Licensing / Foster Care Specialist

Reports To: Program Director / Assistant Program Director

About Family Services of America

Family Services of America (FSA) is a CARF-accredited behavioral health and child welfare organization and a licensed foster care agency in the state of North Carolina, headquartered in North Carolina. FSA provides trauma-informed, evidence-based care to children and families, including licensed foster care and therapeutic foster care, case management, clinical and behavioral health services, and wraparound supports. Our team is committed to the safety, well-being, and healthy development of the children and families we serve, delivering culturally and linguistically responsive services in a supportive, child-centered environment.

The Opportunity

The Licensing / Foster Care Specialist manages the licensing, certification, and ongoing compliance of foster homes and the residential facility for FSA’s foster care program, ensuring all homes and operations meet NC DHHS licensing standards and CARF accreditation requirements.

Please note: This is a grant-funded, term-limited position for up to three years. Continuation is contingent on grant funding.

What You Will Own

• Coordinate the licensing, re-licensing, and certification of foster homes in accordance with NC DSS/DHHS foster care licensing standards.

• Conduct and document home studies, safety inspections, and ongoing compliance reviews to maintain continuous licensure.

• Maintain complete, audit-ready licensing files for foster homes and the residential facility.

• Support facility licensing, certificate of occupancy, and ongoing licensing compliance activities.

• Coordinate foster parent training, support, and compliance in collaboration with the Recruitment Specialists.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field.

• Knowledge of NC DSS/DHHS foster care licensing standards.

• Must be at least 21 years of age. Employment is contingent on successful completion of all required background checks and credentialing, including FBI fingerprint, state repository, child abuse and neglect, and sex offender registry checks, and proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases.

• Minimum 2 years of direct foster care licensing experience (or equivalent direct licensing/compliance experience) 

• Experience with North Carolina DSS/DHHS foster home licensing regulations.

• Experience conducting home studies, licensing inspections, compliance reviews, and maintaining licensing files.

• Experience preparing and submitting licensing documentation for state review.

• Strong knowledge of NC DSS/DHHS foster care licensing standards required. Experience with CARF accreditation is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

• Experience with CARF accreditation and therapeutic foster care licensing.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $46,800 – $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include group health, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid basic life insurance (coverage begins after the eligibility period); paid time off and paid federal holidays; professional development; GSA-rate mileage reimbursement; and workers’ compensation per N.C.G.S. § 97-2.