Foster Parent Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator at Orangewood Foundation – Santa Ana, California

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Foster Parent Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator

Employment Classification: Full-Time, Hourly, Non-exempt

Reports to: Program Director

Department: Youth Connected Program

Program Summary:

Youth Connected Program is a foster family agency under the division of Orangewood Foundation dedicated to serving foster youth through an innovative model of care that includes resource homes and an onsite dorm component at Samueli Academy in Santa, Ana.

Position Summary: The Foster Parent Recruitment & Community Outreach Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing outreach strategies to recruit foster parents (Resource Families). This is a community-facing role focused on public presentations, tabling events, relationship-building, and generating qualified leads. This position does not provide case management services.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Develop and implement recruitment and outreach strategies to attract and engage prospective foster parents. Serves as the primary point of contact for prospective foster parents throughout the application and approval process. This position collaborates with other Orangewood Foundation departments and is responsible for meeting recruitment goals.

• In collaboration with the marketing department, manages the marketing efforts for the recruitment of viable foster parent applicants through an aggressive marketing plan that is tailored to our population served to retain a pool of approved and qualified families.
• Is responsible for the development and ongoing professional connections in the community to ensure the visibility of the agency with community partners and to maintain and expand referral and resource base
• Leads the recruitment pipeline from initial inquiry through orientation and application submission.
• Creates, leads and executes trauma-informed training for all families for initial and ongoing approval during weekend and evening hours as identified to meet the schedule of the Resource Homes
• Tracks recruitment data and reports on outreach outcomes.
• Facilitates orientation and pre-service training for prospective foster parents.
• Maintains all written communications for Resource Homes, including but not limited to the handbook, recruitment materials, and program documentation
• Ensure data on recruitment meets operational and performance benchmarks and data accuracy is in adherence for reporting
• Acquires, maintains, teaches and demonstrates knowledge of Child Abuse Prevention, Evidence-based practices, and Trauma-Informed frameworks. Maintains knowledge of RFA regulations to ensure recruitment efforts align with licensing standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of CA resource home approval process, recruitment practices, Title 22, Interim Licensing Standards, and trends in child welfare that affect foster care.
• Recruiting and retention strategies include a diverse set of initiatives from outreach, public speaking, and community networking. The Recruiter will utilize both interpersonal and technological skills to implement these strategies.
• Lead orientation sessions for prospective Resource Homes, both online and in person. Ability to teach/train preservice and ongoing training needed for the development of the Resource Home.
• Represent the agency at community events, resource fairs, faith-based events, and tabling opportunities.
• Conduct public presentations to community groups, schools, churches, and partner organizations.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations to generate and maintain a foster parent leads.
• Meet and exceed monthly/quarterly recruitment goals.
• Manage lead tracking and follow-up from initial inquiry to orientation attendance.
• Develop creative outreach strategies targeting diverse communities.

Knowledge, Skill and Experience Requirements:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• BA/BS in related field required. Experience in recruiting and supporting Resource Homes is strongly preferred both in Orange County and LA County.
• Bilingual Required
• Knowledge of California’s Resource Family Approval (RFA) process preferred.
• Demonstrated public speaking and training skills with strong interpersonal skills
• Understanding of the foster care system and the needs of youth in care or child welfare.
• Experience in the development of new programs and enhancement of existing ones.
• Makes sound and timely decisions under pressure. Recognizes what is most suitable in particular situations. Effectively makes decisions in non-standard situations. Exhibits independence, decisiveness and responsibility.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage and meet deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building and screening skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours in order to assist the program
• Must be highly motivated and able to take initiative
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent computer, typing, and Microsoft Office software skills and the ability to effectively use database systems to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to fluently read, write, and speak English and Spanish
• Travel throughout various counties as needed to implement various recruiting strategies and other forms of outreach and engagement.
• Pass a medical examination, including TB clearance
• Maintain certification in Nonviolence Crisis Intervention, First Aid/CPR and other program required trainings.
• Use personal vehicle for travel
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ/CACI fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
• Passionate about expanding safe, supportive foster homes for youth.
• Passion for and enjoys working directly with families.
• This position is ideal for someone who enjoys networking, public speaking, building community relationships, and achieving recruitment goals.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

• This role is a hybrid role with expected weekly in-person presence in the office and in the field. Remote work is secondary to in-person.
• Frequent travel throughout the community for outreach events, presentations, and meetings with prospective foster parents.
• Given the demand nature of this role, evening and weekend hours are expected, particularly during high seasons.
• Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting up to approximately 50 lbs. (i.e. tables, chairs, food, water, etc.).
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA
• Delta Dental
• Vision (EyeMed Network)
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance
• 403b with company match
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
• 13 Company Paid Holidays

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.