Family Foster Specialist at GAP Ministries – 2028 W Weymouth St, Tucson, Arizona

POSITION: Foster Family Specialist.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT: Foster Care.

REPORTS TO: FAS and Visitation Program Director.

SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION: Yes.

STATUS: Full Time / Salary / Exempt from Overtime.

HOURS WORKED: Varies, includes nights and weekends.

PAY: $35,600 to $38,000 annually, dependent education and experience.

JOB SUMMARY: The Foster Family Specialist will be responsible for: 1) Completing foster and/or adoptive home studies for the purpose of recommending licensure or certification for prospective foster families; and 2) Maintaining licensed GAP/DCS foster care providers to ensure high quality care for the foster children in the homes. This position will be largely home-based with responsibilities carried out during home visits to prospective foster and/or adoptive homes; scheduling regular visits to foster homes; maintaining consistent telephone contact; and writing monthly and quarterly summary reports, renewals, and amendments. This position serves as an advocate for the foster child and foster family and will be expected to attend Foster Care Review Board meetings, court hearings, and staffing.

MISSION AND SERVICE:

• Exemplify and support the Vision, Mission Statements and Core Values of GAP Ministries.

• Demonstrate GAP Ministries' attributes of an effective culture champion which include servant leadership,

  communication, respect, accountability, integrity, teamwork and positive attitude.

• Comply with GAP Ministries' Code of Conduct and Ethics and HIPAA privacy and confidentiality requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may require working evenings and/or weekends:

• Assessing, evaluating, and writing home studies on potential foster families. May recommend a family for successful licensure, additional counseling or training, and/or recommend a denial of application, licensure, or certification of homes.

• May be responsible for training or assisting in the training of foster and/or adoptive parents in the education classes at GAP.

• Providing, post-placement supervision for foster/adoptive families, this includes attendance at Court hearings, as

  well as attending Foster Care Review Board, Child Family Team meetings and any other meeting the foster family requires while caring for a foster child in their home.

• Providing ongoing supervision and support for GAP licensed foster homes; successfully share and model TBRI

  strategies and techniques to redirect child behavior. Encourage calm yet playful demeanor when interacting with children in care. Build trust with children and foster families.

• Completing annual foster home license renewals and amendments required by change in circumstances with foster parents.

• Ensuring quality of care through accountability of foster families in creating and following through on annual family development plan.

• Responsible for regular home visits to provide support, consultation, education with discipline techniques, and the

  child's adjustment to the home. As well as, advocating for child's needs with DCS/GAP regarding safety, permanency, and to address any concerns of the foster family.

• Attend all staff meetings and training sessions or make arrangements with supervisor to review video of missed meeting or training.

• Represent GAP Ministries to the public in a positive, professional and responsible manner.

• Personally grow in leadership and spiritual life to exemplify the characteristics of a cultural champion.

• Follow agency chain of command in a responsible and supportive manner. Be able to accept constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

• Comply with GAP Ministries and state confidentiality policy. Follow all parts of state contract and Title 21 for the

  position and services provided.

• Follow outlined policies and procedures for dealing with duties, foster families and children in care when applicable.

• Receive and implement constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

• Provide input on reviews for self, manager(s) and peers, at least semi-annually

• Perform other appropriate tasks as assigned or requested by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum one year of experience in child welfare, preferably in licensing foster parents or certifying adoptive families.

• Spanish speaking a plus.

• Proficient in the use of a personal computer and corresponding programs; preferably experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail and Google Calendar or similar web-based and computer programs.

• Have personal attitude, conduct and standards representing those qualities and values reflected in the ministry that can be respected and emulated.

• Be able to respect and work cooperatively with a variety of persons, including coworkers, members of the board, and representatives of social service agencies, the public, volunteers and children.

• Have the ability to stay calm in tense situations and utilize common sense and logic.

  REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 21 years old.

• Successfully pass FBI fingerprint clearance check and procure a Fingerprint Clearance Card.

• Successful clearance of Criminal Background Check(s), Central Registry in Arizona and any state(s) lived in within 5 years of hire,

• Driving Record Check, Drug screen, and verification of legal ability to work in the United States. GAP Ministries is a drug-free workplace and requires drug screening of all new employees as well as random screenings to ensure enforcement of this policy.

• Three supportive personal reference checks of those listed on application as well as employment verification of the last 2 years of most recent employment.

• Successfully complete staff training courses in: Crisis Intervention (CPI), Behavior Management, Conflict Resolution, TBRI, and Administration of Medications. Attend on-going training sessions during employment to ensure to meet state annual training requirements.

• Utilize own or company vehicle for transporting children, foster parents, etc. (Mileage is reimbursed for personal vehicle use for company purposes.)

• Successfully complete First Aid and CPR and CPI training and keep certification current.

• Have manual dexterity; auditory and visual skills and be able to perform various physical tasks and job duties outlined in Job Description.

• Obtain medical release/permission to fulfill all physical tasks should any health issue develop or emerge.

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally drive a vehicle and transport children to/from multiple locations according to a schedule. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

  NOTE:

  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.