Foster Home Licensor

ABOUT FOSTER FIRST

Foster First is a non-profit Child Placing Agency (CPA) that offers CPA- and Behavior Rehabilitation Services (BRS)- level care.  BRS is a temporary, intensive, wraparound, support, and treatment for children and families.  Established in 2003 as Community Resource Group, we began providing services to the Yakima and Wenatchee area.  In June of 2019, we changed our name to Foster First, still continuing to serve children and families.  Foster First serves the Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Benton, Grant, and Klickitat counties. 

At Foster First, we are driven by our mission, "Empowering youth and families for life-long success", and we want to ensure that every child placed within our programs are provided the tools necessary to gain life-long skills that will benefit them throughout their life.

JOB OVERVIEW

Foster First is currently seeking a full-time Foster Home Licensor to join our Licensing team. This role involves recruiting and licensing foster homes in the Benton and Franklin Counties to ensure the highest standard of care for children and youth in our foster care program. This role may also provide licensing support to Moses Lake in Grant County.

As the Foster Home Licensor, you will participate in community events, take the lead in organizing events to connect with prospective foster parents, and guide them through the licensing process . About 50% of your time will be dedicated to creating thorough home studies, ensuring each family's suitability for fostering.  The other half involves offering support to potential foster parents through every step of the licensing process and supporting the licensed foster parents on your caseload.

Your role extends to conducting thorough licensing investigations and maintaining the licensure of existing foster parents. You'll play a pivotal role in orchestrating foster parent orientations and training sessions, equipping them with the tools they need to provide nurturing environments for youth in need.  Collaborating closely with our case management team, you will ensure support for both foster families and the children in our care.

Our mission at Foster First is to "Empower youth and families for life-long success". With the assistance of the Foster Home Licensor, we aim to expand our network of foster homes to better serve and care for youth in the foster care system.

If you are passionate about our mission and committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families, we invite you to apply today.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 100% employer-paid health insurance - includes Medical, Dental, Vision, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• 401K with Employer Match
• Flexible hybrid schedule
• Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• $50 Monthly Phone Stipend
  
• Mileage Reimbursement

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred, but no required.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization is highly desired.
• Knowledge of child development and family systems
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Respond to new inquiries in a timely manner.
• Follow up with each potential foster family in accordance with the established follow up procedure.
• Support potential foster families and caregivers in the completion of their requirements for licensing.
• Support and facilitate the licensing process for prospective families including orientation to Foster First’s mission, values and practices; compliance with LD requirements; pre-service training, and the home assessment process.
• Conduct thorough home studies for prospective families, adhering to Licensing Division (LD) policies.
• Oversee the recruitment process, conduct orientations, and manage caseloads of foster homes.
• Participate in the assessment and on-going development through the licensing process.
• Support and coordinate the re-licensing of foster homes and amend licenses as necessary.
• Support and conduct annual licensing home visits.
• Support and conduct investigations of licensing complaints and assist in gathering information as well as supporting families through the investigation process.
• Consult with case management staff regarding placement, home study and licensing issues.
• Communicate with contacts and professionals at the state Licensing Division (LD).
• Prepare needed and as requested reports and data information.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends to meet with families who are unable to meet during regular working hours or attend recruitment events/presentations.
• Participate in weekly program staff and licensing team meetings.
• Assist with recruitment and retention strategies for foster families in assigned geographic area.
• Other duties as required.
  

Other Experiences and Requirements

• Access to a reliable vehicle and an acceptable driving record (we pay for DMV record)
• Knowledge and understanding of family dynamics and family-centered services.
• The ability to relate well with families of varied lifestyles, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
• Knowledge of and ability to access community resources
• Flexibility in scheduling (afternoon, evening, and weekend availability), and willingness to drive to different cities, and work primarily within the homes/communities of the families.
• Maintain a personal cell phone for client contact (partially reimbursed through agency stipend)
• Must maintain 30 hours of on-going education training per year.

Licensure/Certificates

• WA State driver’s license
• Auto insurance
  
• Successfully pass background check with DCYF
• Become CPR/First Aid/BBP Certified within 3 months of employment
• Complete TB Test within 15 days of hire
  • Foster First does not cover the cost for CPR & First Aid training and TB Test
    

WORKING CONIDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Usually work in an office environment, remotely, or sometimes in non-standard workplaces.
• May work a standard work week but may be required to work after hours and weekends.
  
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring physical exertion (occasionally must be able to maintain 100% weight advantage whenever applying physical intervention, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people), talking, hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements.
  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
The Foster Home Licensors should demonstrate competence in some or all the following:

• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Requires excellent skills in both verbal and written communication.
• Requires public speaking skills and the ability to successfully communicate in a professional manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Foster First staff and the public.
• Requires ability to work effectively with culturally diverse youth and families.
• Requires ability to observe and make accurate assessments of situations and individuals and determine appropriate action required.
  
• Requires ability to provide strategic and logistical planning and facilitate meetings, conferences, and workshops, as required.
• Requires ability to perform tasks with little supervision. Most tasks are governed by standard practices; however, some are not.
• Requires Innovative thinking.
• Detail oriented, with good organizational skills required.
• Requires leadership ability characterized by servant leadership, integrity, and honesty. Must possess the ability to lead through influence as opposed to authority.
• Requires ability to prioritize tasks; requires flexibility to meet changing business needs.
• Requires proficient ability to speak, read and write English.

Foster First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, marital or nursing mother status, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.