Homefinder

HOMEFINDER

Graham Windham, one of most dynamic non profit organizations serving NY’s children and families seeks a qualified individual for our Bronx/Harlem locations.

The successful candidate will be responsible to identify, certify and monitor foster and adoptive parents that will attend to the physical and emotional well-being of the children placed in their home. Together with the FPPS Case Management team, the Homefinder will oversee that the foster parents provide good care for the children in their care as demonstrated by a quality family life, safety, education, prompt medical care, good nutrition, routines and structure.

Other Duties & Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Responds to and processes inquiry forms for prospective applicants.
• Opens, recertifies and closes foster homes as appropriate.
• Engages in soft recruitment of foster parents, distributing recruitment flyers when on field visits.
• Conducts visits to applicants’ homes for purpose of assessment and prepares comprehensive written home study for supervisors’ review and approval. Processes intake of kinship referrals for the completion of the expedited home study.
• Evaluates existent foster homes for re-certification.
• Conducts focused interviews and secures required documents and assists with completion of documentation such as SCR, finger prints (of foster parents, relevant family members and babysitting/ transportation resources), medicals etc as required by NYC Children’s Services, Office of Children and Family Services. Maintains and updates foster parent “soft” files and CONNECTIONS records by completing related reports and inputting data in a timely fashion. Prepares and submits reports, calendars and other deliverables as required by agency supervisor, NYC Children’s Services and/or OCFS.
• Facilitates monthly precertification (Orientation, MAPP) & In-service trainings (Recertification) according to the training curriculum.
• Assures scheduling, monitoring and tracking of orientation and training of foster parents.
• Assists the Intake Department in making matches of foster parents to children based upon service needs and foster parent skill level and expertise.
• Upon opening a foster home, on a routine and as needed basis, assesses for safety and risk by assuring that foster home is in compliance with agency, city and state mandates; addresses issues, repairs etc. within the foster home so that follow through occurs within a reasonable time frame through collaboration with the FPPS case management team (Case Planner, Supervisor and/or Director.
• Participates in weekly supervision sessions with supervisor to discuss status and progress of foster homes, certifications etc. as well as to apprise of any impending problems and/or unresolved issues.
• Participates in staff meetings, seminars and training as scheduled; maintains and applies a current knowledge of internal and external regulations and policies applicable to foster care and adoption.
• Acts as a conduit between foster parents and agency based resources for support and referrals especially pending assignment of cases to the agency case planner.
• Demonstrates a willingness to travel within the NYC area to prospective and active foster homes.
• Models and promotes dependable, responsible, professional and accountable behavior; promotes positive program norms and teamwork primacy; supports program mission and philosophy; effectively integrates with other disciplines; models enthusiasm and participation in program activities.

Qualifications

• BSW or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services related area required.
• Experience as a Home-Finder or foster care/ residential caseworker preferred.
• Proficiency in a second language and possession of a valid NYS driver’s license a plus.
• Flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
• Must be a good manager of time and have good writing and organizational skills.

We offer a salary commensurate with benefits and an attractive benefits package

Please email cover letter and resume to Michael Dunne, Director of Operation for the Family Permanency Planning Service to hr7@graham-windham.org
or mail to:
FPPS/ Harlem Facility
127 West 127th Street
New York, NY 10027.
EOE M/F.

Visit us at: www.graham-windham.org