Foster Care/Family Engagement Coordinator Chaffee County

Fremont Economic Development Corporation; Salida (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community development organization in Colorado is seeking a Foster Care/Family Engagement Coordinator to oversee family engagement model, manage casework related to kinship and foster care providers, and ensure compliance with child welfare standards. The ideal candidate should have a four-year degree in behavioral sciences and relevant experience in casework, focusing on recruiting, certifying providers, and providing support to families in need. Fluency in English is required, and multilingual skills are beneficial.

Qualifications

• Entry Level: A four‑year college degree in a behavioral science field.
• Journey Level: One full year of full‑time professional casework experience.
• Senior Level: Two full years of professional social casework experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Red Team intake process for child safety.
• Lead family engagement plan and meetings.
• Organize foster care recruitment efforts and outreach.
• Conduct home studies for foster care providers.
• Collaborate with caseworkers for placement options.
• Conduct routine home visits and document findings.
• Provide counseling services to foster parents and children.

Skills

Child welfare laws

Crisis intervention

Communications

Case analysis

Background checks

Education

Four-year college degree in a behavioral science field

Master’s degree allowing substitution for experience

Job description

Job: Foster Care/Family Engagement Coordinator

This is a Foster Care Coordinator position with a significant portion of time spent as a Family Engagement Coordinator. The incumbent coordinates our family engagement model, facilitates family engagement and RED Team meetings, implements the Differential Response (DR) intake model, manages the IV‑E programming, and maintains a caseload of kinship and foster care provider cases. Responsibilities include recruiting, retaining, certifying, and recertifying providers, placement of youth, emergency on‑call availability and response, and required certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Red Team intake process: collect information, convene meetings quickly, follow protocol, stay on task, and ensure child safety.
• Lead the family engagement plan: schedule and structure all family meetings, implement goals according to the prescribed engagement model, and support case workers in treatment planning.
• Organize and implement foster care recruitment efforts, including managing a social‑media account, creating radio and newspaper advertisements, and conducting informational sessions for the public.
• Initiate the home‑study process for kinship and foster care providers: conduct background checks, review documentation, and complete the home‑study within state‑mandated timeframes.
• Review kinship files for ongoing certification and ensure timely recertification obligations are met.
• Collaborate with caseworkers on placement options, locate suitable placements, and monitor client progress.
• Conduct routine home visits with kinship and foster care providers and document findings.
• Utilize state‑mandated information systems for case management, reporting, and documentation of case plans and assessments.
• Apply and maintain the Interstate Compact Act for Placement of Children (ICPC) rules and regulations for the county.
• Provide counseling services to foster parents and children for parenting skills and relationship issues; refer to additional resources as needed for sustained placement.
• Communicate effectively with child welfare caseworkers, supervisors, and directors regarding referrals, assessments, and ongoing cases.
• Attend state meetings and trainings, as scheduled, to keep up with new regulations.
• Offer transportation services to families for visits and activities required for placement.
• Testify in court on matters such as child welfare cases, placement, adoption recommendations, and guardianship or custody investigations.
• Maintain on‑call availability for emergency reasons weekdays and weekends.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Entry Level: A four‑year college degree in a behavioral science field. Must comply with CDHS rules regarding educational requirements. Training will be provided in professional casework techniques and concepts.

Journey Level: One full year of full‑time professional casework experience in a relevant agency or a master’s degree allowing substitution for experience.

Senior Level: Two full years of full‑time professional social casework experience, with one year at Journey Level. Requires in‑depth knowledge of child welfare laws, case analysis, crisis intervention, and court testimony.

Physical Demands

The job requires a mix of office and field work. The approximate split is 50% office and 50% out‑of‑office.

Exposure

• Fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation that can affect respiratory, ocular, or skin health.
• Disease of known or unknown origin, blood‑borne pathogens, and bodily fluids.
• Potential threat of direct or indirect violence or conflict by other individuals.
• Other unanticipated circumstances related to the position.

Physical Demands

• Mobility: Stand 10% of the time, walk 10% of the time, sit 80% of the time. Use legs or arms to ascend/descend stairs, ladders, or negotiate obstacles.
• Lift up to 10 lb occasionally, or a negligible amount frequently.
• Use hand dexterity for typing, handling, and various tasks.
• Good vision: close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Communications

Must read, write, and speak English fluently; multilingual skills including Spanish are an asset. Must testify effectively in court.

Driving

Must operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid driver’s license.