Foster Care Family Specialist

Position Summary

The Foster Care (FC) Family Specialist will provide family support and case management services to foster families and the foster children placed in their homes, and ensure all foster homes are compliant with DSS regulations. The FC Family Specialist caseload will include a minimum caseload of 12-15 children placed in foster care, foster families awaiting placement, and respite families.

In addition, the FCFS will participate in the licensing of new foster families as needed and assist the FCLS with the licensing process. The FC Family Specialist will act as a liaison between the Department of Social Services and other school/medical/community organizations and will advocate for the needs of foster families and children placed in foster care.

Extensive driving is required, and mileage is reimbursed at Thornwell’s established rate. The FC Family Specialist will ensure the provision of quality services to foster families and children using established Thornwell, Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI), Council of Accreditation (COA) standards, and state and federal guidelines.

The FC Family Specialist will assist with ongoing training to ensure foster family retention and high-quality care for children placed in Thornwell foster homes. Core Responsibilities Conduct monthly home visits for all foster children in the caseload to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. Visits include conducting announced and unannounced visits.

Provide ongoing support to foster families to ensure the needs of the foster child and the foster family are met. (e.g., identifying educational, medical, therapeutic resources for the foster child, communication with DSS, childcare, etc.) Coordinate the placement and discharge of the foster child (communication with DSS and the foster family, transfer of records, etc.)

Participate in child/case planning, appointments, Foster Care Review Board, and court hearings as needed. Match foster child referrals with foster families in your caseload. Review child intake referrals and match the child with an appropriate foster family. Participate in weekend/holiday on-call rotation to review incoming child referrals and match the child referrals with an open bed.

Ensure all foster homes are compliant with DSS licensing requirements and COA standards at all times. Conduct quarterly home visits with licensed foster families in your assigned caseload and as assigned. Work cooperatively with the Licensing Specialist to license and re-license foster families. Conduct orientation and safety walk-through of the foster home, and ensure all renewal documentation is submitted in a timely manner to the Licensing Specialist.

Provide thorough, accurate, and timely documentation of all visits, contacts, and communication with a foster child or foster family, or about a foster child or foster family in the EHR (Credible). Maintain foster child and foster family files with required documentation and case notes using electronic system and hard copy files as appropriate.

Develop and maintain professional communication with all DSS staff. Work cooperatively with the Foster Care Team in planning Family Fun Events, Regional Trainings/Support Meetings. Assist the Recruitment Coordinator with recruitment events and activities. Assist in establishing quarterly and annual goals and objectives for the Thornwell Foster Care Program.

Assist in providing monthly activity reports with data collection for grants and outcome measures. Actively participate in Foster Care Team Meetings and all Thornwell All Staff meetings and events. Assist with pre-service training and ongoing training for foster and respite families. Communicate regularly with the Foster Care Program Supervisor and the Foster Care Director to ensure that any concerns regarding foster families and children are addressed promptly.

Complete other duties as assigned. Working Conditions The Foster Care Family Specialist will work with families residing in the Upstate region. This position may be a hybrid position with an office based at the Thornwell Foster Care Office – Clinton, SC. The FC Family Specialist will work with foster family case files, participate in training and event/support meetings with the Foster Care Team.

The Foster Care Family Specialist will also work in the foster family’s home, DSS offices, and the Court/Foster Care Review Board. The FC Family Specialist will travel daily using their own car and will be reimbursed for mileage from the office at Thornwell’s defined standard rate, excluding commute mileage to their office.

The FC Family Specialist will utilize their Thornwell cell phone device. Limited overnight travel for special events and training is required. The FC Family Specialist will be required to use computers with the most frequent applications, to include Word Processing, Excel Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Video Conferencing, and Electronic Note-taking system.

The FC Family Specialist will work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the families and church/community organizations we serve. Most Special Events will be scheduled in the early evening hours and on Saturdays. This position will require the following physical activity level: sitting, standing, walking, driving, setting up/taking down meeting space/exhibit space materials (tables, chairs, presentation equipment, screens, and banners), and game playing at Family Fun Events and some public speaking & technical writing.

Qualifications

The FC Family Specialist must be committed to supporting foster families that are devoted to establishing a healthy home environment using Trust-Based Relational Interactions (TBRI). The FC Family Specialist will have a willingness to share their personal calling to work with foster families as appropriate. The FC Family Specialist must possess strong communication skills, be able to organize, prioritize, and implement work activities independently, have strong team-building skills, and desire to grow professionally.

The FC Family Specialist must have direct experience working within the community-based case management field, and direct foster care experience is preferred. The FC Family Specialist must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The FC Family Specialist must have a valid driver's license in the state where they reside.

Skills Experience working with youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and their families. Effective problem-solving and creative resolution skills. Possess strong organizational strategies to manage own workflow and prioritize. Strong capacity to build positive relationships with community stakeholders and market the Foster Care program to appropriate sources within the state.

Ability to participate effectively as part of the Foster Care team. Thornwell is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians and who possess a Christian commitment, as well as concern, for children and families in need.

Vision: Our vision is to see hopeful, healthy, and empowered children and families fulfilling their God-given potential. Mission: As a Christian ministry, our mission is to provide safe and nurturing environments where we educate, equip, and support children and families to thrive.