Foster Parent Recruiter (Bilingual Required)

Role: Foster Parent Recuiter (Bilingual Required)
Position: Foster Parent Engagement Specialist
Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Reports to: Program Coordinator
Company DePelchin Children's Center
Location: Houston, TX

Position Description :
The Foster Parent Engagement Specialist recruits, engages, and supports prospective foster, kinship, transfer, and foster/adopt families from initial inquiry through home study completion and licensure. As the first point of contact, this position provides information, guidance, and ongoing support to help families successfully navigate the application and licensing process. Serving as a primary liaison for both English- and Spanish-speaking families, the Specialist plays a critical role in supporting Spanish-preferred families by providing culturally responsive communication, education, and assistance throughout the licensing journey. Through outreach, orientation facilitation, home visits, and consistent follow-up, the position helps families feel informed, connected, and supported. Working collaboratively with application, home development, and kinship teams, the Specialist promotes a welcoming and streamlined experience while advancing foster parent recruitment, kinship engagement, and retention efforts through trauma-informed and family-centered practices.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Guide and track prospective kinship, transfer, and foster/adopt families through the application process from point of inquiry through completion of the home study process, maintaining consistent communication and follow-up to encourage engagement and timely completion of requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective families, with an emphasis on Spanish-speaking families, by providing information on foster care, kinship care, foster/adopt programs, transfer processes, licensing requirements, and agency expectations.
• Conduct intake conversations, preliminary screenings, and initial home visits to assess family readiness, identify potential barriers or safety concerns, and provide guidance regarding licensing and home study requirements.
• Educate families on agency policies, licensing standards, training expectations, required documentation, and environmental and safety requirements necessary for foster home approval.
• Collaborate with licensing, home development, kinship, and other agency teams to facilitate referrals, coordinate services, and ensure families progress through required milestones.
• Coordinate outreach and engagement efforts with kinship staff, community partners, and referral sources to identify, recruit, and connect prospective families to agency services and licensing opportunities.
• Participate in recruitment initiatives, informational meetings, community presentations, networking events, and outreach activities to promote foster care, kinship care, and family engagement, with an emphasis on bilingual and underserved communities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, stakeholders, and referral partners to strengthen recruitment and kinship engagement efforts.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of family engagement, communications, licensing progress, and outreach activities within agency databases and tracking systems.
• Utilize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered practices while providing professional and exceptional customer service in all interactions.
• Provide exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and sensitivity in all interactions.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Family Studies, Communications, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education requirement.
• Minimum five (5) years' experience in child welfare, foster care, kinship services, family engagement, social services, or a related field.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations and bilingual communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting families through licensing, case management, intake, or home development processes.
• Experience in outreach, recruitment, or community engagement.
• Experience with data tracking systems, case management systems, or CRM databases.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of foster care, kinship care, adoption, and licensing processes are preferred.
• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple families and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments and regional teams.
• Strong problem-solving, follow-up, and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends for recruitment and community events.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel or similar software.
• Knowledge of Social Work practices.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral communication.
• Crisis management skills with the ability to handle high-stress situations effectively.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse populations and work force.
• Ability to work flexible hours which vary according to client needs.

Work Conditions:

• Environment: Home-based office, Community-based settings
• Range of Schedule: Mon - Fri, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Occasional evenings and weekends based on recruitment activities, orientations, or community events.
• Travel: Local and regional may be required for outreach events, meetings, or collaboration with statewide kinship teams. Must have reliable personal transportation and current auto insurance.

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.