Caregiver Support Specialist

PARTNERSHIP FOR STRONG FAMILIES INC•Gainesville, FL

7d•$25 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Caregiver Support Specialist is responsible for relicensing and supporting licensed foster homes. The role reports to the Caregiver Support Supervisor and supports foster care licensing, caregiver wellbeing, and child welfare program objectives. The specialist conducts licensing activities and monitors homes for compliance, serves as a primary contact for foster families, connects caregivers with support and training, and collaborates with agency staff and community stakeholders to promote placement stability and permanency. The position requires flexibility to work non-traditional hours when necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a closely related field.
Child Protection Professional (CPP) and Licensing Certification, or eligibility for CPP.
Valid State of Florida driver’s license to operate the motor vehicle operated; required at hire and as a condition of continued employment.
Must obtain Child Protection Professional and Licensing Certification within twelve months of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a closely related field.
Two years of relevant experience in child welfare, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct foster home studies, family assessments, interviews, and licensing activities, including initial licensure, renewals, modifications, corrective action plans, and closures, in accordance with DCF, PSF, and regulatory requirements.
Monitor licensed foster homes through quarterly home visits, monthly phone calls, inspections, and case reviews to ensure compliance with health, safety, licensing, and child welfare standards.
Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned foster families, providing ongoing support, guidance, advocacy, and timely responses to caregiver needs and concerns.
Build and maintain positive relationships with foster families to support retention, caregiver satisfaction, and placement stability.
Assess caregiver and family needs and identify and address barriers to successful placements and overall family functioning.
Provide crisis intervention, problem-solving assistance, emotional support, and referrals to appropriate services and community resources.
Connect caregivers with training opportunities, respite care, daycare services, financial assistance, benefits, and other eligible supports.
Educate and prepare foster parents regarding licensing requirements, agency policies, child welfare procedures, trauma-informed care, and foster parenting best practices.
Provide and facilitate pre-service training for prospective foster parents and support ongoing caregiver development through required and recommended training.
Collaborate with case management, placement, licensing, legal, educational, medical, therapeutic, court, and community stakeholders to support children and caregivers.
Support placement transitions, reunification, adoption, permanency planning, and placement stabilization efforts.
Participate in staffings, multidisciplinary team meetings, court hearings, case consultations, and other required meetings.
Participate in caregiver retention activities, including support groups, peer mentoring, recognition initiatives, and caregiver appreciation events.
Respond to and address safety concerns, complaints, allegations, incidents, and critical events involving foster homes, including follow-up and corrective actions when necessary.
Maintain accurate, timely, confidential, and thorough documentation, reports, case records, home studies, licensing recommendations, and correspondence.
Promote culturally responsive, family-centered, child-centered, and trauma-informed practices, demonstrating sensitivity to diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Maintain knowledge of child welfare laws, licensing regulations, agency policies, and community resources affecting foster families.
Demonstrate professionalism, preparation, collaboration, and respect for the perspectives and expertise of others.
Maintain flexibility in scheduling, including availability to work non-traditional hours when necessary to support caregivers and children.
Perform other related duties as assigned in support of foster care licensing, caregiver support, and child welfare program objectives.