Foster Care Licensing Specialist

Wellpoint Care Network's mission is to facilitate equity, learning, healing, and wellness by restoring the connections that help children and families thrive.

Wellpoint Care Network - the 2021 BizTimes large non-profit of the year - is seeking a competent, compassionate, and career-oriented professional to serve as our Foster Care Licensing Specialist.

Job Purpose:

Our next Licensing Specialist will assess potential foster parent applicants and follows all state and federal guidelines during the licensing process. They ensure that foster parents receive the support that they need in order to successfully care for children in their home. The Licensing Specialist will uphold Wellpoint values and promotes Wellpoint's vision that every child and family can thrive.

Duties:

• Educates clients and collateral professionals regarding eligibility, requirements, and expectations of program participation.
• Completes primarily initial or ongoing assessment of foster and adoptive families, Level 1-5, utilizing a structured home study tool and process including during the relicensing process.
• Interprets, applies, and enforces requirements of DCF Administrative Code 12, 50, 51, 54 & 56; Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 48; Indian Child Welfare Act; Adoption & Safe Families Act; Multi-Ethnic Placement Act, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare Policy & Procedure and Agency policy and accreditation standards.
• Performs regular licensing visits based on level of care requirements to ensure compliance with all applicable licensing standards, quality care and to assess the needs of the child and foster family.
• Assesses the need for developing and implementing a support plan for each foster parent to address training needs and other supports required to meet the needs of each individual child placed in the home.
• Reviews potential licensing violations and incidents as they arise.
• Collaborates with placement liaison, initial assessment, ongoing case managers and permanency consultants to determine best placement match that meets the needs of the child with the abilities, skills, and training of the foster home.
• Participates in the daytime coverage rotation by providing support during high volume placement days as well as ensuring all calls to the foster parent information line are responded to.
• Responds to requests for information on after hours on an as needed basis.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age to transport children or families.
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field required; social work certification preferred.
• Child Welfare experience required; Foster Care Licensing and/or Adoption experience preferred.
• Experience working with families of a diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic background strongly preferred.
• SAFE Home Study Certification or ability to obtain certification within 3 months of hire.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Ability to assess potential foster families to determine their ability to care for foster children.
• Negotiation, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Must be honest, dependable, and able to meet deadlines; Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills, detail oriented, highly effective verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate an ability to effective understanding and practice of cultural humility and ability work and communicate respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficient in the usage of computer software; demonstrate an understanding of computer file systems and databases, e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, ADP, etc.; eWiSACWIS experience preferred.
• Valid WI Driver's License required.
• Physical exam, drug screen, motor vehicle report, and background checks are required for this position.

Position Details & Extras:

• Full time with benefits.
• Hybrid on-site/remote work is available with reliable broadband connection.
• Moderate exposure to noise.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) may apply.
• Interaction with personnel, clients, family members, visitors, volunteers, interns, and vendors under all conditions and circumstances.
• Subject to frequent interruptions with ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Regular travel in personal vehicles is required with the ability to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Fast paced, flexible work schedule includes evenings and some weekends to accommodate program need.

Organizational Information:

Wellpoint Care Network is a Wisconsin provider of family-centered care and educational services. As a national leader of Trauma Informed Care - a philosophy and practice that acknowledges the profound effects of trauma on the developing brain - we are passionate about delivering quality, evidence-informed care to help children and families overcome trauma and thrive.

Wellpoint provides a rich continuum of services, including:

• Child Welfare and Foster Care
• Support for youth who have aged out of care
• Care Coordination and Wraparound services
• Mental health therapy and supports such as The Clinic @ Wellpoint, Family Preservation, Caregiver Support, Integrated Community Treatment
• Professional education and clinical consultation (for organizations, schools, and individual/family)

We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourage minority candidates to apply. For more information, visit our website www.wellpoint.org.

To protect the health and well-being of our employees, clients and community members we come in contact with on a daily basis, Wellpoint has decided to mandate the COVID vaccine for all employees or be approved with a qualified exemption. Please note that job candidates must be partially vaccinated within thirty (30) days of hire, and fully vaccinated within sixty (60) days of hire or approved for an exemption.

Wellpoint is an equal opportunity employer.