Foster Care Family Support Specialist at Growing Home Southeast Inc

Description

Growing Home Southeast, Inc.

Position title Foster Care Family Support Specialist

Department Statewide Placement and Community Support Services

Reports to Foster Care Family Support Supervisor

Employment status FT/Salaried/Exempt

Remote within South Carolina

Position Summary

The Foster Care Family Support Specialist provides direct support, supervision, and case management for youth and families in foster care. This position plays a critical role in recruiting and supporting foster families to support placement stability, foster home retention and, ultimately, positive outcomes for children and families. As a key member of a collaborative team, the Specialist ensures every child and family connected to Growing Home experiences quality care and exceptional support, aligning with Growing Home Southeast’s mission.

Scope of Work

In accordance with agency policies and the confidential nature of services provided, the Family Support Specialist will perform duties including, but not limited to foster family recruitment, family assessment, service planning, progress monitoring, home visitation, parent education, case management, facilitation of community referrals, and foster family support. All services are tailored to meet the specific needs and strengths of each family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Foster Parent Recruitment, Training & Support

• Recruiting, engaging, developing, and supporting foster families to ensure the organization has families who can meet the needs of children and youth entering foster care.
• Training, assessing, and orienting foster families per agency policy and state regulations.
• Guide foster parents through the annual re-licensing process, including paperwork and home study addendums.
• Facilitate monthly or quarterly support/training groups for licensed foster parents.
• Provide ongoing supervision, support, and annual performance evaluations for staff
• Identify and address foster parent concerns or challenges and support tailored development to strengthen their support of children and youth in their care and reduce placement instability and disruption.

Placement Coordination & Matching

• Support youth matching efforts by identifying appropriate foster homes based on family strengths and child needs.
• Plan and supervise pre-placement and placement activities, including treatment plan meetings.
• Secure financial agreements with referral workers for each placement.

Case Management & Documentation

• Maintain a consistent caseload in accordance with program requirements, meeting regularly with assigned families.
• Coordinate and monitor service delivery to address emotional, behavioral, educational, and social needs of children and families.
• Track progress toward plan goals, revising plans as needed to reflect progress or changing circumstances.
• Accurately document services, assessments, meetings, and progress notes within 48 hours, ensuring all documentation meets federal, state, and agency standards for compliance and quality.

Resource Connection & Advocacy

• Provide referrals and support in accessing community-based resources and services.
• Assist foster families in obtaining concrete goods and basic needs to promote stability and well-being.
• Advocate for foster families’ needs and coordinate with service providers to ensure continuity of care.

Treatment Planning & Monitoring

• Lead the development of individualized treatment plans for youth in collaboration with youth, foster families, and treatment teams.
• Conduct quarterly reviews and revisions of treatment plans.
• Monitor and document progress toward treatment goals and discharge planning.

Crisis Response & On-Call Support

• Participate in the regional on-call rotation.
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency support to youth and foster parents as needed.

Collaboration & Communication

• Maintain open and professional communication with DSS, internal team members, and agency leadership.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and case reviews to ensure alignment with best practices and program fidelity.
• Contribute to internal initiatives such as team budgeting, hiring, and quality improvement projects.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and partner engagements to promote the quality of care and services.

Professional Development

• Maintain required annual training hours in accordance with federal, state, and licensing board requirements.
• Stay informed on best practices in therapeutic foster care, trauma-informed care, and child/family welfare systems.

Compliance & Additional Duties

• Ensure all activities comply with agency policies, contractual obligations, and applicable regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your manager or agency leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field (required) with 3+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in a related field with 1+ year of experience
• Prior experience in family preservation, child welfare, or case management (preferred).
• Strong understanding of child development, trauma-informed care, family systems, behavioral health, and community resources
• Effective group facilitation and case coordination skills
• Experience working across cultures and diverse populations
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to ethical practice, self-care, and professional development
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to transport clients.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to Growing Home Southeast’s mission, values, and core principles.
• Ability to foster respectful partnerships and empower individuals and families.
• Belief in the capacity for personal growth and change.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and community partners.

Salary: $52,000 - $54,000

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This is a remote position. The employee is expected to have a dedicated, quiet, and professional workspace suitable for conducting work responsibilities, including participating in virtual meetings and handling confidential information.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.

The company is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field (required) with 3+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in a related field with 1+ year of experience
• Prior experience in family preservation, child welfare, or case management (preferred).
• Strong understanding of child development, trauma-informed care, family systems, behavioral health, and community resources
• Effective group facilitation and case coordination skills
• Experience working across cultures and diverse populations
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to ethical practice, self-care, and professional development
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to transport clients.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.