Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Actively recruit for Emergency After Hours foster homes within the borders of Erie County.
• Maintain an on call rotation of at least five open certified emergency foster homes at all times.
• Conduct initial assessment of prospective resource parents via phone or face to face inquiries.
• Disseminate and process resource parent applications and register applicant for Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting/Group Preparation and Selection (MAPP/GPS) group training program or Deciding Together individualized training.
• Coordinate and co-facilitate MAPP/GPS trainings a minimum of three times yearly. Coordination will include issuing invitation, reminder and agenda letters to applicants, assisting in the assignment of MAPP/GPS sections to participating trainers and preparing materials for upcoming trainings.
• As appropriate, utilize the Deciding Together curriculum to expedite foster home certification and/or to address unique needs of potential foster home candidates.
• Complete home study assessment for prospective resources within four months of their application and acceptance to the program. Complete home study addendum on an as needed basis.
• Coordinate and participate in staff panel to review home-studies, address questions and concerns and make decision to certify/approve resource parents.
• Schedule and conduct orientation meetings for new resource parents.
• Provide on-going support to address the unique needs of resource families identified for emergency foster home placement.
• Work in collaboration with the ECDSS in supporting resource parent’s capacity to meet the needs of the child/children in their home.
• Coordinate with ECDSS the planning for children placed in an emergency home, seeking to expedite the child(ren)’s placement to a more stable, long term placement option.
• Available to address emergent issues within the After Hours foster care system during non-traditional work hours.
• Maintain documentation on resource family trainings and ensure training requirements are met annually
• Coordinate in-house trainings based on resource family needs and disseminate information to families regarding community based and on-line training opportunities
• Maintain all resources on the CONNECTIONS database to include opening new resource homes, reauthorization of resource homes and closing of resource homes.
• Schedule and conduct annual re-authorization of resource homes.
• Assist in the scheduling and organizing of resource family events (resource appreciation dinner, summer event, holiday party) in collaboration with designated staff and/or committee.
• Ensure services are delivered in accordance with program and agency policy and procedures, local district requirements as well as New York State laws and regulations.
• Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment
• Show willingness to learn about and implement skills related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Participate and contribute to program Quality Improvement process.
• Maintain positive working relationships with resource parents, program staff and others within the agency.
• Maintain and submit all required documents and comply with all aspects of the Vehicle Safety and Usage Policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor Degree required in related field, MSW preferred
• Two (2) years experience in child welfare, preferred
• GPSII/MAPP trainer certified, preferred
• Demonstration of community connections and community-based social work
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Excellent interviewing and assessment skills
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as needed
• Significant on call responsibilities

CMS Mandate requires that all employees at Child & Family Services must be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by the date of hire.

Diversity Statement:

Within our agency and in the communities that we serve, C&FS is committed to diversity and inclusion with race equity at the center. Every day we work to promote safety, health, and wellness. We will not stop until Black, Indigenous and People of Color are free from racism and experience peace, prosperity and well-being.

Child & Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Child & Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child & Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)