Foster Care Program Manager, Domestic and URM

Requisition #: req9391

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

As a Foster Care Program Manager, you will be primarily responsible for the successful administration and management of the Foster Care team. This individual will also manage placement to ensure children are placed in the least restrictive and most family like environment available, as well as supervise the training and recruitment of foster families. This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

• Responsible for comprehensive case process from intake, case assignment, foster family assessment, placement, and family supervision to case closure including post placement support services;
• Provide regularly scheduled formal and informal supervision to staff and interns;
• Regularly assess each supervisor’s systems of reviewing cases and their status with the case managers to ensure that quality assessments occur;
• Supervise staff consistent with job requirements, program and agency expectations, DHS licensing requirements, DHS contract, MSA and COA standards;
• Ensure agency policies and procedures are enforced through completion of staff evaluations, conference requests, time sheets and reimbursement vouchers and other relevant documentation;
• Maintain programming in accordance with project team approved on-line service manuals;
• Ensure that outcome measures of DHS and other contracts are met in a timely and effective manner;
• Manage staffing and vacation schedules to ensure adequate coverage and availability of services;
• Ensure effective operations through recruitment, selection, training and orientation of new staff;
• Oversee coordination of case distribution assignments in a fair and equitable manner;
• Responsible for building a cohesive team and maintain positive staff morale;
• Participate in program and agency committees that address service delivery systems and implement program development;
• Maintain awareness of current trends, theories, state licensing regulations, legislation and practices through review of professional journals and literature, participation in relevant educational forums and regular involvement with the Michigan Federation;
• Maintain, enhance and develop positive and professional relationships with referral sources, community agencies, courts and individuals. Participate in community forums as relevant to job responsibilities;
• Lead new opportunities for foster care growth in the West Michigan area;
• Develop and maintain Foster Care and Treatment Foster Care on-line operating manuals;
• Participate in the preparation of the annual budget, goals, scorecards and objectives;
• Work in collaboration with other program staff to ensure effective coordination of services between foster care, licensing, counseling and adoption units;
• Participate in and ensure that on-call system meets program needs;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services or equivalent field of study from an accredited college with four (4) years of experience in child welfare or Master’s degree in Human Services, Social Work or related field of study from an accredited college two (2) years of experience in child welfare;
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience;
• Demonstrated ability with providing excellent clinical, therapeutic, and crisis intervention skills;
• Obtain and maintain the appropriate professional licensure and registration;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must exhibit an ability to apply the principles of logic and critical thinking with problem solving;
• Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Active motor vehicle license and maintain a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment.

We value and embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; our culture is strengthened and our workplace is more dynamic. We are a global organization with multicultural staff, clients and stakeholders, so we strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. More work remains, but we are deeply committed to honestly acknowledging and addressing the impacts of race and racism throughout the organization. This work can be uncomfortable and even painful, but we believe that the greatest challenges bear the greatest rewards.

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