Licensing and Family Engagement Liaison (70491)

Family Support Services•Largo, FL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensing and Family Engagement Liaison represents the Licensing Department at multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs), placement and permanency staffings, and other case-related discussions. The liaison provides information about caregiver perspectives, strengths, household dynamics, licensing considerations, and available supports to help teams make informed decisions that promote children’s safety, stability, and permanency. The role collaborates with Case Management, CPI, Kinship, Family Finding, service providers, and other stakeholders, and communicates relevant information and follow-up needs to Licensing leadership and staff. The position supports foster family engagement and retention through communication, resource connection, problem-solving, and relationship-building. It facilitates icebreaker meetings between foster parents and birth parents, preparing participants, guiding respectful and child-focused conversations, documenting outcomes, and encouraging collaboration and shared parenting. The liaison also serves as a resource on caregiver partnerships, participates in related training and professional development, and assists with initiatives that advance family-centered practice. The position is based in Largo and may require travel to the New Port Richey office. A valid driver’s license is required. Candidates must meet stated background, reference, substance-screening, driving-record, insurance, and work-authorization requirements. The employer is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
At least two years of professional experience in child welfare, foster care, case management, family support, or a related human services field, including direct experience working with foster families and caregivers; experience may include work as a licensed foster parent.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to represent oneself and the organization professionally and work independently with little direct supervision.
Ability to assess situations, make appropriate recommendations or decisions, analyze information, solve problems, and address critical, time-sensitive issues.
Ability to establish and maintain relationships, collaborate across organizational levels, and follow through on commitments and responsibilities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation, reports, presentations, and speaking before groups.
Ability to remain neutral while facilitating conversations and supporting collaborative problem-solving.
Ability to establish trust and rapport quickly with caregivers, parents, and professional partners.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
Strong facilitation, conflict management, mediation, and de-escalation skills, including composure in emotionally charged situations.
Strong meeting coordination, documentation, recordkeeping, active listening, follow-up, organizational, and time-management skills.
Strong engagement and relationship-building skills, including working with people who may be hesitant, frustrated, resistant, or experiencing conflict.
Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Word.
Flexibility, ability to prioritize, and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
Willingness to work evenings and some Saturdays.
Clear Level II Live Scan background screening, local county background check, substance abuse screen, positive reference check, E-Verify check, and Motor Vehicles Records check; must be insurable under the company’s automobile policy.
Provide copies of degrees before the first day of employment and a copy of automobile insurance; maintain minimum personal auto liability coverage of $100,000/$300,000 if deemed to be a driving risk.

Nice To Haves

Degree in human services, behavioral health, or a related field.
Foster care licensing experience.
Knowledge of Florida’s child welfare system and MDT processes.
Experience facilitating meetings and family-centered conversations.
Child Welfare Certification.
Experience with PowerPoint.
Knowledge of trauma’s impact on individuals, families, and communities; child welfare practice and foster care systems; family-centered and shared parenting practices; MDT processes; permanency planning, reunification, and family engagement; child welfare partners and their roles; conflict resolution and de-escalation; trauma-informed engagement; motivational interviewing and strengths-based approaches; foster parent and birth parent dynamics; cultural humility; and foster care licensing requirements, including Florida Administrative Code Chapter 65C-45.

Responsibilities

Attend MDTs, placement staffings, permanency staffings, and other case-related meetings as the Licensing Department representative.
Provide information about caregiver strengths, household dynamics, perspectives, concerns, and available supports.
Collaborate with Case Management, CPI, Kinship, Family Finding, service providers, and other stakeholders.
Communicate relevant information and action items to Licensing leadership and staff as appropriate.
Help identify support needs for foster families discussed during staffings.
Support foster family engagement and retention through ongoing communication, resource connection, problem-solving, and relationship-building.
Facilitate icebreaker meetings between foster parents and birth parents to support introductions, information-sharing about the child, positive communication, and collaboration focused on the child’s well-being and permanency.
Prepare meeting participants by reviewing expectations, goals, and communication guidelines.
Guide respectful, productive, child-focused conversations and encourage collaboration that supports reunification, permanency, and positive family relationships.
Document meeting outcomes and communicate follow-up needs to appropriate team members.
Support agency efforts to increase family engagement and shared parenting practices.
Build and maintain positive relationships with foster parents, birth parents, case management staff, CPIs, and community partners.
Serve as a resource regarding family engagement and caregiver partnerships.
Participate in training and professional development related to family engagement, conflict resolution, and child welfare best practices.
Assist with special projects and initiatives that promote caregiver engagement and family-centered practice.