Foster Care Advocate Foster Case worker/Social worker

FOSTER CARE ADVOCATE

This is a Half-Time or Full-Time position (depending on the best candidate's preference).

The Foster Care Advocate is responsible for assisting in the development of the foster care program for Nightlight Christian Adoptions. This employee will be responsible for the recruitment of foster parents as well as case management and service coordination for children in foster/foster adoptive homes. This employee must also build and maintain good working relationships with agency staff and community organizations, including the local department of child welfare, private foster care agencies, and any other service provider for children in foster care and foster parents. In addition, this person must have reliable transportation with appropriate insurance to allow children to be transported, when needed.

• Duties
• General
• Timely and accurately record into Agency database (SAM) required information on families and children, including but not limited to; correspondence with family and pertinent individuals in the child's case, monthly notes, pertinent dates, and required documentation of child's medical and dental appointments, school records, etc. 
• Attend staff meetings.
• All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and or Nightlight’s Management team.
• Foster Care Coordination
• Work with the Executive Director to develop policies and procedures for the foster care program.
• Provide necessary case management for individual children and families.
• Be available during business hours and some non-business hours to meet with foster parents and other interested parties, as needed.
• On-call 24/7 for emergency foster placements and other emergencies that occur in the foster home.
• Work in conjunction with the Home Study Coordinator to ensure completion of initial and renewal certification process for families, including training, development plans, and monthly monitoring.
• Maintain current knowledge of the state licensing regulations as they relate to foster care.
• Recruit foster parents, specifically with the goal of finding families who meet the foster care needs of the counties and state where Nightlight is licensed.
• Serve as a liaison between the agency, local department of child welfare, and advocacy/support groups.
• Prepare all necessary written documents for court, administrative reviews, school meetings, etc.
• Complete all contact notes in SAM.
• Matching, Placement and Follow-Up
• Staff all potential foster care matches with the Executive Director or their designee for approval.
• Conduct foster care match meetings with families when indicated.
• Work with the Executive Director or their designee to coordinate foster care ICPC services with other state departments and agencies when necessary.
• Maintain necessary forms for obtaining medical and other background reports, as needed. Ensure all forms are uploaded into Agency database (SAM).
• Work closely with the Executive Director regarding foster care placement issues.
• Work with Foster/Adoptive Families
• Complete initial and renewal certification process for prospective foster families, including training development plans and monthly monitoring in accordance with the governing contract.
• Complete home studies in accordance with licensing standards.
• Ensure orientation checklist and necessary materials have been sent to each new foster parent.
• Complete and document all calls and face to face meetings with new inquiries.
• Maintain the foster care program outline of requirements for foster parents.
• Assess each foster parent through monthly contact, and, when necessary, provide them with additional support and education as needed.
• Provide post-placement services to foster/adoptive parents including facilitating contact between birth parents, foster/adoptive parents and the child, as well as provide ongoing support.
• Education
• Maintain the standard of ethics for the social work or related profession, licensing, accrediting bodies, and state and local laws.
• Maintain all necessary state and local certifications.
• Be knowledgeable about child welfare, adoption, infertility, bonding and attachment, loss and grieving issues. Also, be knowledgeable about child development, life cycles,

identity formation, family dynamics, PTSD, importance of cultural/racial heritage and diversity, and disciplinary techniques.

• Maintain educational hours to meet licensing and accreditation requirements, which may include at least 15 hours per year or 30 hours every 2 years
• Attend professional workshops, seminars, conferences, and read books/articles to maintain professional expertise.
• Speak at seminars, workshops, informational meetings, and attend other adoption related events on behalf of Nightlight, as needed.
• Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor of Social Work or related field and 2 years of professional experience in a related field. (FKC 2.01)
• Possess average to excellent computer skills in the area of Microsoft Word, Excel, company databases or other reporting software.
• Possess a confident, professional and personable manner when communicating with foster/adoptive families and other professionals
• Possess proficient written and oral communication skills; require little day to day management; and be very detail oriented.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Social Work: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25,000 - $45,000