Foster Care Worker

Listening Ear Crisis Center is a private nonprofit, United Way human service agency based in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, serving mid and northern Michigan. Since 1969, we have grown from a 24-hour crisis service supporting 200 people to a multi-service organization assisting over 30,000 individuals annually. Licensed by the State of Michigan and accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Families and Children, we are committed to offering hope, support, and advocacy through quality services and safe, affordable housing.

Guided by our mission to improve lives, we focus on what people can do, empowering them to reach their full potential.

The Foster Care Worker is responsible for foster home recruitment, licensing and training of all foster parents; and will be assigned an active caseload. The Foster Care Worker will be aware of all aspects of the program that involve compliance with the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Licensing Rules and Regulations, Division of Child Welfare Licensing. The Foster Care Worker reports directly to the Director of Child and Family Services JOB RESPONSIBILITIESA.

Foster Home Recruitment
1. Develop community awareness, through Public Service Announcements and other uses of media, of the need for foster parents in our Youth Services Programs.
2. Assist interested applicants in following procedures necessary to become foster parents.
3. Develop and implement activities designed to attract quality individuals/couples to become foster parents for the Listening Ear agency.
4. Maintain all records related to foster home recruitment in a manner that complies with State of Michigan DCI Rules and Regulations.

B. Foster Home Licensing
1. Be knowledgeable in all aspects of Department of Consumer & Industry Services Licensing Rules and Regulations regarding procedures for licensing foster homes.
2. License foster homes according to the specific needs of our Youth Services Programs. All licensing activity must meet current licensing standards as outlined by the Michigan DCI.
3. Complete all paperwork and administrative duties related to licensing and maintenance of all Youth Services foster homes.
4. Maintain all Foster Home Records in keeping with rules and regulations set forth by the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services.

C. Foster Home Training
1. Assess the specific training needs for each foster home on an annual basis.
2. Locate training experiences available to foster parents and assist foster parents in receiving necessary training.
3. Provide all foster parents with orientation training regarding licensing issues, agency policies and procedures, and role definition.
4. Ensure that all foster parents are provided with at least the minimum number of hours of training per agency policy.

D. Direct Service
1. Maintain a caseload of foster care cases in our crisis and extended foster care program.
2. Provide the Probate Court and other agencies involved in our program with timely and complete reports as required.
3. Meet regularly with foster parents and children placed in their care to assure that all of their foster child’s physical and emotional needs are being met.
4. Maintain all individual foster care case files in a manner that is in compliance with DCI Licensing Rules and Regulations.

Qualifications

A. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or a related field
* from an accredited College or University

B. Good physical condition

C. Three character and work references

D. Must have the ability to pass all necessary training required by the State, any governmental agency, or the employer, and any and all tests must be successfully completed.

E. Ability to respond appropriately to the Cultural Differences present among the service population

F. Must demonstrate the ability to forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served, as well as their families, so they are helped to gain skills and confidence to address any issues and problems they face.

G. Must have a conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.

H. Must have the ability to work in partnership with other team members.

I. Must have the ability to set limits, maintain the role of the position, and to intervene appropriately to meet the needs of the persons served and/or other family members.
* Other Degree fields may qualify, provided at least 25 credits have been obtained in a Human Services Field.
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