COMMUNITY HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES

DEPARTMENT: Adult, Child and Family ServicesDATE: 10/1/15

POSITION TITLE: Foster Home Developer

DEPT. DIRECTOR: Catherine Charette

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:(includes position purpose and objectives)

Develops new foster care providers. Develops and monitors support services for existing foster care providers. Evaluates the performance of contracted foster care providers consistent with the foster care program's standards of care. Participates in the foster care program development for ACFS.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Provided by Regional Manager or designee.

COLLABORATES WITH:

Multi-disciplinary team members, including professionals from outside agencies.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

(includes essential job functions)

  1. Recruits and screens professional foster care providers.
  2. Conducts detailed home studies to determine the appropriateness of foster care providers.
  3. Liaisons with placing workers and attends treatment team meetings as necessary when issues impacting placements are raised.
  4. Assists, when needed, in the process of licensing the home.
  5. Ensures that pre-service training is provided for foster care providers which provide the basis for proper understanding of the treatment objectives in the foster home and how those objectives fit into the larger system of treatment.
  6. Ensures that proper in-service training is provided which enhances the skills of the foster parents.
  7. Evaluates the performance of the contracted provider no less than annually. Provides opportunity for the providers to evaluate the Treatment Foster Care Program and incorporates obtained information into program planning.
  8. Provides consultation, as needed, to the providers regarding overall performance issues.
  9. Develops and monitors necessary systems to provide support services to foster parents. Convenes regular foster parent meetings and works with providers, as needed, in work committees to maintain a desired support system.
  10. Reviews and approves reimbursable expenses for foster parents.
  11. Follows all Agency policies and procedures. Demonstrates a professional attitude, sound judgment and continuity in interactions with both clients and community. Represents the Agency to the community in a professional manner. Completes accurate documentation as required by the Agency.
  12. Systematically evaluates the strengths and abilities of foster parents and their families and based upon that evaluation make recommendations regarding child placement as appropriate.
  13. Carries out duties as assigned based on established competencies.
  14. Ensures that the rights of clients and staff members are protected in accordance with Agency policy, State and Federal regulations.
  15. Communicates with representatives of the State licensing agency to ensure appropriate coordination of efforts to meet the needs of the client.

Position Title: Foster Home Developer

Page 2

  1. Coordinates with staff to match the needs of children in care with the abilities and interests of the contracted provider.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social science field or related fieldor a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and advanced training in one or more of the above disciplines. This position requires a minimum of one year of professional experience working with children and their families who have emotional or behavioral challenges. Past experience in or knowledge of the foster care system is required.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

  • Must hold or be able to earn certification in CPR and First Aid as required.
  • Must participate in Departmental professional development activities to earn the endorsement(s) required by state and regulatory agencies to provide direct service to clients.
  • Must possess a valid Maine driver’s license and a reliable means of transportation with a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 auto liability insurance.

Other Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to synthesize multiple viewpoints into a common purpose.
  • Ability to mediate myriad perspectives in sometimes emotionally-charged situations.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, as a team member and also independently with clients.
  • Ability to understand and appreciate the dynamics of working with children and families who are faced with emotional and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence accurately and timely.
  • Ability to ensure that team decisions are carried out.
  • Ability to take the initiative to enhance quality interactions with the client and community.
  • Ability to recruit, screen and train prospective foster parents according to established program standards.
  • Ability to coordinate the development and maintenance of support services for the foster care providers.
  • Ability to monitor and evaluate the quality of services provided in the foster care program.
  • Ability to work flexibly and independently. He/she must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Understand and appreciate the dynamics of working with foster children and foster families.
  • Ability to communicate with outside agencies regarding the licensing and maintaining of foster homes.
  • Ability to accept and utilize the supervisory process to develop professionally.
  • Proficient in keyboarding skills for data entry into electronic medical record.

Position Title: Foster Home Developer

Page 3

Physical and Environmental Conditions and Requirements:

The conditions and requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Workplace Environment: The employee may be frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and the need to work with little office privacy. Occasionally, the employee will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and loud noises. The employee will be continuously exposed to moderate noise and contact or work with others in office conditions that may be crowded. The employee may be required to work

awake or sleep overnights in a residential facility depending on job assignment. The employee will occasionally be required to work overtime, evenings, weekends, or unpredictable schedules. The employee must be able to work regular part-time or full-time hours as scheduled.

Physical Requirements: The employee will occasionally be required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, or crouch; crawl; pull and push; grasp objects; reach up to shoulder high or over the head; bend and twist at the waist; lift 10 - 25 pounds; sit and ride in a vehicle; transport self to areas away from the office in varying weather conditions with individual trips up to 1 hour; transport clients; and walk on uneven ground. Frequently, the employee will be required to sit; climb stairs or balance, and work inside. The employee must be prepared and able to apply physical force and agility as required to perform client physical restraints depending on the job assignment. The employee may be required to operate a computer for more than 4 hours per day. The employee will be continuously required to write/document outcomes of visits and meetings in a timely manner.

Communication Requirements: The employee will be required to frequently talk on the telephone and in person with individuals and groups, including small and large groups. The employee will be continuously required to hear, write, and read. Vision requirements include frequent need for close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Mental Requirements: The employee must be able to get along with others; meet deadlines and productivity standards, complete paperwork on time; respond to varying situations with tact and diplomacy and deal with stressful, hostile, or irrational persons, whether due to physical or mental disability, drugs, socio-economic differences, or other factors; react calmly and effectively in emergency situations; and remain flexible in changing circumstances and situations.

JOB PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

The employee must satisfactorily complete an initial six (6) month probationary period. At that time, the employee may be granted regular status or may be continued on an extended probationary basis up to but not exceeding an additional six (6) months. The initial probationary period occurs but once for each employee, during the first six months of employment. Subsequent job performance evaluations will occur on an annual basis, on or before the anniversary of the Employee’s original date of hire.

APPROVED BY:

______

Catherine Charette, Director ACFSDate