Homefinding Case Planner

The Homefinding Case Planner performs a wide range of activities related to the maintenance of foster homes. The job�s objective is to open kinship homes, recertify, and/or update studies of foster homes in a timely manner, while implementing all OCFS, ACS, and agency mandates. The goal of the position is to ensure that GSS maintains a sufficient pool of safe and nurturing foster and adoptive homes to meet the needs of the children referred for both temporary and permanent placements.

Reports to: HOMEFINDING SUPERVISOR, FAMILY FOSTER CARE

Location: 7 West Burnside Avenue, 3^rd Floor, Bronx, New York 10453

Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Non-Exempt

Salary: $50,000-55,000 Annually Based on Relevant Post Graduate Experience

Major Duties:

• Conduct annual foster/ home visits/inspections prior to due dates.
• Communicate with appropriate FFC and TFFC staff regarding each home�s annual performance, adherence to training requirements, OSI�s or other incidents during the year, completion and review of medical forms and other foster home related issues as needed.
• Interview current foster parents and new kinship foster parents and collect documents required to certify/re-certify their homes in accordance with ACS and agency guidelines. This includes an in depth personal history in addition to a genogram.
• Interview new home members, references and/or new backup people as needed
• Complete, document and follow up on foster home re-certification assessments and home study updates as assigned.
• May conduct or co-lead NTDC and re-certification training necessary.
• Participate in foster home recruitment activities, department events and other meetings/projects as required.
• Work with HF Administrative Assistant and Reservist/Interns to ensure that recertification medicals and SCR clearances and fingerprint checks are completed on appropriate individuals as required
• Collect annual verification documents on all areas of health and safety.
• Assist the department in coverage of all telephone or written inquiries from potential applicants and ensure timely response
• Assist in maintaining demographic information on foster homes and applicants both internally and externally via Evolv and Connections computer systems.
• Other duties as assigned to meet the job objective
• Flexibility to change as OCFS/ACS/Agency documentation and practice models change and evolve over time
• Collaboration with case planning team on ensuring that the foster home is meeting the standards and complying with all policies and regulations as foster parents should.
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar) and self care in the department/program to create a non-violent and trauma sensitive culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
• Utilize Solution Based Casework in casework practice.
• Implement Solution Based Casework model of casework practice within the department/program.
• Implement and integrate the principles and procedures of Solution Based Casework: assessment, family and individual level outcomes, action plans and documentation and celebration.
• Actively participate in case consultation, continued SBC training and the SBC certification process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor�s Degree Required
• Bilingual Spanish Required
• At least 2 years experience in foster care or other social services field required
• Excellent organizational and writing skills required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite required (especially Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Familiarity with State�s Connections computer system preferred