Resource Family Developer

Job title: Resource Family Developer

Department: Family Services

Employment Status: Full-time/Regular/Exempt

Qualifications: An individual with strong convictions who is also in agreement with White’s mission statement, Statement of Faith, and Code of Conduct. A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Human/Social Services, Human Development and Life Studies, Family and Consumer Sciences, or Child Development and three years of experience in community-based support services. Have a valid driver’s license with no restrictions that would limit the ability to perform job functions.

Reports to: Regional Manager

Job Summary: Responsible for recruiting, licensing, coordination of foster parent training, record keeping of all foster parents in the region. Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Basic Responsibilities

Licensing of Foster Parents

• Maintain knowledge of current licensing regulations and Department of Child Services procedural updates and advise the Regional Manager of such
• Recommend licensure of foster homes in accordance with the regulations of the State of Indiana
• Assess applicants appropriateness to foster in consultation with the Regional Manager and in accordance with Indiana Administrative Code pertaining to foster home licensure standards
• Apprise potential foster parents of the White’s Foster Parent Agreement and assess their ability/willingness to provide care accordingly
  
  

Recruitment of Foster Parents

• Promote foster care in the region by accessing various media outlets, sharing promotional material at community events, and making professional presentations
• Respond to foster parent inquiries in a timely manner
• Consult with and update the Regional Manager, Intake Specialist, and Family Specialists concerning the age, gender, and type of child with whom the foster parents wish to care for in order to aid the Regional Manager in developing calculated recruitment goals
• Interview prospective foster parents in conjunction with Regional Manager
  
  

Public Relations

• Market White’s programs and services according to the agency’s strategic plan
• Attend community events for networking purposes as appropriate
  
  

Support and Retention

• Address licensing issues and mediate resolutions to the Department of Child Services in consultation with Regional Manager
• Maintain a good working relationship with all foster parents by completing retention home visits and maintaining regular communication
• Supplement staff efforts to encourage and support foster families
• Monitor tracking by the office manager to ensure foster parent records are maintained according to established policies and procedures including training hours and other required licensure documents
• Advocate for foster parents rights as it pertains to the services and supports they provide
  
  

Foster Parent Training

• Coordinate and provide of all pre-service training, including first aid training in accordance with State regulations
• Facilitate in-service trainings to assist foster parents in meeting Department of Child Services requirements
  
  

Intake/Case Management

• Consult with intake staff to assess and identify appropriate foster parent matches for referred children
• When needed, assist with case management
  
  

Skills, Supervision, Knowledge, and Ability

• Individual must have a professional commitment to work with potential foster parents, other staff members, and the general public
• Must work with minimal direct supervision
• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills
• Must maintain confidentiality with sensitive, personal information about foster parents and maintain professional boundaries and ensure foster parents do the same
• Must work effectively with the other members of the White’s staff
• Must assess the abilities and therapeutic capacity of potential foster parents
• Must maintain foster home licensing records and work with the office manager to ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
• Must personably, genuinely, empathetically, and emotionally communicate and interact with foster children, resource families, birth families, other professionals, and placing agency workers
• Must maintain appropriate hygiene and attire
• Must be dependable and exercise sound decision making in assessing potential foster parents; timely management of foster parent licensure and re-licensure process is required
• Must be committed to the Mission, Core Values, and Vision of White’s Residential and Family Services
  
  

Physical Demands of Position

• Must be able to drive long distances to visit foster homes
• Must be able to climb steps to access foster homes
  
  

Working Conditions

• Licensing work requires visiting diverse neighborhoods and cultural settings.
• Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (part-time employees will work as needed)
• Visiting families in their homes and recruiting activities will often extend beyond these office hours.
• RFD’s must attend Resource Family pre-service and in-service trainings
• RFD’s must respond to child and family crises when available. Their cell phone number will be given to staff and to resource families to use as needed. RFD’s may be required to participate in an on-call rotation