Foster Care Licensing Coordinator

National Youth Advocate Program•Chicago, IL

1d•$52,416•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Regional Manager or designee, this position works to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families served. This position is responsible for recruiting, licensing, and retaining quality foster homes, ensuring licensed homes meet or exceed community and organizational needs. NYAP's commitment to doing what is best for children, youth and their families is a core value and one that we look for in our newest team members.

Requirements

Degree in Social Work or comparable Human Services field from an accredited institution.
2 years of work experience working in direct service with youth and families strongly preferred.
A valid professional license as required by state law and/or regulatory bodies.
Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, automotive insurance, and a good driving record.
A willingness to work flexible and non-traditional hours in the service of foster caregivers, families of origin, and persons served.
Capacity to be flexible and responsive to youth served, foster caregivers, system partners, and internal customers.
Capacity to remain objective and professional in all areas of job function.
Demonstrates tolerance and respect for the ideas and actions of others.
Capacity to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
Must be comfortable with public speaking.
Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.
The person in this position needs to follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers.
Employees must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
Valid driver’s license
Reliable personal transportation
Good driving record
Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,00/$300,000 bodily injury liability required.

Nice To Haves

Excellent training and continuing education and development opportunities offered on topics such as: PCIT, NMT, TF-CBT, BFST, CSAYC, TBRI, FFT and many, many more!

Responsibilities

Perform all work in a manner consistent with the National Youth Advocate Program’s mission, values, and philosophies.
Completes all required training in a timely manner.
Develop and implement recruitment strategies that generate the quantity and quality of inquiries for viable licensed foster homes.
Support the development of potential foster parents in understanding the needs of the youth entering foster care, the expectation of mentoring primary families and the goal of reunification of youth with the primary family.
Work with current, former, and prospective foster parents to recruit new foster families.
Responsible for the knowledge and implementation of all rules, regulations, and policies related to foster care.
Complete face to face meetings with each potential family within the first two weeks to answer questions and assist in the licensing process.
Assist all potential foster families in providing all required information and completing required paperwork in a timely manner.
Meet with foster parents experiencing difficulty in the licensing process to remove barriers.
Develop a comprehensive home study for each potential family and submit for approval
Maintain and update all foster home records in appropriate systems.
Provide ongoing training and support to licensed foster homes.
Complete annual evaluations and recertification of all licensed foster homes.
Support foster parents including providing information, education, meetings, support groups, and one on one discussions.
Travels daily, to provide community based services to, and on behalf of, youth and families in compliance with organizational, contract, and regulatory requirements.
Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement activities on a monthly/quarterly basis.
Actively participates in the weekly supervision process.
Capacity to remain objective and professional in all areas of job function.
Demonstrates tolerance and respect for the ideas and actions of others.
Report incidents to state and supervisory agencies when appropriate.