Foster Care and Adoption Supervisor

Buckner International•Lubbock, TX

About The Position

As the Foster Care and Adoption Supervisor, you will Shine Hope by being responsible for the recruitment, coordination and provision of services to foster children, foster families, and foster adoptive families. You will provide foster parent training and monitor homes for compliance to state minimum standards. You will also promote foster care and adoptive services in the community and supervise home development and recruitment activities to ensure compliance with state regulatory and contract guidelines. Supervise caseworkers and ensure compliance with all contracts and regulatory standards.

Requirements

Requires basic understanding of a comprehensive field of knowledge normally associated with the attainment of a Master’s Degree in a related field.
A bachelor’s degree is required in a human service field.
Involves the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions dealing with abstract variables.
Knowledge and experience must meet at least one of the following options for qualifying as child placement management staff based on the Texas Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies:
Master’s Degree specializing in the human services field, nine credit hours in graduate level courses that focus on family and individual function, with at least 2 years of documented child placement experience working in a Child Placing Agency; or
Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university, nine credit hours in graduate level courses that focus on family and individual function and interaction, with 3 years of documented experience in a child placing agency; or
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in social work or other human services field, nine credit hours in undergraduate level courses that focus on family and individual function and interaction, with 4 years of documented experience in a child placing agency; or
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with 5 years of documented experience in a child placement agency.
Requires excellent skills in both verbal and written communication.
Requires ability to work nights and weekends as required.
Requires ability to work effectively with culturally diverse youth and families.
Requires proficient ability to speak, read and write English.
Requires knowledge and understanding of the legalities involved with medical/clinical intervention.
Requires excellent counseling and problem-solving skills.
Requires excellent public speaking skills and the ability to successfully communicate in a professional manner with a multi-ethnic population base in the community; ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
Requires ability to observe and make accurate assessments of situations and individuals and determine appropriate action required.
Requires proficient working knowledge and understanding of the applicable regulatory standards and requirements governing programs and services.
Requires ability to relate positively, influentially, and sensitively to a broad spectrum of persons in a variety of multi-tiered relationships and settings; requires ability to work effectively with individuals in a multi-ethnic population.
Requires ability to provide strategic and logistical planning and facilitate meetings, conferences, and workshops, as required.
Requires ability to effectively manage personnel; requires administrative skills to include but not limited to staff selection, development, motivation, scheduling, and evaluation.
Requires ability to recognize differences in sounds, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; and ability to differentiate tones and volume in conversations.
Requires ability to prioritize tasks and respond in crisis/pressure situations; requires flexibility to meet changing business needs.
Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with an appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Requires the ability to rent vehicles both domestically and internationally using required documentation. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
Requires ability to maintain confidentiality.
Requires proficient ability to exhibit detail-oriented skills necessary to understand and manage a wide range of information.
Requires proficient working knowledge of budgetary management and development of policies and procedures.
Requires the ability to provide strategic and logistical planning and facilitate meetings, conferences, workshops, and retreats as required.
Proficient working knowledge and ability to accurately and timely operate and perform computer-related tasks with specific equipment and software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Supports the sourcing, hiring, supervising, monitoring, evaluating, and providing direction to direct reports.
Provide professional growth and development; support the development and communication of annual goals and objectives; monitor and provide constructive feedback; conduct annual performance evaluations.
Support in addressing Timely and accurately the personnel issues, including commendations and disciplinary actions, using appropriate professional documentation.
Assist with preparing the budget for the assigned foster care programs and provide continuous monitoring of the budget and other program resources to ensure they are used efficiently and appropriately.
Assist in the preparation of developmental plans or corrective action involving caseworkers who are out of compliance with minimum standards, as well as Buckner policies and procedures.
Responsible for the ongoing supervision of foster homes. Ensure compliance with state minimum standards through evaluation during quarterly home visits.
Prepare developmental plans or corrective action involving foster families that are out of compliance with state standards, T3 expectations, and Buckner policy and procedures. Document corrective action and progress toward goals in the family’s file.
Maintain all client documentation in accordance with established minimum standards, T3C requirements, and Buckner policies and procedures. Audit client files on a regular basis to ensure that all requirements are met.
Complete thorough documentation in a timely manner for home files in order to meet minimum standards and T3C requirements. Maintain all foster home documentation in accordance with established guidelines. Audit home files on a regular basis to ensure that all requirements are met.
Review and approve all child placement activities, investigation findings, and corrective and adverse action plans involving clients.
Review and approve admission forms, initial and subsequent placement documents, investigation reports, initial plans of service, updated plans of service, discharge or transfer plans and summaries, any restrictions imposed on a child, and documentation regarding contacts with the client.
Review and approve service plans to ensure the goals and services align with the child’s custom strengths, needs and permanency plan. Provide written confirmation that the child, youth or young adult continues to meet criteria for and benefiting from the evidence informed treatment model offered through the program.
Participate in child placement decisions for children being placed in foster homes.
Coordinate and implement the recruitment of foster parents and the development of homes for the Foster Care program.
Participate in recruiting foster homes by making presentations to the general public when scheduled.
Supervise and provide pre-service and ongoing training of foster families.
Provide crisis intervention.
Coordinate foster parent support group.
Perform and/or recredentialing studies for licensed foster homes.
Coordinate foster parent training events.
Complete and /or approve home studies for potential foster parents as a part of the licensing process.
Participate in in-service training, including SAMA, CPR/First Aid, Medications and any other clinical related training.
Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the foster children during the time they are placed in a Buckner foster home, as outlined in each client’s plan of service.
Provide ongoing case management for clients in Buckner foster homes.
Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and foster parents during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as required by state licensing, T3C standards and Buckner policy and procedures.
Complete case documentation, treatment plans and discharge plans in a timely manner in accordance with licensing requirements, T3C standards and Buckner policies and procedures.
Communicate with DFPS, SSCC’s and other placement agencies by telephone; meet with placement agency caseworkers to discuss client needs; attend court hearings and permanency conferences for children.
Report suspected child abuse/neglect to supervisor, DFPS, and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
Conduct investigations relative to complaints about licensed foster/adoptive homes in accordance with DFPS; identify issues and assist families in developing corrective action plans; and make recommendations when appropriate.