PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Foster Care Specialist provides support, education, and direction to foster parents in their work with special needs children ages birth to age 19. You will work closely with foster families, social workers, and other professionals to develop, implement and monitor a comprehensive plan of care for the child that directs therapeutic intervention. You will also assess potential foster families, providing training and support, and monitoring placements to ensure they meet the required standards.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct, coordinate and facilitate treatment and services for the foster family, the children in care and the biological family.
• Develop and implement a treatment plan consistent with permanency plan for the child and focus on case plan goals.
• Provide training and on-going support to foster families, including guidance on child development, behavior management, and accessing community resources. Offer counseling and crisis intervention as needed.
• Complete necessary formal written documentation within established guidelines.
• Prepare less formal documentation including: home visit notations, case notes, contact log and Quality Improvement worksheet, etc.
• Conduct quarterly care plan conferences to review treatment plan and progress toward treatment goals.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services required, Masters' preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience in the provision of services to children and families
• Good verbal and written communication skills, basic counseling skills, as evidenced by course work or experience.
• Must successfully complete CPR training.
• Knowledge of child development, normal and abnormal psychology, human behavior and motivation, as well as an understanding of community resources and how to access them.
• Valid driver’s license, own vehicle and automobile insurance that meets Agency policy.
• Have no more than 3 points against his/her Nebraska driver’s license or meet comparable standard in the state where he/she is licensed to drive.
• Ability to interact with clients and children with sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics in the service population.
• Specialized knowledge, skills and experience required to help the parents improve parenting capacities, maintain ties with their children, and develop and implement a stable, permanent plan for their future.
• Ability to involve parents in decision making, determine the needs of children and their families and assess placement resources for children in need of placement.
• Ability to involve children’s parents in day-to-day decisions.
• Ability to understand the issues of separation and loss for children in care.
• Committed to a child’s right to belong to a family, preserving whenever possible, a child’s connection to the family of origin and reuniting a child with his/her family whenever possible.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Flexible hours and some evening work required. 
• Able to drive during the day and evening hours.
• Ability to physically access foster homes in various weather conditions.
• Position can be emotionally stressful because of working with troubled children and their families and all of the systems that this entails. 
• Position can at times be physically hazardous due to emotional state of children and biological parents; this can result sometimes in a stressful working environment.
• Corrected hearing and vision within normal range.

Children’s Square U.S.A. is a private, not-for profit organization. Founded in 1882, Children’s Square U.S.A. has a rich history of caring for children from birth to 23 and their families, instilling hope and helping to restore lives.

Our mission: Building a bright future for children and families.

Our vision: To be a center of excellence empowering over 2,000 children daily to have a bright future through social and emotional wellness by December 31, 2031
Our employees are the heart of who we are. If you have an interest in truly making a difference in the life of a child, Children’s Square U.S.A. may just be what you are looking for. Our mission-focused programming impacts the lives of over 1000 children and their families each and every day. Be a part of team that cares and comes to work each day with the desire to build a better tomorrow for a child.
Children’s Square U.S.A. is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!
Children’s Square U.S.A. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Cancer and Intensive Care Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• New Child Leave
• Unpaid Leave
• Family and Medical Leave
• Retirement Program
• Tax Sheltered Annuity
• Nursing Services on Campus
• Employee Assistance Program