Foster Parent - Live-In

HEALTH CONNECT AMERICA, INC • Clearwater, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Before you get started on your journey with Health Connect America, take some time to learn more about us. At Health Connect America, all services are guided by a unified, trauma-informed approach. Across every program, we are committed to providing compassionate, client-centered care that fosters healing and growth. Our services are delivered by clinically trained staff, grounded in a therapeutic mindset and informed by research and evidence-based practices at every level of care. Health Connect America and its affiliate brands are leaders in providing mental and behavioral health services to children, families, and adults across the nation. We provide our services directly to those in need whether that be within a person's home, their community, or in one of our office settings. Health Connect America is honored to be a part of the communities we serve and the clients we walk alongside as they embark on a journey to self-improvement and more fulfilling lives. At Health Connect America, we are dedicated to making meaningful connections every day through creating quality, affordable opportunities for individuals and families to achieve their greatest potential in a safe, positive living environment.
Come make a difference and grow with us!
The Professional Live-In Foster Parent is responsible for ensuring the physical, emotional, educational, social, spiritual, and cultural needs of each individual client are met while maintaining appropriate safety and supervision at all times. This is a live-in, full-time role that requires 24-hour availability and direct participation in the client’s daily care, education, and legal proceedings. The Professional Live-In Foster Parent plays a critical role in supporting the holistic development of youth in care and is an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) and at least two years experience working with children and families.
• Previous child care experience, valid Florida Driver’s license with acceptable driving record, comply with all state, federal, county and city regulations, positive background check, negative drug screen. Must also be able to be licensed as a foster parent by Florida Department of Children & Families.

Responsibilities

• Promote the Mission and Core Values of Health Connect America in all interactions and responsibilities.
• Provide 24-hour availability and maintain full-time, on-site residency to ensure continuous supervision and support for all clients in the home.
• Exercise independent decision-making authority regarding client placement, discharge, household safety, and service planning to ensure alignment with organizational standards and the best interests of youth in care.
• Attend and make informed decisions based on youth court hearings, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, multidisciplinary staffings, and other case-related appointments or meetings impacting the youth’s care.
• Ensure the physical, emotional, educational, social, spiritual, and cultural needs of each client are consistently met through a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach.
• Actively participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing individualized service plans for each child.
• Communicate regularly with the treatment team to provide updates on the child’s status, progress, and needs.
• Support and facilitate the child’s and family’s participation in recommended mental health services.
• Attend all scheduled medical and dental appointments, follow through with provider recommendations, and administer medications as prescribed and in accordance with policy.
• Complete required medication documentation, including the MARS (Medication Administration Record System), to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure regular school attendance, monitor academic performance, assist with homework and projects, and attend all school meetings and activities as designated by the team.
• Advocate for each child’s academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs within the school and broader community.
• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and upkeep of the home, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment at all times.
• Assist with monitoring and supporting household budgetary compliance.
• Monitor the home security system to ensure safety.
• Distribute and document youth monthly allowances, including completion of required allowance invoices, in accordance with program guidelines.
• Serve as a positive role model for children and their families by modeling appropriate behavior, communication, and maintaining professional staff/client boundaries at all times.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners, service providers, and government agencies.
• Respond to crises in a calm, supportive, and effective manner to promote client safety and emotional well-being.
• Ensure appropriate coverage, continuity of care, and program stability.
• Interact with clients, families, colleagues, and other individuals in a caring, respectful, and professional manner.
• Attend required in-service training, staff meetings, and professional development activities.
• Prepare and maintain thorough, accurate, and timely documentation and reports as required by agency policies and applicable regulations, including Incident Reports when needed.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of all procedures relevant to the care and treatment of clients.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal requirements, including mandatory reporting of suspected abuse or neglect.
• Report any concerns or incidents that may impact client welfare or program operations to the Program Director promptly.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in all interactions and decisions.
• Foster a culture that promotes and mandates active involvement and execution of Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) and the strategic planning process across all organizational levels.
• Exhibit sensitivity to the unique cultural and socioeconomic attributes of both service recipients and staff when offering guidance, administrative support, and treatment services.
• Independently utilize personal transportation for the purpose of attending meetings, and for providing in-home/community-based service delivery or approved transportation of clients, if applicable to essential job duties.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, current vehicle insurance, and ensure personal vehicle remains in a safe operating condition, if applicable to essential job duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support operations and mission of the Company.

Benefits

• We offer flexibility in scheduling and provide all employees access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes 8 mental health counseling sessions annually.
• Full-time HCA employees enjoy paid time off, paid holidays, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and other voluntary insurance products.
• Access to a Health Navigator
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Benefits Hub
• Tickets at Work

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED