Home Study Specialist

Company Description

Faith Bridge Foster Care is Georgia’s largest Christ-centered Child Placing Agency, partnering with local churches to recruit, train, and support foster and adoptive families. The organization licenses families to provide community-based, short- and long-term care for children in foster care across Georgia. Guided by a vision that every foster child experiences hope, healing, and unconditional love, Faith Bridge works to mobilize and equip churches to address the foster care needs in their communities.

Faith Bridge pioneered the Community of Care® model, surrounding each foster family with trained volunteers, professionals, and a dedicated Foster Family Consultant for ongoing support. This church-based care model is recognized nationally as a standard for supporting foster families so they do not navigate foster care alone.

The Home Study Specialist is a full-time, hybrid role (2 days in office) based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.

The home study specialist is responsible for completing foster and/or adoptive home studies for the purpose of recommending approval or re-approval for prospective or current foster, respite or adoptive families. The home study specialist assesses, evaluates, and helps to train potential and current foster and/or adoptive families. The person in this position may recommend additional counseling or training for the family as part of the home development process.

• Determines suitability of prospective and current foster care / adoptive home families. This includes preparation of comprehensive psycho-social home study, interviewing of foster / adoptive parent applicants to evaluate the family’s motivation, functioning and dynamics, and collecting and interpreting collateral information. Assessment is completed according to agency standards for foster or adoptive parent competencies.
• Assures compliance of foster / adoptive home providers with program policies and state licensing or certification requirements. Seeks clarification from their manager in areas of uncertainty.
• Provides an awareness of potentially serious problems which may arise in the foster / adoptive care homes and alerts management of such concerns, especially those which may have legal risk or safety ramifications.
• Consultation with agency staff regarding the selecting of a foster or adoptive home for a child a child and the transition of that child to the home.
• May also be responsible for recruiting and training or assisting in the training of foster and/or adoptive parents.
• This position is expected to use computers in the performance of writing and producing foster and adoptive home studies. Additionally, all home study paperwork is uploaded and managed in the agency case management online system. Ensures accuracy of all records, reports and documentation and maintains organized files. Completes documentation accurately, thoroughly, and timely in compliance with program standards and regulations.
• Abides by all agency policies and procedures, core values, and cultural covenant. Contributes toward a team-oriented culture and works well with others.
• Maintains confidentiality of client’s and agency information.
• Supports a goal that is in children and family’s best interest at all times and is an active advocate for children and families.
• Understands and supports family systems.
• Maintains sensitivity to issues of race, religion, culture, ethnicity and other issues of diversity.
• Maintains timely communication with others and is able to effectively meets deadlines.
• Treats clients, staff, foster parents and external contacts with respect and dignity.
• Displays a strong discernment and decision-making skills.
• Displays effective, clear, concise writing skills.
• Maintains a spiritual growth and a relationship with Christ through devotions.
• Completes all continuing education requirements and all required trainings.
• Participates in the onboarding of new staff as needed.
• Completes other duties as assigned.
• This position may require work on nights and weekends.

Personal vehicle, cell phone, copy machine, fax, computer

• Bachelor's…