Foster Home Developer - Garland, TX

Jonathan's Place; Garland (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Jonathan's Place seeks a dedicated Foster Home Developer to recruit, assess, certify, and develop foster and adoptive families. The role supports children in care by matching them with safe, nurturing homes and serving as a community ambassador.

The position involves conducting home visits, home studies, and pre-licensure assessments, coordinating trainings, and maintaining compliance with licensing requirements. Texas-based travel is required as part of community outreach.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree; related field preferred (Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Child Development).
• Experience in foster care, adoption services, or child welfare is preferred.
• Must be able to pass background checks and hold a valid Texas Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, assess, and support prospective foster/adoptive families.
• Conduct home visits, home studies, and pre-licensure assessments.
• Prepare and maintain licensing and certification documents.
• Coordinate training activities and community outreach.
• Engage with referral sources and partners to support placements.

Skills

Interviewing

Assessment

Home studies

Documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

SW/Related Field Preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary:

Jonathan's Place is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Foster Home Developer to support the recruitment, assessment, certification, and development of foster and adoptive families. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that children in care are matched with safe, nurturing, and appropriate family environments. The Foster Home Developer works closely with prospective foster and adoptive parents throughout the certification process and serves as an ambassador for Jonathan's Place within the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruit, assess, and support individuals and families seeking to foster or adopt children.
• Conduct home visits, home studies, and pre-licensure/pre-certification assessments.
• Complete foster care and adoptive home studies in accordance with agency, state, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct interviews and gather information necessary to determine suitability for foster care licensure and adoption approval.
• Assess family strengths, needs, motivations, and readiness to provide care for children.
• Make recommendations regarding foster home licensure and placement appropriateness.
• Certification and Documentation
• Assist prospective foster families through all phases of the certification process.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation related to licensing and certification requirements.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, state regulations, and licensing standards.
• Compile and maintain certification binders and support documentation for administrative review and approval.
• Monitor and track completion of required training, background checks, and licensing requirements.
• Training and Community Engagement
• Coordinate and document pre-certification training activities for prospective foster and adoptive families.
• Facilitate or assist with foster parent orientations and training sessions.
• Participate in recruitment events, community outreach activities, partner meetings, and public awareness initiatives.
• Develop positive relationships with referral sources, community partners, and stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide consultation and support to prospective foster and adoptive families during the approval process.
• Collaborate with agency staff to identify appropriate foster home resources for children in need of placement.
• Attend staff meetings, provide professional development opportunities, and training required.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support agency operations and program success.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Experience in foster care, adoption services, child welfare, family preservation, or a related field preferred.
• Experience conducting interviews, assessments, case documentation, and home studies are strongly preferred.

Licensure & Requirements

• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout the service area.
• Ability to successfully pass background checks and meet licensing requirements.

Communication and Relationship Building

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with diverse populations.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with referral sources, clients, foster families, prospective foster parents, agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to discuss sensitive and personal topics with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.

Presentation and Training

• Effective public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to facilitate orientations, training, and informational sessions for prospective foster families and community stakeholders.

Assessment and Documentation

• Strong interviewing and assessment skills.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and grammatically sound home studies and assessments.
• Ability to accurately document observations, findings, and recommendations.

Professional Judgment

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to be candid, assertive, and constructive when addressing concerns, challenges, or barriers with families.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel frequently throughout the community to conduct home visits and attend meetings.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift to 25 pounds.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to the mission and values of Jonathan's Place.
• Child-centered and family-focused approach.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse family systems.
• Integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Toperformthejobsuccessfully,anindividualshoulddemonstratethe following.

Achievement Focus

- Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Measures self against standard of excellence. Recognizes and acts on opportunities. Sets and achieves challenging goals. Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

Communications

- Exhibits good listening and comprehension. Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form. Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally. Keeps others adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

ManagingClientFocus

- Developsnewapproachestomeetingclientneeds.Establishesclientservice standards.Monitorsclientsatisfaction.Promotesclientfocus.Providestraininginclientservicedelivery.

Managing People

- Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth. Includes subordinates in planning. Makes self-available to subordinates. Provides direction and gains compliance. Provides regular performance feedback. Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities.

PlanningandOrganization

- Integrateschanges smoothly. Plansforadditionalresources. Priorities and plans for work activities. Set goals and objectives. Uses time efficiently. Works in an organized manner.

ProblemSolving

- Developsalternativesolutions.Gathersandanalyzesinformationskillfully.Identifies problems in a timelymanner. Resolves problems in early stages. Works well in group problem solving situations.

Reasoning Ability:

• Abilitytoidentifyandplanlongandshort-term goals.

Computer Skills:

• Demonstrateknowledgeofcomputerprogramsanddatabasesincluding MicrosoftOffice MusthaveworkingknowledgeoftheInternetandabilitytocorrespondviae-mail.
• (Excel, Word, Outlook and Publisher), Internet Explorer, and Extended Reach.

Certificatesand Licenses:

• Must maintain a current drivers’ license and favorable driving record as condition of employment.
• Musthavecurrentvehicle insurance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Environment

Theworkenvironmentcharacteristicsdescribedherearerepresentativeofthose an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodationmaybemadetoenableindividualswithdisabilitiestoperformtheessentialfunctions.

Moderatenoiselevels.

Physical Demands

Thephysicaldemandsdescribedherearerepresentativeofthosethatmustbe met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mustbeabletoworkaflexiblescheduletoaccommodateagency needs.
• Abilitytospendlongperiodsoftimestanding,bending,stooping,andwalkingaroundthefacility supervising the activities and movement of staff and children.
• Abletoclimbstairs repeatedly.
• Abilitytoliftatleast20 pounds.
• Maintainaworkingtelephoneorotherreliablemeansof communication.
• Musthaveown transportation