Foster Care Licensing Specialist

Bloom Our Youth; Fayetteville (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Bloom Our Youth Inc. is seeking a Foster Care Licensing Specialist to provide comprehensive services to families pursuing care for Bloom foster children. You will complete initial assessments, home evaluations, re-licensing home evaluations, training, and ongoing support for foster parents.

Travel locally is required with reliable transportation. The role requires a BA in human services (Master’s preferred), and SAFE/IMPACT certifications or timelines for completion.

Qualifications

• BA degree in human services; master’s preferred; minimum two years of related work experience.
• Experience in social services position with youth and families.
• SAFE and IMPACT certifications required or to be completed within timeline.
• Flexible, strong written and oral communication; culturally competent; analytic and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates IMPACT/NTDC training sessions.
• Conducts a minimum of 3 in-home visits with prospective foster parents.
• Writes home evaluations in compliance with Office of Provider Management, Office of Residential Childcare, and Bloom policies.
• Provides or arranges all Pre-Service trainings prior to home licensure (e.g., water safety, CPR/First Aid, Reasonable and Prudent Parenting).
• Maintains foster parent case records per program, accreditation, regulatory, and contract requirements.
• Responds to inquiries from DFCS, OPM, and ORCC related to foster home compliance issues.
• Ensures mandatory reporting and other regulatory requirements are completed.
• Assists Foster Care Director in completing Foster Home Policy Violation Assessments as needed.
• Conducts renewal licensing SAFE Home Studies and updates.
• Develops yearly training goals with foster homes per re-licensure needs.
• Collaborates with Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Specialist to meet ongoing training requirements.
• Participates in Bloom strategic planning and PQI activities as appropriate.
• Participates in supervision, staff meetings, and related meetings with foster parents.
• Represents BLOOM at community and civic functions to market the program.
• Adheres to mandating and critical incident reporting guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned; supports PQI efforts.

Skills

Social services experience

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Cultural competency

Computer skills

Child welfare knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SAFE certification

IMPACT certification

Job description

Bloom Our Youth Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Georgia’s families and communities to transform the lives of children and youth impacted by foster care. Through foster care, prevention, and transitional programs, Bloom provides essential support that helps children and families thrive.

Serving more than 8,200 children and youth across the state of Georgia last year, Bloom brings its mission to life through initiatives such as Foster Care services, the Family Resource Center, Bloom University, Bloom Beyond, and the Bloom Closet.

We are a mission-driven, collaborative team committed to making a lasting impact—and we seek team members who are passionate about serving children and families with excellence and compassion.

JOB TITLE: Foster Care Licensing Specialist

REPORTS TO: Foster Care Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Foster Care Licensing Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive services to families seeking to care for Bloom foster children by completing initial assessments, home evaluations, re-licensing home evaluations, certification training, and by providing ongoing support to the foster parents. This individual will also be responsible for completing in-home assessments therefore a willingness to travel locally and reliable transportation is also required.

REQUIREMENTS

• BA Degree required, Master’s Preferred, in human services with at least two year’s work
• experience in social services position with youth and families.
• SAFE and IMPACT certification required or will complete within a specified timeline as specified at time of employment;
• Demonstrated flexibility, strong written and oral communication skills,computer efficiency, strong analytical skills, cultural competency and in-depth knowledge of child welfare best practices.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitates IMPACT/NTDC training sessions.
• Conducts a minimum of 3 in-home visits with prospective foster parents.
• Writes home evaluations in compliance with the Office of Provider Management, Office of Residential Childcare, and Bloom Policies and procedures.
• Provides or arranges all agency Pre-Service trainings prior to home licensure, i.e. water safety, agency policies and procedures, CPR/First Aid, Reasonable and Prudent Parenting, etc.
• Maintains foster parent case records in accordance with program, accreditation, regulatory, and contract requirements.
• Responds to any inquiries from the Department of Family and Children Services, OPM, and ORCC relative to foster home compliance issues.
• Ensures mandatory reporting and other requirements are completed.
• Assists the Foster Care Director in completing Foster Home Policy Violation Assessments as needed.
• Conducts and submits renewal licensing SAFE Home Studies.
• Develops yearly training goals with foster homes according to their re-licensure needs.
• Works in conjunction with the Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Specialist in order to ensure that all ongoing training requirements are met for each foster family.
• Participate in BLOOM strategic planning and PQI activities as appropriate.
• Participate in individual supervision, staff meetings, and other meetings related to foster parents as needed.
• Represent BLOOM at community and civic functions to market the program and advocate for child welfare best practices.
• Adhere to all mandating and critical incident reporting guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned
• Support Bloom’s Performance Quality Improvement efforts by participating in ongoing evaluation and documentation of performance indicators.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

This is a full-time position requiring flexibility of schedule. Heavy travel is required. May require evenings and weekends.

Disclaimer: Although the agency has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, the agency reserves the right to change the same, including changing, adding to or subtracting from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the agency, at any time, with or without advance notice.

Bloom is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. We strive to create an inclusive environment that values the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our employees and the communities we serve. We actively seek candidates who bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the organization.