Therapeutic Foster Care Specialist

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and social service solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and our communities deserve our very best

Canopy has been designated a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year, and is one of only eight companies in Mississippi to qualify for this certification in 2023-2024. Canopy’s employees are charged with building a healthy work culture within their teams, that focus on trust, and the collective goal of helping kids thrive and families to overcome extraordinary challenges.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive Compensation
• 403b Retirement Plan with Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• PTO/Vacation
• Employee Wellness Program and Counseling Services

Position Overview

The TFC Specialist will recruit and coordinate the training of Foster Parents for the Therapeutic Foster Care program. They will plan and promote marketing activities and events for Therapeutic Foster parent recruitment and coordinate recruitment activities with the TFC supervisor. TFC Specialists will assess the needs of youth referred to the programs, in their own environment and appropriately utilize community resources to assist in meeting their needs.  TFC Specialist will conduct interviews and other necessary work to appropriately place individual youth with prospective foster parents. TFC Specialist will provide required contacts with Therapeutic Foster Care families and document contacts in the case records.  Provide leadership and maintain the foster parent support group and perform other family support activities as needed.  TFC Specialist will audit active and closed Foster Parent files for compliance with all applicable standards and complete and submit required program reports.

Job Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Recruit and coordinate training of Foster Parents for the Therapeutic Foster Care program.
• Plan and promote marketing activities and events for Therapeutic Foster parent recruitment. Coordinate recruitment activities with the Adoption Program and Outreach Coordinator.
• Complete home study for foster home applicants.
• Assess the needs of youth referred to the programs, in their environment and appropriately utilize community resources to assist in meeting their needs.
• Assist with interviews and other necessary work to appropriately place individual youth with prospective foster parents.
• Provide required contacts with Therapeutic Foster Care families and document contacts in the case records.
• Organize and assist with foster parent support group.
• Perform other family support activities as needed.
• Audit active and closed Foster Parent files for compliance with all applicable standards.
• Complete and submit required program reports.
• Have face-to-face contact with resource parents at least (2) times per month, with at least (1) of the two (2) contacts made during a home visit.
• Assist with coordinating and providing annual training to maintain foster home licenses.

Assist the TFC Supervisor with:

• Preparing and submitting monthly billing requests and related reports to the TFC supervisor for the provision of services.
• Develop an ongoing monthly newsletter to communicate with Therapeutic Foster Care parents.
• Organizing and monitoring ongoing training for Therapeutic Foster Care parents.

Assist the TFC professional staff with:

• Coordinating and processing new admits to the program.
• Providing linkage, referral and consultation to/with all agencies, organizations, and stakeholders having a direct interest and involvement with the youth and/or the family in care.
• Share on-call duty with other program staff and provide crisis intervention services as needed and within the scope/limitations of demonstrated current competency.
• Assist with transportation for youth/families when necessary to meet important needs that would otherwise go unmet.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Be familiar with all emergency procedures, remain current with all required in-service training, and obtain and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Responsible for sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in the agency/program service population.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Licensed in social work preferred.
• At least one (1) year of documented experience and/or training in working with children with special behavioral/emotional needs and their families/other caregivers.
• Experience working with groups and or in group settings such as support groups and training. Demonstrated competence in writing program materials, completing reports, and assisting with the preparation of reimbursement documents related to payment for services provided.
• Computer skills required. 
• Some experience with general marketing of programs and services to select groups is required. 
• Must be at least 23 years of age, have a valid Mississippi driver's license, a good driving record, proof of legally appropriate auto liability insurance, and must be willing to use personal vehicle for agency business.