 hours of placement.
4. Work in partnership with licensing team/agencies, and residential providers to secure the most appropriate placement for child in care. This includes utilizing the telephone and email to communicate professionally with providers regarding the needs and strengths of a child.
5. Participates, as assigned, in on-call rotation responding to immediate placement needs to include new intakes, as well as emergency situations.
6. Communicate with Transportation unit daily to ensure timely coordination of transportation needs.
7. Attends QPI related events to include but not limited to HCFPA meetings and foster parent appreciation events.
8. Participate in daily meetings and staffing's as assigned to assess the children in need of placement and begin preplanning for children needing replacement and/or step down.
9. Attends a minimum of one hour of face-to-face supervision each month with immediate supervisor and/or monthly team meetings.
10. Provide post-placement support and assist in coordination of services to help stabilize placement.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in social work or a closely related field from an accredited educational institution.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with special needs children in a child welfare setting.
• Relevant case management experience and experience with foster care helpful.
• CWCM or CWCL certification is required.

Licenses &Certifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license with no record of criminal driving offense of license suspension.
• Must possess means of providing job related transportation and show proof of required insurance. Must be insurable under CHN's current auto insurance policy.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Must successfully complete and maintain FDLE clearance, Federal background and state criminal background check and sexual predator screening.
• Must be certified as a child welfare professional CWCM/CWCL.