Family Development Specialist- PRN

Archdiocese of St. Louis•University City, MO

About The Position

Good Shepherd Children & Family Services provides the highest quality foster care and treatment foster care, adoption, expectant parent counseling, maternity shelter, pregnancy services and advocacy. In response to the call of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, to help those in need, we connect children with families and keep families connected. Job SummaryThe Family Development Specialist provides assessment and support of new and existing resource families with a primary focus on creating safe, nurturing and stable families for children in the foster care system. This position demonstrates a commitment to connecting children to families and keeping families connected and provides all services in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Requirements

A High School Diploma or GED is required.
Develop rapport and work effectively with families of diverse backgrounds.
Maintain professional relationships and communicate effectively with CD staff, court representatives, resource families and service providers.
Ability to confront issues with clients in a professional manner.
Demonstrate an ability to support and advocate for families throughout the entire licensing process.
Ability to work in partnership with other team members, agency staff and clients.

Responsibilities

Interview and evaluate potential foster, adoptive or respite parent applicants during an initial home visit.
Enroll families in pre-service or in-services training classes according to their needs.
Complete home assessments on all applicants who complete the MO CARES training and provide recommendations as to applicants’ ability to meet licensing standards and meet the following competencies:
Understanding Trauma and Trauma Informed Parenting
Supporting Families and Maintaining Children’s Connections
Understanding the Child Welfare System; and the Social, Emotional, and Physical Impact on Children and Families
Understanding the Importance of Cultural Identity in Foster Care and Adoption
Understanding the Impact of Mental Health and Substance Abuse on Children
Complete SAFE foster home studies, unless otherwise indicated, at the request of the agency if mutually agreeable.
Complete relative home studies within 90 days from date of assignment and foster home studies within 120 days from date of assignment.
Complete a minimum of 3 home visits for all home studies with at least one in-person visit.
Provide all necessary information for the agency to send out all necessary references (personal, adult children, educational, and employer).
Complete all necessary background checks including fingerprinting, FCSR, CA/N, case net, sex offender registry, and driving record unless supervisor agrees to run checks upon special request.
Maintain a complete record of all documents, case narrative, and communication for the family.
Counsel out families that are unable to meet licensing standards or meet the competencies prior to full licensure after all attempts to rectify the situation have been exhausted.
Provide coaching and corrective action plans with families to address any identified needs or deficits.
Provide support to resource families throughout the licensure process in coordination with case managers.
Act as a liaison for foster and adoptive parents with the placing agency.
Provide placement stability services as needed to resource families.
Maintain case records according to agency, Children Division, licensing and COA standards which includes documentation of all client related activities on the child or family as required by CD and COA.
Ensure timely data entry in the agency’s foster parent portal (BINTI).
Utilize a personal cell phone for work purposes.
Submit to a minimum of once a month supervision with the assigned supervisor.
Submit time sheets and mileage reimbursement requests to supervisor for approval in a timely manner. Worker must use Coupa for mileage reimbursement.
Comply with all confidentiality and security standards imposed by HIPAA, COA, and other external bodies as well as those specified in internal organizational policies.
Respond to all emails and voice messages promptly and courteously
The majority of this job is performed in the community and staff must be 21years of age, possess a valid driver’s license, reliable access to an automobile and valid automobile insurance is required.