Foster Home Development Specialist

About Upbring 

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About our Children's Shelters

Many children begin life in the face of serious challenges. Instead of playing pretend and imagining grand adventures, unaccompanied children face perilous conditions alone as they travel to unfamiliar countries, leaving home and loved ones behind to escape war and violence. Our children’s centers, operated through a grant from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR), provide safety, stability and wraparound services. We help children grow into adults who have received love and kindness, instead of only violence and chaos.

What You'll Do

The Home Development Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and supporting a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy and program to recruit new foster and adoption families for Unaccompanied Children (UC) in accordance with agency standards, licensing, and Commission and Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards, and funding requirements.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards 

• Provide case management services and support to foster care parents and families and UC in accordance with licensing standards, contract agreements, agency and CARF standards, and funding requirements
• Complete recruitment, intake/eligibility process, verification, assessment, approval, placement, and referral services to prospective foster care parents and families and UC
• Provide direct care services to the UC; interact with UC in the foster care home and outside activities
• Review and screen referrals to ensure UC are appropriate for foster care placement
• Complete post placement supervision and re-verification for UC and foster care parents and families
• Provide foster care parents and families with information and resources to aid them in the foster care placement, or care of a UC, such as licensing requirements
• Provide sufficient Foster Homes to meet required ORR bed space and sufficient respite beds to meet both ORR bed space requirements and foster parent respite needs. The number of respite beds needed will be based on overall program needs and as per Program Director directive
• Plan, coordinate, schedule, and facilitate orientation for new foster parents and ongoing training for active foster parents and families
• Make regular visits to foster care homes and assess the needs and care of the UC
• Monitor foster care homes to ensure homes follow Agency requirements and minimum standards for Child Placing agencies
• Complete evaluation and monitor the nature, severity, and frequency of risks associated with the UC or placement
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

Communication  

• Complete and submit all necessary documentation into case files and/or contracts to start or complete a foster care or adoption placement; ensure clinical documentation is submitted in accordance with Agency and licensing standards
• Create, implement, and manage a tracking system for foster families as they transition through each phase of the recruitment and verification process and post licensure
• Complete home study interviews and reports in a timely manner

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Teamwork

• Work closely with Program Director and other service providers to ensure the program services are meeting the needs of the foster care parents, families, and UC and the program goals and objectives are being met
• Work closely with management, program staff, case management staff, interdisciplinary teams, and other program service providers to ensure foster care parents and families are aware of the full scope of available program services and resources

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Provide ongoing support and case management services to foster care parents and families
• Work closely with foster care parents, families, and UC to build trust and a positive rapport, while always maintaining ethical boundaries
• Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• 4 years’ relevant experience
• Meet child placement management staff qualifications (CPMS)
• Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to work with children and adults from diverse backgrounds
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to write case notes in a clear and concise manner and with no grammatical errors
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills with the ability to use sound judgement and empathy
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to pay attention to detail and meet deadlines
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) based on service area and service population

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• LMSW, LCSW, LPC
• Previous experience in role within industry

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging 

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.