Program Coordinator - Parent Resource Program

Virginia Department of Social Services•Fredericksburg, VA

About The Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. JOB SUMMARY Under general supervision, administers the Resource Parent program for the City of Fredericksburg. Provides intensive and specialized, culturally competent support to prospective and certified resource/foster and adoptive families. The Program Coordinator uses evidence-based curricula and techniques to train and assess individuals/families who are interested in providing resource home placements for youth in foster care. The Program Coordinator provides specialized training to existing resource homes and re-certifies them according to policy. The Program Coordinator works with the services team to place children in the most appropriate settings. The Program Coordinator is distinguished from the Program Coordinator Supervisor by the latter’s responsibility for supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues and evaluating the work of others.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or related area supplemented with work experience in the assigned program areas OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Considerable experience in assigned program area or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Must be able to pass a criminal background check to include a clean search of the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry (no current findings or cases associated to you).
A valid state driver’s license that meets the standards for the City of Fredericksburg.

Nice To Haves

Prefer candidate be trained in the prior Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) curriculum and have some knowledge of the newer National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) for Foster and Adoptive parents
Prefer candidate be a trained Family Partnership Meeting (FPM) Facilitator
Prefer Candidate be trained as a Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT) Rater
Prior experience working for a local DSS
Prior experience working in a training and/or instructor role
Knowledge of social work principles; including normal and abnormal behavior, child development, social challenges and family dynamics.
Knowledge of current literature in the field of social work.
Knowledge of interviewing and assessment skills and how to implement and utilize them effectively.
Knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing social services programs, foster care, adoption, and child and adult protective services, programs as administered through the State and City Social Services programs.
Knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with assigned social services programs.
Knowledge of interviewing and interpersonal relationship techniques.
Knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community and their effect on family interactions and problems.
Knowledge of other programs administered through the City Social Services Department and other community human services agencies or volunteer groups.
Ability to interpret policy and guidance related to foster care and adoption.
Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in the field.
Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
Ability to conduct interviews; to identify client needs; to consult with clients, families, schools and other agencies and organization; to develop and implement appropriate service plans; and to conduct investigations and detect child/adult abuse and/or neglect.
Ability to perform entry-level professional work including basic data analysis and synthesis, report creation, process performance, and regulatory or compliance activities.
Ability to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgement in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations.
Ability to establish and maintain a variety of complex files.
Ability to explain rules, regulations and policies of social services programs in terms understood by clients and the general public.
Ability to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data and/or information using established criteria.
Ability to exercise discretion in determining actual or probable consequences, and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Ability to operate varied office equipment such as copiers, scanners, computers and tablets.

Responsibilities

Delivers approved curriculum to resource parent, relative and fictive kin applicants.
Assesses applicant’s understanding of training materials, assesses their ability to participate in the resource parent program and their ability to provide a safe, nurturing home for a child in need.
Prepares written home studies utilizing information gathered during training, and through face-to-face interviews, collateral interviews, required background investigations and visits to the home.
Performs case management of resource homes including entering contacts into the OASIS statewide system, adding families to the “Resource Home” data base, and performing regular routine home reviews.
Works closely with the treatment team to identify a resource family for placement of child(ren).
Serves as an agency point- of-contact to resource families in identifying and resolving challenging decisions.
Provides crisis intervention on a timely basis to resource families who are caring for children placed in their home.
Recruits resource families by making presentations to community groups, schools and other professional groups based on the need for resource parents in the City of Fredericksburg.
Represents the agency by serving on community workgroups and regional professional groups.
Provides leadership amongst colleagues in areas of program expertise.
Organizes and implements special training and recognition events for agency approved resource parents.
Conducts home visits with approved resource families to assess and complete certification/re-certification.
Facilitates Family Partnership Meetings (FPM) and conducts Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT’s).
Serves as a policy expert in the area of resource home approval guidance.
Develops recruitment marketing materials.
Establishes and reports on key program outcomes to management on a regular basis.
Administers program budget including grant application and regular program financial updates.
Maintains a variety of confidential records and files.
Performs a variety of clerical and administrative functions in support of assigned duties, and caseload management.
Updates procedural manuals, as necessary; maintains knowledge of newly established policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Attends required trainings and is able to apply tools and information gained in trainings.
May be required to staff an emergency shelter when necessary.
Performs other related duties as assigned.