Careers

Foster Care Licensing Specialist – Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough

Headquarters: Pinellas Park, Florida
Hybrid work from home: Full-time
Salary: Competitive - Available upon request

POSITION SUMMARY

The Licensing & Support Specialist is utilized to assist with all licensing procedures to ensure complete and total support for licensed foster families.  Gather all information pertaining to licensure/re-licensure of foster families. Licensing & Support Specialist is also responsible for developing, identifying, and facilitating support services for foster families within the agency.  The Licensing & Support Specialist is the liaison between the foster family and other agency contacts within the system of care. This position may include, but is not limited to the following:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assist, compile, and follow through with the completion of foster family licensing documentation packages – required by law, to acquire and maintain a foster family’s state license. Ensure required licensing documentation packages are submitted to Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the appropriate Judicial Circuit’s Community Base Care (Lead CBC) Agency’s Foster Parent Licensing Unit – by the deadlines, put in place, and required by Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

  • Complete and maintain necessary and appropriate paperwork for all case files, required reports, court reports (if requested), program forms, etc., and assist and train foster parents in appropriate documentation as required by Florida Administrative Code 65C-45.

  • Conduct face-to-face home visits with each foster family within the timelines required and put in place by Florida Administrative Code, DCF, and the Judicial circuit’s lead CBC agency.

  • Write and complete home studies and obtain required support documentation.

  • Complete Home Health Inspections for foster families, as needed for licensing and/or re-licensure purposes.

  • Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of changes in legislation and/or other requirements concerning training and licensing foster families.

  • Continue ongoing support for licensed foster families – to facilitate a positive working relationship between family and agency contacts.

  • Work closely with foster care case manager to assist in obtaining necessary services for children and maintaining professional inclusion for foster parent.

  • Assist in securing and advocating for the acquisition of services and resources necessary to implement foster child(ren)s service plan as needed.

  • Assist after placement of children into foster and respite homes by coordinating with A Door of Hope and DCF/ Community Base Care Agency’s placement, including follow-up for daycare, placement in school, medical appointments, etc.

  • When necessary, attend court with foster parents and advocate with Guardian Ad Litem on behalf of children placed in A Door of Hope foster homes.

  • Assist in the coordination of foster parent support activities, such as monthly support groups and quarterly foster family special events.

  • Maintain constant and consistent contact with foster families and be readily available to provide emergency information and support to A Door of Hope on-call person for each foster family 24 hours per day in the event of an emergency.

  • Be available for a scheduled on-call rotation period of 24 hours a day for 7-days.

  • Attend all required in-service training and community meetings.

  • Assist in all other related duties when necessary.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Licensing & Support Specialist position may also include but are not limited to:

Recruitment Activities:

  • Participate in recruitment efforts when needed

  • Face-to-face follow-up contacts from prospective foster family lead sheets

  • Follow-up telephone calls from prospective foster family lead sheets

  • Orientation and recruitment meetings

  • Recruitment events such as booths, fairs, etc.

  • Speaking engagements such as school events, church and hospital presentations, etc.

  • Face-to-face community networking events

  • Compilation of marketing materials for inquiry leads

Training:

  • Assisting, supporting, and maintaining open lines of communication with prospective foster families throughout the Professional Parenting course and initial licensing process

  • Professional Parenting classroom Training

  • Professional Parenting class training preparation

Initial Licensing:

  • Assisting in supporting the initializer team as needed

  • Face-to-face follow-up visits for potential foster parents

  • Initial Licensing Documentation and file preparation

  • Assisting, supporting, and maintaining open lines of communication with prospective foster families throughout the Professional Parenting course and initial licensing process

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY

        Licensing Supervisor > Director of Licensing > Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. Relevant work experience in social work or closely related fields may substitute for the education requirement for applicants with an associate degree, high school diploma, or GED with at least two years of experience or equivalent experience working with children with emotional disturbances and/or at-risk children.

  • DCF experience preferred in Protective Supervision and/or Foster Care

  • Child welfare certification and Professional Parenting certification, or the commitment to obtain both certifications within the first 12 months of employment

  • Ability to learn and retain an in-depth knowledge of child welfare work, including statutes and regulations regarding licensing and placement of children in foster and adoptive homes

  • Customer service experience

  • Strong detail orientation administrative skills, including the ability to multitask

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures

  • Ability to work independently and self-motivate

  • Ability to be organized and meet deadlines

  • Ability to react calmly and effectively in all emergency situations

  • Continued personal competency through education, outside literature, seminars, etc.

  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, as well as the ability to learn and utilize new software programs

  • Successful completion of a criminal background screening and drug screening

  • Must be able to meet requirements for A Door of Hope auto insurance policy and be able to drive for business purposes

  • Must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license and auto insurance coverage

 

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