Licensing and Family Engagement Liaison

Family Support Services•Largo, FL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensing and Family Engagement Liaison represents the Licensing Department in multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs), placement and permanency staffings, and other case-related discussions. The position shares caregiver perspectives, licensing considerations, household dynamics, strengths, concerns, and available supports to help teams make informed decisions that promote children’s safety, stability, and permanency. The liaison collaborates with Case Management, CPI, Kinship, Family Finding, service providers, and other stakeholders, and communicates relevant information and action items to Licensing leadership and staff. The role supports foster family engagement and retention through ongoing communication, resource connection, problem-solving, and relationship-building. It facilitates icebreaker meetings between foster parents and birth parents by preparing participants, explaining expectations and communication guidelines, guiding respectful and child-focused conversations, documenting outcomes, and communicating follow-up needs. The liaison promotes shared parenting, collaboration, reunification, permanency, and positive family relationships, while serving as a resource on family engagement and caregiver partnerships. The position also participates in related training and professional development, assists with projects promoting caregiver engagement and family-centered practice, and builds relationships with foster parents, birth parents, staff, and community partners. The position is based in Largo, Florida, and may require travel to the New Port Richey office. Evening work and some Saturdays may be required.

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 as a licensed foster parent may count.
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 time-sensitive issues.
Ability to establish and maintain relationships, collaborate with staff at all organizational levels, and follow through on commitments and responsibilities.
Strong written and verbal communication, including documentation and public speaking before small and large groups.
Ability to maintain neutrality while facilitating conversations and supporting collaborative problem-solving.
Ability to establish trust and rapport with caregivers, parents, and professional partners, and maintain confidential information.
Knowledge of trauma impacts, child welfare and foster care systems, family-centered and shared parenting practices, MDT processes, permanency planning, reunification, family engagement, system partners, conflict resolution, de-escalation, trauma-informed engagement, motivational interviewing, strengths-based approaches, caregiver and birth parent dynamics, and cultural humility.
Knowledge of foster care licensing requirements, rules, and regulations, including Florida Administrative Code Chapter 65C-45, and demonstrated experience working with foster families and caregivers.
Strong facilitation, conflict management, mediation, de-escalation, active listening, engagement, relationship-building, meeting coordination, follow-up, documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.
Ability to communicate difficult information with empathy and professionalism and remain composed in emotionally charged situations.
Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Word.
Flexibility and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
Willingness to work evenings and some Saturdays.
Clear a Level II background screening, local county background check, substance abuse screen, motor vehicle records check, and E-Verify check; receive a positive reference check; provide degree copies before the first day; and be insurable under the company automobile policy.
Provide a copy of automobile insurance and, if deemed to be a driving risk, maintain minimum personal auto liability coverage of $100,000/$300,000.

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.

Responsibilities

Represent the Licensing Department at MDTs, placement staffings, permanency staffings, and other case-related meetings.
Share caregiver perspectives, strengths, concerns, household dynamics, licensing considerations, and available supports to inform team decisions.
Collaborate with Case Management, CPI, Kinship, Family Finding, service providers, and other stakeholders.
Communicate relevant meeting information and action items to Licensing leadership and staff as appropriate.
Identify support needs for foster families and support caregiver engagement and retention through communication, resource connection, problem-solving, and relationship-building.
Facilitate icebreaker meetings between foster parents and birth parents to support introductions, information sharing, 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, and 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.