Foster Care Social Worker

 

The Village Family Services

For nearly eight years, The Village Family Services and its family of services has provided programs that empower families to develop new skills, change behaviors and improve their lives. Through services such as foster care, parenting classes, family counseling, support groups for victims and batterers, wraparound services, and children's mental health services, we help children live free of abuse and neglect, as well as families stay together. We are committed to building happier, healthier communities, one life, one family at a time.

 

Foster Care Social Worker

 

Under direction of a Foster Care Social Worker Supervisor or Program Director, the Social Worker conducts home studies for out-of-home placements, develops, coordinates, and supervises treatment plans for children in foster homes; recruits, evaluates, and certifies foster homes.

 

Qualifications:

Social Worker must possess a Master’s Degree from an accredited graduate school of social work, psychology or similar field (recent graduates welcomed); MUST BE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH; must have a background in individual and group behavior, as well as family relationships and development theory; must have knowledge of psychosocial and psychotherapeutic methods and sources; must have knowledge of physical and mental illnesses and their effects on personality; must have ability to establish rapport with children and families as well as working effectively within the agency and the social work community at large. Must possess a valid California Driver’s License and state required registration and insurance for any personal vehicle driven for agency business. Live Scan fingerprint clearance and medical clearance are mandatory before first day of work. All clearances are required to finalize employment.

 

Responsibilities include:Intake Interview childrenReviews all current information including

  i.  Medical history

  ii.  Treatment plans

  iii.  Family background

iv.  Previous placements

v.  Child’s behaviors and emotional needs

vi.  Determines whether child is appropriate for placement

vii.  Acts as liaison with referring agencyFoster Child SupportAssess child’s needs and determines services appropriate for the childLocates and coordinates servicesIdentifies appropriate therapy providersArranges and /or supervises visits between birth family and childMaintains records of all services provided and documents all assessments, meetings, decisions, and reportsMaintains correspondence with all service providers, parents, and other involved agenciesMaintains regular therapeutic contact with foster childContacts schools for assessments and ongoing evaluations and reports; assures IEP is developed when indicatedCommunicates needs, services and progress with the referring agency, service provider, and parentsFoster ServicesRecruits potential foster familiesEstablishes and maintains contact with social services agencyOrients, trains, and educates foster parentsSupervises and provides ongoing support for the foster parentsProvides ongoing evaluation of the certified homeFacilitate family meetings and assist in problem solvingProvides emotional supportCollects information to assure that regulations are met and that care provided is appropriateProvides therapeutic interventions on an ongoing basis and during crisisProfessional DevelopmentEstablish and maintains contact with local service agenciesIncreases and maintains knowledge of social work techniques and cultural competency through conferences, review of journals and books and clinical supervisionSeeks and engages community based resources to support foster families