Job Description
Who We Are: Founded in 1949, The Arc Baltimore has been a trusted and indispensable community resource for more than 75 years. We provide a comprehensive range of services, including employment training and support, day and residential services, family education and support, treatment foster care, assistive technology, respite services, public policy advocacy, and information and referrals. The Arc Baltimore supports people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships. Our full-time and part-time employees deliver services in people’s homes, workplaces, day centers, and neighborhoods throughout the community. Job Overview: The Foster Care Certification and Licensing Specialists oversee and provide the recruitment, training and certification of potential foster parents. Prepare and maintain all parent records and monitoring on-going compliance with State certification requirements. Key Responsibilities: Engage in new foster parent recruiting activities designed to educate the public about the foster care program. Conduct phone screens and other intake activities for potential foster parents. Assist prospective foster parents in completing paperwork, training and other requirements for certification. Participate in the implementation of the pre-service training module (PRIDE) for treatment foster care parents, in accordance with a family-centered, child-focused, trauma-informed approach to service delivery. Assist in the arrangement and provision of internal and external training opportunities for foster and biological parents. Conduct and assist in the completion of SAFE Home Studies. Maintain all parent files, to include completion of and filing contact notes, and filing all letters sent to foster parents, noting due/overdue program requirements. Track annual certification requirements of all foster parents, including but not limited to CPR/First Aid, Health Inspections, Fire Inspections, Physical Exams, and training hours. Inform foster parents of licensing regulations/requirements, aid them in fulfilling these requirements, and monitor for completion of requirements by documenting progress thoroughly in contact notes. Assist social work staff in the completion of foster parent annual certification assessment including providing assessment forms to social workers and foster parents sixty days prior to the annual renewal date. Assist in providing for the completion of foster parents’ training and paperwork requirements including but not limited to fire inspection, health inspection, and record checks (CJIS, CPS, Judiciary, Child Support, etc.). Actively participate in all audits for the program, providing support to the auditor and supervisory team. Contact Heath, Fire and Legal Departments for inspections, and record checks. Support, plan and provide encouragement to the foster parents through various activities such as the foster parent support group, dinner awards, appreciation gifts, etc. Participate in the child placement process with the supervisory team. Provide on-going collaboration and administrative support to the foster care team. Ensure that all documentation systems and forms comply with internal and external regulations and codes. Assist in maintaining foster parent computer database. Maintain confidentiality. Complete all agency required training for the position. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in human services field (Social Work, Psychology, etc.) required. Excellent organizational, written and oral communications skills. Must be detail oriented and able to maintain files with accuracy and in an organized manner. Experience with the use and maintenance of digital databases. Experience in providing training is preferred. Must have a strong commitment to creating change for children in a family-centered, child-focused, trauma-informed approach to service delivery. This position is both office and community based. Some travel throughout the Baltimore/Metropolitan area. Some evenings and weekends are required. Valid Maryland driver’s license and reliable transportation required. Occasional mild physical demands (carrying boxes, supplies, etc.). Benefits : Generous paid-time-off for benefit eligible positions Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits for eligible positions $500.00 referral bonuses Retirement: 403(b) plan with employer match available after 1 year of service Employee Discount Program Employee Assistance Program