Foster Parent Specialist

Description About CCC: Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. We are passionate about the work we do in our communities, providing 31 critical services at 7 locations throughout Virginia. CCC provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information (including family medical history) in all aspects of employment including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and benefits, except where there is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the agency. Commonwealth Catholic Charities is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a drug screening and background check. SUMMARY: This position is responsible for recruiting, assessing, and training qualified foster parents for the Foster Care Program. Traveling to the Richmond office as needed. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Assist in development and implementation of foster parent recruitment and retention plan. Identifies foster parent training needs and provides ongoing and support to families. Develops and coordinates foster parent orientation, pre-service training, and/or on-going training. May recruit families to provide care for specialized high needs youth. Conducts home studies and certifies foster families. Makes presentations and provides information to community groups as needed. Coordinates program participation in cultural festivals and other community events. Assists in the development of new program services and placement options as needed. Participates as member of Placement/Referral Committee to review and approve all placements in the region; may coordinate placements and take referrals. Participates in staff training and meetings. May provide foster care services for small caseload in accordance with State Licensing Standards and Program policy and procedures as back-up or in the absence of others. Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner. Demonstrates sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills. Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Qualifications EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: A doctorate or master's degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work such as sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling, with a student placement in casework services to children and families or one year of experience in providing casework services to children and families; A baccalaureate degree in social work or a field related to social work including, but not limited to, sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling and one year of experience in providing casework services to children and families; or A baccalaureate degree in any field plus two years experience in providing casework services to children and families. Strongly prefer foster care experience A case worker trainee would have the same duties and responsibilities above, but would meet the following education and experience conditions: The trainee shall have a baccalaureate degree in any field; The program director or a child-placing supervisor shall directly supervise the trainee and develop a written training program listing topics to be covered during the period of time the individual is a trainee; and Placement decisions made by the trainee shall be approved by the supervisor. Full-time Employee Benefits: Retirement savings - After one year of employment, the agency contributes 4% of your plan year earnings into a savings account for you and will match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of salary if an employee makes contributions to the plan. That's an 8% annual contribution to your retirement savings! PTO - earn 16 days off for vacation, sick, or personal time in your first year. This goes up to 22 days in your second year and keeps climbing every five years. Holidays - Enjoy eleven paid holidays Other paid leave at no cost to employees - bereavement, short-term disability, long-term disability, paid parental leave Virginia Credit Union memberships Employee Assistance program - Free services including five free confidential consultations with a mental health professional Medical Insurance - a choice of 4 PPO plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency. Dental Insurance - a choice of two dental plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency. Vision Insurance Life insurance - paid by agency with option to purchase additional coverage Other insurance benefits - flexible spending accounts including dependent care, health savings account (for qualified HDHP participants), legal resources