Foster Care Family Resource Specialist

Requisition # : req15628

Location: Harrisburg, PA or Lancaster, PA

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

The Resource Family Development Specialist will be primarily responsible for recruiting, training, assessing, and licensing resource homes. This individual will also be responsible for coordinating foster care placements and matching, along with overseeing resource parent orientation and training, retention and advocacy, and involvement in community foster parent coalitions. Success in this role will be demonstrated by supporting resource parents through all aspects of placement.

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.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Recruit, assess, and license resource homes within this program;
• Administer the re-licensing process to include but not limited to completing the annual evaluations, coordinating transfers and/or relocations, and resource home closures;
• Promptly investigate complaints related to resource homes and work cooperatively with law enforcement and child protective services (CPS), when necessary;
• Administer the post-placement follow-up process on resource homes;
• Work collaboratively with the assigned Case Manager and/or other child placement agencies during the placement process;
• Maintain and update the current available homes and on-call list;
• Coordinate placement plans with the Foster Care Supervisor for Bethany’s potential resource home(s);
• Facilitate the orientation preservice training for resource home requirements;
• Coordinate the respite program process and facilitate the substitute care process, as needed;
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate on-going resource parent training;
• Serve as a resource to Case Managers on resource home issues or problems;
• Actively participate in resource parent activities and meetings;
• Assist with coordinating special events to include but not limited to Resource Parent Appreciation Dinner;
• Develop and distribute written materials for resource parents, such as brochures and handbooks;
• Attend local coalition meetings;
• Available to address emergency placement needs on an on-call basis, and participate in the on-call program as necessary;
• Demonstrate flexibility with working hours outside of the normal business hours to meet the needs of the role to include some evenings and weekends, as needed;
• Complete other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s level degree in Human Services or equivalent from an accredited college;
• Must demonstrate excellent interviewing, perceptual, diagnostic, and family assessment skills;
• Must be a team player and collaborative;
• Must have an ability to analyze and think critically about issues and solutions;
• Knowledge of office practices, procedures and business equipment;
• Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
• Must be a self-starter with an ability to work independently;
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of 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 Commitment to Unity.