Program Specialist - Foster Care

The Program Specialist works with the Assistant Director of Foster Care to develop and coordinate activities associated with multiple grant funded foster care programs. This work may include conducting program monitoring activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)/Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) residential services network; interpretation and dissemination of federal policies and procedures to sub-recipients and sub-grantees; assisting with planning and coordinating internal staff meetings and national convenings; coordinating the collection and analysis of data and information from sub-recipients and sub-grantees; developing funder required performance reports and assisting with funding proposals; coordinating the development and maintenance of information and data systems; and providing technical assistance on routine/general information requests. Contributes to the Bishops’ strategic plan for the Conference. Demonstrates willingness and ability to understand, respect and contribute to the USCCB mission and to fulfill job duties in accordance with its Catholic identity.

Continuing Responsibilities:

Monitoring and Program Oversight (40%)

•Supports coordination of Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM)/Unaccompanied Children (UC) Foster Care sub-recipient monitoring activities and may support desk and on-site monitoring activities

•Supports the development and revision of program monitoring tools and program guidance impacting the sub-recipient network

•Develops mechanisms for the dissemination of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)/Division of Unaccompanied Children’s Operations (DUCO) Policies and Procedures (P&P), program guidance, resources and tools to the URM/UC Foster Care network

•Supports the collection and tracking of program data and analysis of program activities including: placement stats; client and foster parent satisfaction; consultation and training needs; and other activities, as needed

•Collects quarterly program updates from residential care providers, and follows up to clarify or gather additional information for quarterly reporting to ORR.

•Produces written reports to include funder required quarterly, and annual performance reports, and other ad hoc reports to ensure compliance and accountability to funders per cooperative agreement requirements

Information and Data Systems Coordination (45%)

•Collects and maintains all federal policies/procedures and program guidance related to residential services and foster care for UC and URM populations

•Liaises with federal government funders (Office of Refugee Resettlement and Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration – US Department of State, PRM) on new policy/procedure clarification

•Disseminates all federal policies/procedures, program guidance, resources and program tools to USCCB’s national UC/URM program network

•Responsible for maintaining the foster care unit’s members only on-line platform to disseminate information to the UC/URM program network

•Develops and edits members-only webpage materials; prepares and posts materials

•Assists with creation and dissemination of USCCB’s UC/URM program network monthly newsletter

•Coordinates invitations for network trainings and network calls

•Composes updates to the Foster Care pages on the USCCB website, submits edits for review, assists in completing required updates to the website

•Develops and conducts surveys and analyzes responses

•Leads coordination of design and implementation of database for effective data tracking

•Acts as liaison with the Migration and Refugee Information Systems segment of MRS regarding database functionality and usability

•As needed, manages exploration of new technology platforms to support team needs

General (15%)

•Assists Associate Director with tracking administrative expenditures

•Plays considerable role in the coordination of annual training events, including executing or managing logistics and working with team to plan content

•Responsible for maintaining and updating internal program operations manual and other internal program materials, such as reporting forms and monitoring tools

•Contributes to annual grant proposal process by liaising with program network to gather pertinent information

•Prepares and/or disseminates resource materials, as needed

•Remains knowledgeable of current research and evidence-based practice in foster care, and disseminates relevant information to USCCB/MRS national staff and UC/URM program network

•Assists USCCB/MRS national staff with research and the writing of papers or other educational documents regarding case, programmatic and systemic trends and issues

•Supports in drafting communications, as needed .

•Participates in weekly Foster Care team and internal case staffing meetings

•Provides coverage to the Foster Care Referral and Placement team

•Responsible for other duties as assigned

•USCCB’s national UC/URM program network

•Responsible for maintaining the foster care unit’s members only on-line platform to disseminate information to the UC/URM program network

•Develops and edits members-only webpage materials; prepares and posts materials

•Assists with creation and dissemination of USCCB’s UC/URM program network monthly newsletter

•Coordinates invitations for network trainings and network calls

•Composes updates to the Foster Care pages on the USCCB website, submits edits for review, assists in completing required updates to the website

•Develops and conducts surveys and analyzes responses

•Leads coordination of design and implementation of database for effective data tracking

•Acts as liaison with the Migration and Refugee Information Systems segment of MRS regarding database functionality and usability

•As needed, manages exploration of new technology platforms to support team needs

Other Specialized Training: (i.e. word processing, personal computer, knowledge of Catholic Church, etc.)

•Ability to quickly learn and utilize multiple software programs and systems.

•Strong oral and written communication skills.

•Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM database.

•Keen sense of aesthetic and design for visual materials.

•Excellent organization and record keeping skills.

•Strong troubleshooting, diagnostic and problem solving skills.

•Able to work independently and effectively multi-task – completing work tasks in a timely manner with a high level of attention to detail.

•Exceptional customer service experience, and skills – ability to communicate effectively with members in resolving problems.

•Knowledge of survey development and analysis

•Skill in data collection and analysis

•Knowledge of basic accounting/budgeting procedures

•Knowledge of child welfare principles/standards, practices and systems (i.e. foster care, child protective services, basic child placing agency licensing and placement procedures)

•Knowledge of international child migration, including issues related to children in immigration proceedings, victims of trafficking and refugees

•Knowledge of federal grants and cooperative agreements

•Unique or unusual blend of skills or experience

Knowledge and understanding of Catholic Church structure and teachings

Foreign Language Requirement (if any): none required; Spanish preferred

Number of Years Required: At least 3 years of relevant work experience.

*Must live in the DC/MD/VA area