Social Worker (FHL) at Forsyth County (NC), NC

About the Department

Forsyth County's Department of Social Services is currently seeking to hire a Social Worker to seek and facilitate licensed foster families and placement of foster children in their homes, as well as evaluating, training & licensing new foster care families.  

Position Duties

This individual will also provide assistance to social workers with locating appropriate placements for foster children, and effectively communicating with foster families, DSS social workers, and community partners.  Thorough and timely documentation of case information required.  Is responsible for sharing after hours on-call duties with other staff is required.  Will prepare foster family for placement and separation and provide ongoing counseling to alleviate family crises and/or improve parenting of children with behavioral and/or emotional problems.  An employee in this position will work with social workers to locate placements and complete paperwork for children requiring placement.   This worker will develop a recruitment plan and develop community relationships to support recruitment efforts. 

The primary hours of work are from 8:00am until 5:00pm however, flexibility in scheduling is needed to meet the needs of the families served and the mandated time frames, as well as participating in monthly recruitment events that typically occur after 5pm and on weekends. 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work or;

Master's degree in Counseling or;

Four-year degree in a Human Service field or related curriculum including at least 15 semester hours in courses related to Social Work or Counseling and six months of Social Work or Counseling experience or;

Four-year degree and one year of experience in Counseling or in a related Human Service field which provides experience in techniques of counseling, casework, group work, or community organization.

A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement.

Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking candidates are a plus.

A valid driver’s license is essential to the functions of this position as regular travel outside of the office is fundamental to the daily work.  Foster Home Licensing Social Workers must visit the foster families/parents and children on their caseloads in the child’s home setting routinely, attend school meetings, potentially attend court hearings, attend community-based meetings regularly, and respond to emergency situations quickly. This position may include driving and sitting for long periods of time. 

Other Qualifications

• The Social Worker will assess and evaluate all findings of foster and adoptive applicants obtained through home visits, interviews, TIPS-MAPP training, observations and discussions with the team.  

• The selected candidate will determine if applicants meet all licensing requirements as set forth by the State of NC and Forsyth County DSS.  Provide ongoing assessments of each foster home placement to determine the progress of the placement.  

• The individual will provide support and training to kinship families with children placed in their homes.  

• The selected candidate will complete home studies, license perspective foster parents and complete re-licensing packets bi-annually.

• This individual will also identify and obtain foster home placements for children who enter foster care. 

• This individual must be able to assess and evaluate all findings of foster/adoptive applicants

• Through home visits, interviews, TIPS-MAPP class participation, observations and discussions with team. Determine if prospective applicants meet all licensing requirements, as set forth by both the State of NC and Forsyth County DSS.  Provide ongoing assessments of each foster home placement to determine the progress of the placement.

• Completes home study assessments on assigned applicants after completion of TIPS-MAPP training and makes determination to license or deny. Completes re-licensing package on foster parents bi-annually.  

• Identifies and obtains foster home placements for children who enter foster care. Identifies and obtain therapeutic placements for teens or children with therapeutic needs if deemed necessary.

• Completes Referral Tracking Form after placement is identified and coordinates placement arrangements with social worker, child and placement providers. Make appropriate referrals to other professionals and community service providers as deemed necessary.

• Discuss and share all pertinent information about the child with the foster family. Conduct 3-day transitional visit with the placement provider. Conducts quarterly visits with foster parents and children.

• Assist with development of public awareness campaign that will educate the community about foster care/adoption. Recruit foster/adopt homes with special emphasis on bilingual, sibling group, and teen placements.

• Set up informational booths at various community events and church fairs to distribute literature and information about fostering/adopting. Conduct bi-monthly interest meetings to general public about fostering/adoption. Develop and submit public service announcements to the media events related to fostering/adoption, includes conducting radio and television interviews.