Foster Care Coordinator

FOSTER CARE COORDINATOR

Social Worker/Foster Care Coordinator

Washington County, located in West Bend, Wisconsin has an excellent opportunity for a full time Social Worker. Under the general supervision of the Family Services Supervisor has the primary responsibility of family finding, relative engagement, and strengthening family connections, in addition to recruiting, licensing, and monitoring level two foster homes under WI Chapter DCF 56, providing support and resources to county relative and non-relative placement providers, administering and monitoring the court-ordered and voluntary kinship programs under WI Chapter DCF 58 and monitoring subsidized guardianship payments.

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job; they are intended to be accurate reflections of those principal job elements.

• Conducts assessments of prospective relative and non-relative foster parents through interviews, home visits, collateral contacts and other investigations and performs agreed upon and necessary case management services.
• Prepares social histories and family assessments, to include in the licensing home study in accordance with the relative licensing standards and/or SAFE home study methodology; review results with supervisor, makes recommendations concerning foster care licensure and eligibility for court-ordered or voluntary kinship programs.
• Conducts family finding activities, including reviewing case records, utilizing search tools, and collaborating with internal and external partners to identify relatives and important connections for children.
• Engages relatives and kinship connections through outreach, interviews, and meetings to assess their interest, capacity, and ability to support children through placement or other connections.
• Facilitates family engagement efforts, including participation in Family Team Meetings and other case planning meetings, to promote permanency and strengthen family relationships.
• Supports placement with relatives and like-kin, including providing information about licensing, kinship care options, and resources.
• Collaborates with social workers and other professionals to ensure timely identification and involvement of family support throughout the life of a case.
• Maintains a caseload that could include licensed foster parents, court-ordered and voluntary kinship recipients and providers receiving subsidized guardianship payments.
• Works directly with social workers to match children to out-of-home care providers, including communicating with other counties or child placing agencies.
• Attends and participates in staff development programs, including in-service training, staff meetings, supervision and professional seminars.
• Coordinates recruitment efforts to increase the number of licensed providers including, but not limited to, social media outreach, and attending community events.
• Coordinates retention efforts for licensed and non-licensed providers, which can include hosting training courses, social events, and appreciation events.
• Prepares and presents detailed written reports for the case record.
• Maintains detailed case records and ensures all case work is completed as required.

Knowledge of WI Chapter DCF 56, Foster Home Care for Children, WI Chapter DCF 58 Kinship and Long-Term Kinship Care, and the SAFE home study methodology. Basic understanding of child development, childhood trauma, mental health and alcohol or drug addiction, knowledge of current social and economic problems and the way in which these issues affect families. Exceptional telephone, communication and computer skills are essential to this position.

Ability to multi-task completing several functions that coincide with one another. Ability to prioritize competing tasks in a rapid fashion. Ability to think critically and problem-solve in crisis situations and de-escalate conflictual situations. Work environment can be hostile, fast paced and at times highly volatile.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited…