Children and Families Director of Foster Care Services

The State of Connecticut is seeking a dynamic leader to be the Director of Foster Care Services for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). The DCF has statutory responsibilities which span prevention, behavioral health, juvenile justice, child welfare, and child protection. The mission of the DCF is to protect children, improve child and family well-being, and support and preserve families. This is accomplished by respecting and working within individual cultures and communities in Connecticut, and in partnership with others.

The DCF has an annual budget in excess of $870 million and operates 15 area offices and four facilities throughout the state. The Central Office is located in Hartford, CT. There are approximately 4,000 employees located at all locations. On average we have 6,300 children and youth in our care at any given point in time.

The Director of Foster Care Services is responsible for directing the planning and development of activities designed to meet the service needs of our client population. The DCF has a state-wide initiative to recruit foster parents to care for the children placed in our custody. This position will be responsible for overseeing department strategic planning process related to foster care recruitment and retention; establishing statewide practice and performance standards related to foster care recruitment, retention and licensing; developing and implementing public relations activity promoting foster care; initiating and providing program oversight of all contracted services pertaining to foster care services; evaluating contracted foster care services including the provision of foster family care and foster parent support or recruitment services; preparing legislative testimony regarding foster care; and assisting in preparation of regulations pertaining to foster care.

The ideal candidate will have ten (10) years of professional experience in a public or non-profit human services organization with statewide operations or multi-faceted programs. Two (2) years of the experience must have been in a managerial capacity with responsibility for at least two (2) of the following functions: child welfare administration, child protective services, regional foster care services or planning and program evaluation. The ideal candidate must also be self-directed, have strong communication skills and bring insightful solutions to the delivery of services to children and families. A Master's degree in Social Work is preferred but not required.

The annual salary range is $89,360 to $114,630. The State of Connecticut also offers an excellent fringe benefit program including medical and dental insurance, retirement program, deferred compensation program, vacation and sick leave programs and many other benefits.

Do you have what it takes to become the Director of Foster Care Services for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families? If so, please forward a cover letter and your resume or curriculum vitae by the close of business on Friday, May 16, 2008 to:

Wanda Estrella
Director of Human Resources
Connecticut Department of Children and Families
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106

e-mail: humanresources.dcf@ct.gov

The State of Connecticut is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer