Licensing Specialist

PURPOSE

This position is responsible for specified facets within the licensing program of Youth Guidance Foster Care.

This position includes responsibility for two broad functions in the Youth Guidance Foster Care program including:

1. Retention of licensed homes through continually offered trainings and processing annual and renewals and Advocacy of foster parents.

2. Primary responsibility for placement of NEW unplaced children.

3. Recruitment of New Foster Homes

4. Advocacy, Support, and Training for all Licensed Foster Homes and Relative/Kin Foster Homes.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a human service field, with a strong preference given to a Master’s Degree in social work or counseling or previous licensing experience.

2. Will complete certification and complaint training within 6 months of hire, as mandated by DCWL.

3. Has the ability and commitment to work flexible hours.

4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

5. Able to formulate working relationships with diverse populations.

Program Expectations

1. The employee is familiar with and abides by the guidelines presented in the Policy Manual.

2. Employee is supportive of the mission statement of CityLinC and its Statement of Faith.

3. Employee has a valid driver’s license, appropriate car insurance, and a safe driving record.

4. Employee has the ability to be available 7 days a week – 24 hrs. per day as indicated by caseload.

5. Facilitate and implement programs for foster families that will enhance their knowledge and skills necessary to achieve treatment goals, using the MiTeam model

6. Employment by YGFC is Primary. (Secondary employment must have the approval of Program Director)

Administrative Expectations:

1. Supervision: minimum of 1 hr. per week.

2. Staff meetings: 6 hrs. per month.

3. Training: as mandated by Child Welfare Law, supervisor and personal interest, a minimum of 32 hours per year.

Documentation Expectations:

1. Maintain records according to approved format and time lines (contact notes, progress notes,

DHHS and YGFC forms). See contract and Policies

2.Prepare and submit state-mandated reports according to DHHS deadlines.

SKILLS

1. A working knowledge of the philosophy of foster care in relation to treatment modalities, as they relate to the placement situation.

2. The ability to understand a problem in context to the individual and the total foster care system.

3. The ability to recruit the appropriate foster homes according to the needs of YGFC&A.

4. The ability to provide education, and training foster parents.

5. The ability to interact with other professional staff in the consideration of child placement.

6. The ability to work as part of the treatment team, to acknowledge that consumer needs take precedence over administrative duties, and to be an advocate for foster parents.

7. The ability to work with a supervisor, foster parents, other professionals, or autonomously in the best interest of the foster child.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities for this position fall into two primary areas.

A. Retention, Training and Advocacy of Foster Parents.

1. Investigate all complaints regarding Youth Guidance Foster Care foster homes as mandated by the State of Michigan, Office of Children and Adult Licensing.

2. Secure necessary documentation from licensing agencies of borrowed homes; act as a liaison between Youth Guidance Foster Care and the borrowed home.

3. Prepare and assure that on-going training will be provided to the foster parents. The topics selected will be based on the educational goals of the program and the on-going assessment of needs with the foster parents in general.

4. When there is a special training need for an individual foster parent, this will be assessed and specific training will be provided. The training will be consistent with the learning style of the foster parent. Compliance with the training will be provided by reinforcement and reminders related to the training.

5. Annuals and renewals will be completed as required and in a timely manner for licensed and unlicensed homes.

6. Be an advocate for the foster families to assure them of a support person. Aid them in dealing with problems that may occur in child placement.

7. Have phone contact within 48 hours and a home visit with the foster parents within one week after placement of any child in their home.

8. Have a least monthly contact with each foster parent by PHONE if there is not a person-to-person contact.

9. Have a home visit with each foster parent every 3 months. The nature of this contact will include advocacy and counseling as it relates to their role in the foster care program. The worker will provide support, education, referral, and assessment of the current individual and functioning of the home. On-going education needs will be evaluated.

B. Foster Care Placement

1. Be available for consultation with staff regarding placement, including availability of the foster home and the most appropriate placement of the child.

2. Arrange for placement of children supervised by Youth Guidance Foster Care to be placed in “borrowed” homes of other licensed foster care agencies.

3. Facilitate or assist with placement in new foster home.

C. Collaborate with the Foster Care Department, in completing the Relative placement assessments.