Home Study, and Placement Specialist

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE NAT•Fairfax, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Home study and Placement Specialist will be responsible for home study assessments of prospective families for foster parent licensure as well as providing them with support throughout the licensure process. This specialist will support foster parents with completing and updating their initial and on-going home studies. In addition, this Specialist will support the URM team in identifying and placing foster care youth in appropriate foster homes.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in social work or a field related to social work including, but not limited to, sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling and one year of experience in providing casework services to children and families.
Or A baccalaureate degree in any field plus two years’ experience in providing casework services to children and families.
Culturally competent: experience with different cultures, religions, and nationalities.
Experience in writing cohesive and coherent court reports, treatment plans, contact notes, and monthly reports.
Knowledge or understanding of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program.
Knowledge of trauma-based practices and working with youth
Experience in family therapy and/or trauma informed therapy.
Will be required to pass background check in Virginia.
Must have reliable and accessible transportation.
Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
2 plus years of experience in child welfare
2 plus years of experience in the foster care system
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel)
Experienced in data collection systems.
Ability to manage time well.
Ability to work independently and in a group.

Nice To Haves

Trained in PRIDE training module preferred.
Bilingual preferred
Spanish speaking a plus.

Responsibilities

Complete SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home study assessments for prospective families within 50 mile radius of Fairfax office.
Manage a home study caseload.
Conduct monthly and quarterly home visits.
Respond to requests regarding the status of families.
Provide support to assigned families throughout the licensing and renewal process.
Manage a caseload of foster parents who need additional support.
Support with ensuring ongoing compliance with clearances, training, and licensing documents for all licensed families in the workers case load.
Complete and submit reports as required.
Attend staffing, hearings, and other meetings to address approval barriers, denials and/or closures.
Complete renewal activities for all foster families assigned to case load.
Maintain adequate tracking system.
Coordinate complete foster home licensure with the RTL Supervisor.
Assist with the maintenance of case records in accordance with quality assurance standard.
Coordinate youth placements received from contract provider, to include Global Refugee, ONA, and ORR.
Coordinate respite placements needed for current foster parents.
Conduct pre-placement meetings between foster youth and prospective foster parents.
Manage all tasks associated with pre-placement of any youth
Provide PRIDE pre-service training to all prospective foster parents
Provide ongoing in-service training to all foster parents
Provide training resources for foster parents
Provide URM training to prospective foster parents
Support with recruitment activities for prospective foster parents.
Conduct regular foster parent support groups.
Create and execute events geared towards supporting foster parents ie: Foster Parent Month, Harvest Festival, Winter Holiday Gathering.
Perform other duties, as assigned.