Home Study Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The home study contractor is responsible for completing foster and/or adoptive home studies for the purpose of recommending approval or re-approval for prospective or current foster, respite or adoptive families. The home study contractor assesses, evaluates and helps to train potential and current foster and/or adoptive families. The person in this position may recommend additional counseling or training for the family as part of the home development process.
Core Responsibilities and Expectations

• Determines suitability of prospective and current foster care / adoptive home families. This includes preparation of comprehensive psycho-social home study, interviewing of foster / adoptive parent applicants to evaluate the family’s motivation, functioning and dynamics, and collecting and interpreting collateral information. Assessment is completed according to agency standards for foster or adoptive parent competencies.
• Assures compliance of foster / adoptive home providers with program policies and state licensing or certification requirements. Seeks clarification from their manager in areas of uncertainty.
• Provides an awareness of potentially serious problems which may arise in the foster / adoptive care homes and alerts management of such concerns, especially those which may have legal risk or safety ramifications.
• Consultation with agency staff regarding the selecting of a foster or adoptive home for a child a child and the transition of that child to the home.
• May also be responsible for recruiting and training or assisting in the training of foster and/or adoptive parents.
• This position is expected to use computers in the performance of writing and producing foster and adoptive home studies. Additionally, all home study paperwork is uploaded and managed in the agency case management online system. Ensures accuracy of all records, reports and documentation and maintains organized files. Completes documentation accurately, thoroughly and timely in compliance with program standards and regulations.
• Abides by all agency policies and procedures, core values, and cultural covenant. Contributes toward a team oriented culture and works well with others.
• Maintains confidentiality of client’s and agency information.
• Supports a goal that has children and families best interest at all times and is an active advocate for children and families. Understands and supports family systems.
• Maintains sensitivity to issues of race, religion, culture, ethnicity and other issues of diversity.
• Maintains timely communication with others and is able to effectively meets deadlines.
• Treats clients, staff, foster parents and external contacts with respect and dignity.
• Displays a strong discernment and decision making skills.
• Displays effective, clear, concise writing skills.
• Maintains a spiritual growth and a relationship with Christ through devotions.
• Completes all continuing education requirements and all required trainings.
• Completes other duties as assigned.
• This position may require work on nights and weekends.

EQUIPMENT USED: Personal vehicle, personal phone, personal scanner, personal computer
COMPETENCIES:
Foster Care Job Knowledge
o Seen as an expert in their field and has a thorough grasp of all phases of the foster care system; always able to complete both normal and difficult tasks independently and regularly assist clients in understanding and completing any tasks they may find too difficult; generally thought of as exemplary and the person others go to for foster care advice; stays up to date on foster care data, research, services, and resources to meet the needs of clients as they emerge.
Motivates Others/Performance Coaching
o Able to gain support from both individuals and groups around change; able to craft solutions/ideas that are a win-win; uses data to address concerns raised, does not upset others when promoting ideas and assists others at improving their influencing skills appropriately; able to improve and develop the performance of others; provides clear suggestions and specific feedback in a positive manner.
Builds Relationships
o Easily builds relationships with individuals and groups; makes a consistent effort to encourage trust and cooperation and frequently takes a leading role in fostering a positive and productive team spirit; always has a positive outlook and pleasant manner; values diversity, accepts others; stimulates teamwork and a good attitude in others.
Planning & Organizing/Time Management
o Develops or uses systems to organize and keep track of information; sets priorities with an appropriate sense of what is most important and plans with an appropriate and realistic sense of the time demand involved; keeps track of activities completed (and yet to do) to accomplish stated objectives; keeps clear, detailed records of activities related to accomplishing stated objectives; knows status of one’s own work.
Collaboration & Teamwork
o Outstanding team player; collaborates easily and encourages others to work together to find solutions; often leads teams; sought out to help resolve conflicts, fostering integrity and trust; solicits feedback from group members and organizes information to make necessary adjustments; regularly communicates progress and celebrates team milestones.
Communication - Written & Verbal
o Displays a quick grasp of the significance of information communicated and nearly always initiates or responds to communications in an appropriate, time and comprehensive manger; displays skill in reducing complex information to simple forms/terms and helps others to understand that information; involves the right people in discussions when issues arise and provides solid summaries of discussions and seeks consensus to summarize points discussed.
Honesty & Integrity
o Does the right thing even when nobody is looking; stays true to his/her beliefs regardless of situational challenges; highly respected for consistently “walking the talk”; says what he/she means and means what he/she says; knows how important the Statement of Beliefs are to the organization and does an excellent job supporting them.
Initiative
o Goes beyond expectations in work assignments; thinks strategically and anticipates the needs of the organization; leads with initiative and ideas, gathers support from others to meet common goals; seeks out and accepts additional responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree an accredited college or university in the area of behavioral or social sciences, social work, guidance counseling, psychology childhood education, special education or related field. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in child welfare, preferably in licensing foster or adoptive families. Experience with GA+SCORE, IMPACT, and SAFE curriculum preferred, but not required. Must successfully complete SAFE Home Study and IMPACT FCP Leader training upon hire.
Skill Requirements: Strong interpersonal skills, maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients, staff, foster parents and families served. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to work within a team. Ability to handle job related matters in a professional, diplomatic and confidential manner. Knowledge of community resources and services. Ability to organize and execute responsibilities in an independent manner. Ability to use passive vocabulary of 5,000-6,000 words; to read at an above-average rate; define unfamiliar words in dictionaries for meaning, spelling, and pronunciation. Ability to write complex sentences, using proper punctuation, and using adjectives and adverbs. Ability to communicate in complex sentences; using normal word order with present and past tenses; using a good vocabulary. Knowledge of normal business computer skills. Competent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking ability which allows for effective oral communication of information. Ability to physically transport self and clients to various locations. Physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job.