PURPOSE/FUNCTION OF THE PROGRAM:
The Therapeutic Foster Care program trains, recruits, and approves foster/ adoptive parents. The program provides care management services to children ages 6-17 who require out of home care and are capable of living in a family setting. They are children who have some combination of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders as a result of trauma experienced in their lives.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Resource Family Recruiter is responsible for the identification, development, and implementation of BGV’s recruitment and retention goals in compliance with contract requirements. Works within the vision, mission, and philosophy of the agency to effectively recruit and determine eligibility based on initial screening, and efficiently approve qualified resource families for the TFC Program within assigned geographic areas.
The Resource Family Recruiter is also responsible for overseeing all aspects of pre-approval training, post- approval training, and the retention of foster families. This position serves as a liaison between Boys &Girls Village TFC Program, DCF, the media, and other community members. Oversees and provides continuous recruitment services throughout Waterbury, Bridgeport, and New Haven regions in order to raise awareness, and develop foster family resources for children and/or youth who require care due to abuse, neglect, or other at risk factors.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate recruitment strategies that are specific to the needs of children in assigned communities
- Generates recruitment and retention outcomes consistent with child and agency needs
- Provides direct recruitment activities as well as develops, and oversees the Therapeutic Foster Care Recruitment/Retention Plan and evaluates its effectiveness
- Coordinates with the Family Development Specialists, Care Managers, Supervisors, and Director to ensure timely training, approval, matching and pre-placement of referrals
- Oversees and provides all training of TFC families
- Provides ongoing internal/external educational workshops to increase the awareness of foster care
- Attends and participates in regional and statewide recruitment collaborative Meetings (e.g. Network, ISS, and Systems of Care)
- Develop and implement marketing and advertising strategies to identify and develop sourcing opportunities for recruiting quality foster families in the Norwalk area.
- Develop a strong working partnership with Norwalk resource families, local agencies, business and civic organizations, and other community representatives in order to increase awareness and motivate potential individuals to participate in the challenges and rewards of foster parenting.
- Meets expectation of traveling to and working within the Norwalk community 2-3 times weekly
- Participates in screening of prospective foster parents
- Responsible for the overall effectiveness of foster parent pre- service as well as other relevant program trainings
- Disseminates, monitors, and records all activities related to recruitment/ retention on a weekly basis and provides written documentation to program coordinator and manager weekly.
- Completes Home Study Assessments and Family Profiles as assigned
- Foster and value diversity in all recruitment and approval efforts
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Completes and submits recruitment and tracking inquires to Coordinator and Program Director
- Establishes volunteers to aid in recruitment through community grass roots organizations, religious entities, educational settings, youth programs, businesses, media contacts, etc.
- Provides and implements retention strategies
- Performs child specific recruitment activities as assigned
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned in order to deliver seamless services throughout the agency.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Marketing, or similar field
- Knowledge of the foster care system
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Social Work or related field
- Bi-lingual preferred
- Public relations experience
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Must be able to climb several flights of stairs
- Must be able to work with clients in a variety of settings
- Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:
- Evening and occasional weekends are required
- Must have access to reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel throughout the state
- Must be willing to work a flexible work schedule
