Family Specialist

Ponca City Development Authority • Ponca City, OK

2d • $40,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

It is the responsibility of the Family Specialist (FS) to engage in activities designed to recruit, assess, train, approve, support, re-assess, and retain foster families by working cooperatively with internal and external sources to provide a safe environment when a child in OKDHS custody is placed in a Marland’s Place foster home.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work; or in a behavioral science, social science, or a related field with one (1) year of experience in children or family services; or a bachelors degree in another field with at least nine college credit hours in family focus, individual function and interaction, child development, sociology, social work, and/or a closely related subject with two (2) years children’s or family services experience.
• Required compliance with ethical practices and continuing education requirements;
• A valid driver's license with a clean driving record;
• The ability to pass pre-employment screenings.
• Strong English language aptitude, including the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing (including the use of texting and email).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; including ability to maintain effective relationships with the Board of Directors, chamber members and staff; effectively collaborate with business leaders of the community, as well as with government representatives, civic leaders and members of the public.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages.
• Must have strong understanding of business accounting and statistical analysis understanding.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including demonstrated ability to anticipate and plan for the future and realign priorities quickly when dealing with unanticipated events.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Responsibilities

• Engages in activities designed to recruit foster families that reflect the diversity of the children in out-of-home care and who are willing to parent the child with special needs utilizing the demographics of children needing out-of-home placement in the area being serviced.
• Documents foster family inquiries.
• Discusses with each potential applicant the basic responsibilities and requirements expected of a foster parent, the types of special services children requiring out-of-home placement have, and the process required for approval as a foster parent.
• Assures a safe environment for the child by completing the initial consultation in the family’s home.
• Evaluates the prospective foster home to assess the location, condition, and ability to accommodate children in foster care through a home assessment.
• Evaluates each prospective foster parent and adult household member’s child welfare and criminal background history.
• Provides pre-service training for the foster parents.
• Assesses the family through the home study assessment and helps the family complete all the appropriate forms.
• When the assessment is approved, provides the foster family with a copy of the family assessment without the reference and verification sections.
• Engages in activities that value and support the foster parent’s role.
• Assists the family with navigating the Child Welfare (CW) system.
• Completes the yearly re-assessments by addressing concerns not previously addressed with the foster family.
• Documents training the foster parent completes, including the 12 hours of continuing education training required each calendar year.
• Provides the foster parent with materials to obtain the 12 hours of continuing education training required.
• Helps the foster family complete all required forms.
• Updates the family information.
• Completes monthly visitation with the foster family to provide ongoing support and address concerns or issues the foster family may have.
• Sees the child(ren) placed in foster care during the monthly visit with the foster family.
• Considers the child’s physical and emotional health and safety when identifying placements.
• Considers the foster family’s strengths and training when identifying potential children for placements.
• Collaborates with the foster family to place siblings together.
• Collaborates as a professional team member with OKDHS and the foster family to ensure the child’s safety, welfare, and permanency.
• Assists with gathering information regarding the child including, but not limited to, medical and educational information, behaviors, tribal affiliations, visitation plans, and important connections to help the foster family care for the child safely and appropriately.
• Treats the foster family with respect and professionalism.
• Assists the foster family with issues and concerns regarding the children placed in the home.
• Consults with his/her supervisor and/or director as needed in providing services to foster families and keeping children in OKDHS custody placed in Marland’s Place foster homes safe.
• Works with OKDHS and the foster family to address identified issues, concerns, or policy violations through a written plan of compliance to ensure the placement is safe and stable for children.
• Attends the 10-day staffing held during the foster home investigation when requested by OKDHS.
• Assesses the need for closure of a foster home with consultation from his/her supervisor.
• Completes all necessary documentation related to the home’s closure as outlined in Policy.
• Coordinates/provides up-to-date training for foster families including but not limited to program orientations; first aid/CPR trainings; and OKDHS required trainings.
• Performs all other duties/responsibilities as directed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or his/her direct supervisor.

Benefits

• 120 hours of PTO annually
• 15 paid holidays
• 50% medical coverage for employee and dependents with options available for vision and dental
• Simple IRA with 3% retirement matching after 1 year of employment
• Flexible work schedule allowing for work life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level