Foster Care Licensing & Certification Specialist

The Arc Baltimore; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 Holidays

17 Vacation days

9 Sick and Safe Leave days

Medical, dental, vision coverage (self

Family medical coverage

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Life insurance

403(b) plan with employer match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Discount Program

Job summary

The Arc Baltimore is seeking a Foster Care Licensing and Certification Specialist to recruit, train, and certify foster parents, ensuring compliance with state requirements. This role involves maintaining records, coordinating training, and supporting audits in a trauma-informed, family-centered approach.

The ideal candidate will have a Human Services background, two years of foster care experience, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field (Social Work, Psychology, etc.).
• Minimum 2 years of Foster Care experience.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Commitment to child-centered, trauma-informed service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and educate potential foster parents about the program.
• Conduct phone screens and intake activities for potential foster parents.
• Assist with paperwork, training, and certification requirements.
• Coordinate pre-service training and internal/external training opportunities.
• Maintain foster parent files and renewal documentation.
• Track annual certification requirements and ensure compliance.
• Support audits and collaborate with the foster care team.
• Participate in community advocacy groups.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Data management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services

Master’s degree in Social Work (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Database maintenance

Job description

Brief Description

Foster Care Licensing and Certification Specialist oversees and provides the recruitment, training and certification of potential foster parents. Prepares and maintains all parent records and monitors on-going compliance with State certification requirements.

Brief Description

Foster Care Licensing and Certification Specialist oversees and provides the recruitment, training and certification of potential foster parents. Prepares and maintains all parent records and monitors on-going compliance with State certification requirements.

Our Mission

The Arc Baltimore supports people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships.

Who We Are

Since 1949, The Arc Baltimore has been an indispensable resource, providing employment training and support, day and residential services, family support and education, treatment foster care, assistive technology services, respite care, public policy advocacy, and information and referrals.

The Arc Baltimore’s full and part-time employees provide services at people’s homes, places of employment, day centers, and neighborhoods.

What We Offer

A generous benefits package including:

• 8 Holidays, 17 Vacation days, 9 Sick and Safe Leave days
• Single and family medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Voluntary Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Life insurance (Employee, Spouse, Children)
• 403(b) plan with employer match available after 1 year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Health and Wellness package
• Legal Assistance and Pet plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discount Program

Job Responsibilities

• Engage in new foster parent recruiting activities designed to educate the public about the foster care program.
• Conduct phone screens and other intake activities for potential foster parents.
• Assist prospective foster parents in completing paperwork, training and other requirements for certification.
• Participate in the implementation of the pre-service training module (PRIDE) for treatment foster parents, in accordance with a family-centered, child-focused, trauma-informed approach to service delivery.
• Assist in the arrangement and provision of internal and external training opportunities for foster and biological parents.
• Conduct and assist in the completion of SAFE Home Studies.
• Maintain foster parent files, to include completion of and filing annual license renewal documentation, communication and corrective action documentation as needed also noting due/overdue program requirements.
• Track annual certification requirements of all foster parents, including but not limited to CPR/First Aid, Health Inspections, Fire Inspections, Physical Exams, and training hours.
• Inform foster parents of licensing regulations/requirements, aid them in fulfilling these requirements, and monitor for completion of requirements.
• Assist social work staff in the completion of foster parent annual certification assessment including providing assessment forms to social workers and foster parents sixty days prior to the annual renewal date.
• Assist in providing for the completion of foster parents’ training and paperwork requirements including but not limited to fire inspection, health inspection, and record checks (CJIS, CPS, Judiciary, Child Support, etc.).
• Actively participate in all audits for the program, providing support to the auditor and supervisory team.
• Support, plan and provide encouragement to foster parents through various activities such as the foster parent support group, award dinner, appreciation gifts, etc.
• Participate in the child placement process with the supervisory team.
• Provide on-going collaboration and administrative support to the foster care team.
• Together with other professional staff, be on-call on a rotating basis to the social work staff on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis.
• Ensure that all documentation systems and forms comply with internal and external regulations and codes.
• Assist in maintaining foster parent computer database.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Complete all agency required training for the position.
• Be a member of at least one agency committee (such as Retention, DEI, Risk Management, Engagement etc.) and engage in one community-based advocacy group such as MARFY or FFTA.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in the Human Services field (Social Work, Psychology, etc.)
• 2 years of Foster Care experience
• Must have a valid driver’s license (no provisional), transport people supported as needed and meet the agency’s driving requirements.
• Must have a strong commitment to creating change for children in a family-centered, child-focused, trauma-informed approach to service delivery.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in social work.
• Experience in conducting training.
• Certified CPR/First Aid Trainer.
• Experience working with youth, families preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Excellent organizational, written and oral communications skills. Must be detail oriented and able to maintain files with accuracy and in an organized manner.
• Must have strong foundation of clinical skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and database maintenance.
• Must work effectively within a team environment.

Working Conditions

• This position is both office and community based. Some travel throughout the Baltimore/Anne Arundel Metropolitan area is required.
• Must be able to pass a CPS Background Check and CJIS MD and Federal Background Checks.
• Some nights, evenings, weekends required.
• Maryland driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Must be willing to obtain car insurance at 100/300 bodily injury coverage prior to employment.

The Arc Baltimore provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) and is committed to a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, height, weight, gender identity, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We welcome everyone interested in our mission to join us. If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact us and we will make every effort to meet your needs.