Homefinder

Foster Care Homefinder

The Foster Care Homefinder is responsible for the recruitment, certification, recertification, training, and ongoing support of foster families. Serving as the primary licensing and certification specialist for assigned foster homes, the Homefinder ensures foster parent eligibility, regulatory compliance, and readiness to provide safe and appropriate care for children in foster care. This position conducts home studies, background clearances, home inspections, and compliance monitoring activities while providing education, guidance, and technical assistance to foster parents.

The Homefinder also assists with placement-finding activities by canvassing available foster home resources, assessing foster home capacities and strengths, and helping identify appropriate foster family placements for children referred for care. The Homefinder works collaboratively with agency staff, local departments of social services, and community partners to maintain a sufficient pool of qualified foster homes that meet the diverse needs of children and youth served by the agency.

Foster Parent Recruitment & Resource Development

Supports foster parent recruitment activities in accordance with CHJC's Foster Parent Recruitment Plan.

Participates in community outreach, recruitment events, informational sessions, and other activities designed to increase awareness of foster parenting opportunities and support foster parent recruitment efforts.

Serves as a resource to prospective foster parents by responding to inquiries, conducting initial consultations, and providing information regarding foster parenting requirements, training expectations, and the certification process.

Maintains correspondence and timely follow-up with prospective foster parent inquiries and applicants throughout the certification process.

Collaborates with agency recruitment staff to identify recruitment needs, promote foster parent retention, and support the development of qualified foster home resources.

Foster Home Certification & Licensing

Coordinates and facilitates required foster parent pre-certification training and ensures completion of all applicable training requirements for prospective foster parents and transfer applicants.

Facilitates all required foster parent certification, recertification, amendment, and closure activities in accordance with OCFS regulations and agency policy.

Conducts home consultations, home studies, recertification assessments, and related interviews, and prepares comprehensive written reports and recommendations regarding foster home approval.

Coordinates and monitors all required background clearances, fingerprinting, SCR checks, reference checks, and other required documentation related to foster home certification.

Monitors certification and recertification timelines to ensure all required clearances, medical statements, training requirements, licensing documents, and approvals remain current.

Assists foster parents in obtaining, completing, and submitting required certification and recertification documentation.

Foster Home Monitoring, Compliance, & Quality Assurance

Conducts initial, annual, and as-needed foster home visits and inspections to ensure compliance with OCFS regulations, agency standards, and health and safety requirements.

Evaluates foster homes for ongoing compliance with applicable licensing standards, including physical plant requirements, sleeping arrangements, capacity limitations, supervision requirements, emergency preparedness standards, and training requirements.

Provides written and verbal communication to foster families regarding certification status, regulatory changes, agency expectations, corrective actions, and training requirements.

Develops, implements, and monitors corrective action plans when foster homes are found to be out of compliance with regulatory or agency requirements.

Investigate, documents, and reports concerns related to foster home compliance, licensing standards, child safety, or foster parent practice, as appropriate.

Maintains current knowledge of foster home capacities, vacancies, strengths, preferences, and licensing limitations.

Foster Parent Support & Placement Coordination

Schedules, coordinates, and tracks ongoing in-service training requirements for certified foster parents.

Provides ongoing training, coaching, technical assistance, guidance, and support to foster parents to promote retention, regulatory compliance, and quality care.

Identifies foster parent support needs and recommends retention strategies, additional training opportunities, and resources to promote foster parent success and stability.

Assists with placement-finding activities by canvassing available foster home resources, assessing foster family strengths, capacities, preferences, and licensing limitations, and identifying appropriate homes for children referred for placement.

Collaborates with Foster Care Case Planners, Supervisors, Clinical Staff, DSS representatives, and other stakeholders to…