Licensing Specialist, Foster Homes

Position Details Join Our Mission:
Foster Home Licensing Specialist – Grand Rapids Metro Area

Salary: $43,888 annually Location: Grand Rapids, MI Metro Area

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families? We’re seeking a Foster Home Licensing Specialist (Social Worker) who will play a vital role in building safe, nurturing environments for children in need.

In this position, you will:

• Coordinate and lead recruitment, training, and licensing of foster homes.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual, regulatory, and accreditation standards.
• Investigate and support foster families to create positive outcomes for children.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to child welfare.
• Engage directly with the community to make a lasting impact.
• Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Training for this role will be provided by Samaritas.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field
• Experience: Child welfare experience strongly preferred.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings/weekends.
  • Valid Michigan driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance.

If you’re ready to use your skills to strengthen families and transform lives,
apply today and help us create brighter futures for children in our community!

Coordinates and participates in the recruitment, training, licensing, and investigation activities of foster care homes for children and families in the community assigned, in accordance with all applicable contractual and regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.

• Devise, implement and evaluate strategies and recruitment plan to assure adequate foster homes in accordance with program, organization and contractual requirements and standards.
• Develop and maintain current contact file with recruitment sources, prospective foster home data files and mailing lists.
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with religious/community groups and key individuals to increase their awareness of the need for foster parents, and organization services.
• In coordination with communications and planning department, develop and circulate promotional materials. Make regular press releases to public media sources and presentations when requested to promote foster care awareness and recruitment under the direction of the director.
• Plan and conduct regular orientation meetings and pre-service training with prospective foster parents.
• Complete original home study for all new foster parent applicants.
• Complete annual and renewal license assessments, and all licensing actions related to changes in foster home within prescribed time frames.
• Complete investigations of all complaints against foster families in a thorough and timely manner; provide written reports to appropriate parties and regulatory agencies.
• Provide on-going training and consultation for foster parents.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of recruitment strategies; maintain statistical data related to service delivery outcomes and measurements; provide reports and data as requested.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field.
• State of Michigan Licensed Social Worker preferred.

• Experience in child welfare preferred.

• May be required to work extended and weekend hours.
• Unrestricted Michigan driver’s license with good driving record. Reliable personal transportation suitable for safely transporting persons served; proof of current automobile insurance.