Family Specialist

Functional Job Description
It is the responsibility of the Family Specialist (FS) to engage in activities designed to recruit, assess, train, approve, support, re-assess, and retain foster families by working cooperatively with internal and external sources to provide a safe environment when a child in OKDHS custody is placed in a Marland's Place foster home.

Qualifications
The Family Specialist must have the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in social work; or in a behavioral science, social science, or a related field and one (1) year of experience in children or family services; or at least nine college credit hours in family focus, individual function and interaction, child development, sociology, social work, and/or a closely related subject and two (2) years children's or family services experience.
• Required compliance with ethical practices and continuing education requirements;
• A valid driver's license with a clean driving record; and
• The ability to pass pre-employment screenings.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Foster Family (Homes) Recruitment-
   1. Engages in activities designed to recruit foster families that reflect the diversity of the children in out-of-home care and who are willing to parent the child with special needs utilizing the demographics of children needing out-of-home placement in the area being serviced.
   2. Documents foster family inquiries.
   3. Discusses with each potential applicant the basic responsibilities and requirements expected of a foster parent, the types of special services children requiring out-of-home placement have, and the process required for approval as a foster parent.
2. Foster Family Assessment-
   1. Assures a safe environment for the child by completing the initial consultation in the family's home.
   2. Evaluates the prospective foster home to assess the location, condition, and ability to accommodate children in foster care through a home assessment.
   3. Evaluates each prospective foster parent and adult household member's child welfare and criminal background history.
   4. Provides pre-service training for the foster parents.
   5. Assesses the family through the home study assessment and helps the family complete all the appropriate forms.
   6. When the assessment is approved, provides the foster family with a copy of the family assessment without the reference and verification sections.
3. Foster Family Retention-
   1. Engages in activities that value and support the foster parent's role.
   2. Assists the family with navigating the Child Welfare (CW) system.
4. Foster Family Re-assessment-
   1. Completes the yearly re-assessments by addressing concerns not previously addressed with the foster family.
   2. Documents training the foster parent completes, including the 12 hours of continuing education training required each calendar year.
   3. Provides the foster parent with materials to obtain the 12 hours of continuing education training required.
   4. Helps the foster family complete all required forms.
   5. Updates the family information.
5. Foster Home Visits:
   1. Completes monthly visitation with the foster family to provide ongoing support and address concerns or issues the foster family may have.
   2. Sees the child(ren) placed in foster care during the monthly visit with the foster family.
6. Placement Considerations for the Child in OKDHS Custody-
   1. Considers the child's physical and emotional health and safety when identifying placements.
   2. Considers the foster family's strengths and training when identifying potential children for placements.
   3. Collaborates with the foster family to place siblings together.
7. Team Member Responsibilities-
   1. Collaborates as a professional team member with OKDHS and the foster family to ensure the child's safety, welfare, and permanency.
   2. Assists with gathering information regarding the child including, but not limited to, medical and educational information, behaviors, tribal affiliations, visitation plans, and important connections to help the foster family care for the child safely and appropriately.
   3. Treats the foster family with respect and professionalism.
   4. Assists the foster family with issues and concerns regarding the children placed in the home.
8. Consults with his/her supervisor and/or director as needed in providing services to foster families and keeping children in OKDHS custody placed in Marland's Place foster homes safe.
9. Works with OKDHS and the foster family to address identified issues, concerns, or policy violations through a written plan of compliance to ensure the placement is safe and stable for children.
10. Attends the 10-day staffing held during the foster home investigation when requested by OKDHS.
11. Closure of a foster home-
    1. Assesses the need for closure of a foster home with consultation from his/her supervisor.
    2. Completes all necessary documentation related to the home's closure as outlined in Policy.
12. Coordinates/provides up-to-date training for foster families including but not limited to program orientations; first aid/CPR trainings; and OKDHS required trainings.
13. Performs all other duties/responsibilities as directed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or his/her direct supervisor.

Language/Communication/Interpersonal Skills:

• • Strong English language aptitude, including the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing (including the use of texting and email).
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; including ability to maintain effective relationships with the Board of Directors, chamber members and staff; effectively collaborate with business leaders of the community, as well as with government representatives, civic leaders and members of the public.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages. Must have strong understanding of business accounting and statistical analysis understanding.

Reasoning Ability:

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including demonstrated ability to anticipate and plan for the future and realign priorities quickly when dealing with unanticipated events. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell; stand; walk; sit and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 20 pounds. The employee may occasionally climb ladders and stairs as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employees must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments.

Work Environments:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions as well as occasionally extreme temperatures. Employees must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments.

Safety Sensitive Position (Yes/No): Yes
Safety sensitive positions are defined as a job or position where the employee holding this position has the responsibility for his/her own safety or other people's safety. It would be particularly dangerous if:

• Such an employee is using drugs or alcohol while on the job. This could include legal or illegal controlled substances.
• Employee is unable to provide their complete time and attention in performing the sensitive or hazardous tasks of the position.
• Physical limitations of the job could result in injury or harm to employee or others.

Compensation

• Staring salary $38,000+ considering degree and experience
• 120 hours of PTO annually
• 15 paid holidays
• 50% medical coverage for employee and dependents with options available for vision and dental
• Simple IRA with 3% retirement matching after 1 year of employment