What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Care Social Worker position at Children's Home Society of West Virginia?
Job Description
Children's Home Society of WV is seeking a full-time Foster Care Social Worker (with Homefinding Responsibilities) at our Martinsburg location.
What you will be doing:
Company Description
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is a private, non-profit, child welfare organization founded in 1896. The Society has 13 primary locations, 8 emergency child shelters, statewide foster care and adoption services, as well as a variety of in-home and in-community family support and intervention programs. Each year, we provide crucial assistance to more than 16,000 children and their families throughout the state. Our board members, staff, and volunteers continue to celebrate the Society’s century-old tradition of service to West Virginia’s children and families and dedicate themselves to our mission of promoting the well-being of children. We aim to help build a future where, ultimately, our services are no longer needed: where every child has a safe and permanent home, a family to love them, and opportunities to thrive.
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is a private, non-profit, child welfare organization founded in 1896. The Society has 13 primary locations, 8 emergency child shelters, statewide foster care and adoption services, as well as a variety of in-home and in-community family support and intervention programs. Each year, we provide crucial assistance to more than 16,000 children and their families throughout the state. Our board members, staff, and volunteers continue to celebrate the Society’s century-old tradition of service to West Virginia’s children and families and dedicate themselves to our mission of promoting the well-being of children. We aim to help build a future where, ultimately, our services are no longer needed: where every child has a safe and permanent home, a family to love them, and opportunities to thrive.
Children's Home Society of WV is seeking a full-time Foster Care Social Worker (with Homefinding Responsibilities) at our Martinsburg location.
What you will be doing:
- Screen referrals and assess the appropriateness of the foster care program for children and youth.
- Place children with foster and/or adoptive families who are best able to meet the needs of that child and/or sibling group.
- Recruit, train, and license foster families.
- Complete thorough assessments, treatment plans, and service plans with children and their families, plus all other required documentation, and ensure the appropriate implementation of each.
- Set specific and attainable goals, which are relevant to children and their families. Communicate and document progress.
- Conduct home visits with children and their foster/adoptive families and provide meaningful observation.
- Ensure the timeliness, accuracy, and grammatical construction of all reports and correspondence.
- Explore, procure, coordinate, and utilize appropriate community resources and services for children and families.
- Communicate effectively with and coordinate services with other providers for the best interest of the child.
- Maintain regular contact with local agencies (WV DHHR, Mental Health, Board of Education, schools, etc.) to discuss treatment plans, behavioral assessments, and the like.
- Advocate for children and their families.
- Attend court hearings and be prepared to testify in the best interest of the child.
- Act as a key worker and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Provide individual and group supportive counseling sessions with children, foster/adoptive families, birth families, and other appropriate individuals connected to the child's permanency plan.
- Schedule and supervise visitation for children and their birth families, when necessary.
- Participate in foster parent recruitment activities, including open houses, community outreach events, information fairs, retention and recognition events, and other similar activities.
- Conduct training and facilitate support groups for foster/adoptive families.
- Be consistently available for consultation and support.
- Participate in program quality control.
- Report all incidents of abuse and/or neglect.
- Commit to the vision of permanency for every child.
- Passion and determination.
- Positive attitude and team-oriented spirit.
- Willingness to pursue growth and learning.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to multitask.
- Ability to build and maintain professional helping relationships.
- Desire to make a positive impact on the life of a child.
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field; social work license or eligibility required.
- Demonstrated ability to work with children, youth, and families.
- Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage.
- Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.
- Availability for periodic on-call support.
- Ability to understand and support the values of family-centered services, which include committing to family stability and the development of skills in assessing risk to children to ensure safety.
- Willingness to comply with professional standards as specified by the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Salary is based on level of education and professional experience.
Company Description
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is a private, non-profit, child welfare organization founded in 1896. The Society has 13 primary locations, 8 emergency child shelters, statewide foster care and adoption services, as well as a variety of in-home and in-community family support and intervention programs. Each year, we provide crucial assistance to more than 16,000 children and their families throughout the state. Our board members, staff, and volunteers continue to celebrate the Society’s century-old tradition of service to West Virginia’s children and families and dedicate themselves to our mission of promoting the well-being of children. We aim to help build a future where, ultimately, our services are no longer needed: where every child has a safe and permanent home, a family to love them, and opportunities to thrive.
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is a private, non-profit, child welfare organization founded in 1896. The Society has 13 primary locations, 8 emergency child shelters, statewide foster care and adoption services, as well as a variety of in-home and in-community family support and intervention programs. Each year, we provide crucial assistance to more than 16,000 children and their families throughout the state. Our board members, staff, and volunteers continue to celebrate the Society’s century-old tradition of service to West Virginia’s children and families and dedicate themselves to our mission of promoting the well-being of children. We aim to help build a future where, ultimately, our services are no longer needed: where every child has a safe and permanent home, a family to love them, and opportunities to thrive.