Home Study Specialist

FaithBridge Foster Care; Alpharetta (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

FaithBridge Foster Care is seeking a home study specialist to complete foster and adoptive home studies for approval or re-approval. You will assess, interview, and train prospective and current families, ensuring compliance with agency standards and state regulations.

The role involves risk awareness, collaboration with staff, and potential training duties. Strong writing, confidentiality, and scheduling skills are essential, with some evening or weekend work possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social sciences, social work, guidance counseling, psychology, childhood education or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in child welfare, preferably licensing foster or adoptive families.
• Experience with GA+SCORE and NTDC curriculum preferred, but not required.
• Must successfully complete NTDC Leader training and SAFE Certification upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Determines suitability of prospective and current foster care/adoptive home families; prepares psycho-social home studies.
• Interviews applicants to evaluate motivation, functioning and family dynamics; interprets collateral info.
• Ensures compliance with program policies and state licensing or certification; seeks guidance when needed.
• Identifies potential problems and flags legal or safety concerns to management.
• May recruit and train foster/adoptive parents; provides training support as needed.
• Uses computer systems to write, upload, and manage home studies; maintains accurate records.
• Maintains confidentiality and supports the best interests of children and families.
• Maintains timely communication; meets deadlines and works as part of a team.
• May work nights/weekends as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Cultural sensitivity

Team player

Deadline oriented

Written and verbal skills

Creative problem solving

Community resources knowledge

Independent work

MS Office skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social sciences

NTDC Leader training

SAFE Certification

Tools

GA+SCORE

NTDC curriculum

Job description

The home study specialist is responsible for completing foster and/or adoptive home studies for the purpose of recommending approval or re-approval for prospective or current foster, respite or adoptive families. The home study specialist assesses, evaluates, and helps to train potential and current foster and/or adoptive families. The person in this position may recommend additional counseling or training for the family as part of the home development process.

Core Responsibilities

• Determines suitability of prospective and current foster care / adoptive home families. This includes preparation of comprehensive psycho-social home study, interviewing of foster / adoptive parent applicants to evaluate the family’s motivation, functioning and dynamics, and collecting and interpreting collateral information. Assessment is completed according to agency standards for foster or adoptive parent competencies.


• Assures compliance of foster / adoptive home providers with program policies and state licensing or certification requirements. Seeks clarification from their manager in areas of uncertainty.


• Provides an awareness of potentially serious problems which may arise in the foster / adoptive care homes and alerts management of such concerns, especially those which may have legal risk or safety ramifications.


• Consultation with agency staff regarding the selecting of a foster or adoptive home for a child a child and the transition of that child to the home.


• May also be responsible for recruiting and training or assisting in the training of foster and/or adoptive parents.


• This position is expected to use computers in the performance of writing and producing foster and adoptive home studies. Additionally, all home study paperwork is uploaded and managed in the agency case management online system. Ensures accuracy of all records, reports and documentation and maintains organized files. Completes documentation accurately, thoroughly, and timely in compliance with program standards and regulations.


• Abides by all agency policies and procedures, core values, and cultural covenant. Contributes toward a team-oriented culture and works well with others.


• Maintains confidentiality of client’s and agency information.


• Supports a goal that is in children and family’s best interest at all times and is an active advocate for children and families.


• Understands and supports family systems.


• Maintains sensitivity to issues of race, religion, culture, ethnicity and other issues of diversity.


• Maintains timely communication with others and is able to effectively meets deadlines.


• Treats clients, staff, foster parents and external contacts with respect and dignity.


• Displays a strong discernment and decision-making skills.


• Displays effective, clear, concise writing skills.


• Maintains a spiritual growth and a relationship with Christ through devotions.


• Completes all continuing education requirements and all required trainings.


• Participates in the onboarding of new staff as needed.


• Completes other duties as assigned.


• This position may require work on nights and weekends.

EQUIPMENT USED

Personal vehicle, cell phone, copy machine, fax, computer

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree an accredited college or university in the area of behavioral or social sciences, social work, guidance counseling, psychology childhood education, special education or related field.


• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in child welfare, preferably in licensing foster or adoptive families.


• Experience with GA+SCORE and NTDC curriculum preferred, but not required.


• Must successfully complete NTDC Leader training and SAFE Certification upon hire.

Physical Requirements

• Hearing and speaking ability which allows for effective oral communication of information.


• Ability to physically transport self and clients to various locations.


• Physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job related issues and stress.

Skill Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills.


• Maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients, staff, foster parents, and families served.


• Ability to adapt quickly to a fast-moving, dynamic organization.


• Ability to consistently meet deadlines and timely turnaround while still having vibrant creativity.


• Excellent written and verbal skills.


• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.


• Demonstrated interest in caring for foster families and vulnerable children.


• Ability to work within a team.


• Ability to handle job related matters in a professional, diplomatic and confidential manner.


• Knowledge of community resources and services.


• Ability to organize and execute responsibilities in an independent manner.


• Ability to use passive vocabulary of 5,000-6,000 words and to read at an above-average rate.


• Ability to write complex sentences, using proper punctuation, and using adjectives and adverbs.


• Knowledge of normal business computer skills. Competent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.


• Other preferred skills or experience: non-profit work, marketing/communications, and social media.


• Ability to work effectively with multiple individuals and manage several projects at once.


• Salary commensurate with experience.


• Ability to work within a team.


• Ability to handle job related matters in a professional, diplomatic and confidential manner.


• Knowledge of community resources and services.


• Ability to organize and execute responsibilities in an independent manner.