Licensing and Family Engagement Liaison

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF SUNCOAST LLC•Largo, FL

26d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensing & Family Engagement Liaison represents the Licensing Department during multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) 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 position 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, preparing participants with meeting expectations, goals, and communication guidelines; guiding respectful, productive, child-focused conversations; and documenting outcomes and follow-up needs. The role also supports shared parenting, reunification, permanency, and positive family relationships, and helps reduce barriers between caregivers and birth families. The liaison builds relationships with foster parents, birth parents, agency staff, and community partners; serves as a resource on family engagement and caregiver partnerships; participates in related training and professional development; and assists with projects that promote caregiver engagement and family-centered practice. The position is based in Largo, Florida, and may require travel to the New Port Richey office.

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, research and analyze information, solve problems, and address 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, presentations, reports, correspondence, 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.
Knowledge of trauma impacts; child welfare 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; 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, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to support foster parent retention, placement stability, and positive permanency outcomes through caregiver engagement and partnership.
Ability to communicate difficult information with empathy and professionalism and maintain composure in emotionally charged situations.
Strong meeting coordination, follow-up, documentation, recordkeeping, organizational, and time-management skills.
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 (Live Scan), local county background check, substance abuse screen, Motor Vehicles Records check, and E-Verify check; pass a positive reference check; and be insurable under the company’s automobile policy.
Provide copies of all degrees before the first day of employment and a copy of automobile insurance; maintain at least $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability insurance 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.

Responsibilities

Attend MDTs, placement staffings, permanency staffings, and other case-related meetings as the Licensing Department representative.
Provide information about caregiver strengths, household dynamics, and available supports, and share caregiver perspectives and concerns.
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.
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, including preparation, expectation-setting, and guidance for respectful, child-focused conversations.
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.