Homefinding Supervisor

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) recognizes that all children in care have experienced some level of trauma, that their needs may change over time, and that their strengths must be supported to successfully reach their full potential. As a blended model, EFFC:

Responds to the needs of the children and family – Allows children, parents, and families to receive therapeutic services and support, accessing a full menu of options with less separation into different programs. Families in EFFC placements receive enhanced case management as well as a full array of services, treatment, and support to help them thrive.
EFFC increases placement stability for the child by allowing flexibility to increase and decrease services and support based on the child’s behavioral and treatment needs. EFFC supports the formation of a trusting and secure attachment relationship between the child and foster parent. Placement stability provides the opportunity for the foster parent and birth parent/family to build relationships with a shared goal of meeting the child’s needs.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Homefinding Department is responsible for the recruitment, training and certification of all foster homes within MercyFirst. With approximately 200 homes either certified/approved or in the process of recertification, Homefinding is the initial contact for prospective foster parents within the agency’s foster care division. MercyFirst approaches its long-standing commitment to provide safe, supportive, and adequate care to any child referred for service by ensuring that the foster families who provide full-time care and supervision are compassionate, well prepared and capable of meeting the needs of the children and families for whom they become partners in service. The Homefinding Supervisor is responsible for the direct supervision, coaching and support of the Homefinding team, focused on marketing, outreach and recruitment, training, assessment, engagement and support of prospective and existing foster families. Approach to service is family-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. The qualified candidate will be responsible for supervising homefinding staff, tracking regulatory compliance, maintaining safe placements for children, adherence to reporting requirements and timeliness, and meeting programmatic outcome measures. Furthermore, occasional travel is required to our Queens, State Island, and Long Island office sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise, train and coach Homefinding Staff (Foster Parent Recertification Specialists, Foster Parent Trainer & offer support as needed to Foster Parent Recruiters and Case Aide and Director).
Manage, track, and implement creative strategies to support Foster Parents meet mandated requirements (not limited to training, medical reports, criminal and child abuse and maltreatment clearances)
Lead National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) and Trauma-Responsive Informed Parenting Program (TRIPP)
Review all home studies and required documentation from each family to ensure home meets NYS and agency standards for annual recertification.
Complete the certification approval process of the home in Connections, ASARA & FACS.
Complete Safety Assessments, case consultations to resolve any concerns presented prior to certification and/or approval, and recertification.
Complete/monitor compliance of recertification process on Inactive homes as needed.
Daily monitoring, oversight management & collaboration with the Intake/Admissions team for the placement of children into foster homes.
Monitor, data update required licensing, home demographics, and all related foster parent information in Connections and ASARA.
Participate in EFFC visitation program.
Provide After-Hours Emergency Phone Coverage as per designated schedule.
Participate in all internal and external mandated meetings.
Promote positive working relationships between foster adoptive parents and members of the agency staff.
Ability to navigate systems of records used in the program: ASARA, Connections and FACS.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in social work, Mental Health, or a relevant field required.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong assessment skills.
Demonstrated ability to handle emergency situations.
Excellent verbal, writing and organizations skills.
Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines including working evenings and weekends when required.
Computer literate in Microsoft Office, Excel, FACS and Connections.
Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, Core Values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).