Home Study Writer

The Village Family Services, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Village Family Services, Inc. is seeking a Home Study Writer in California to assess and approve or deny foster/adoption home studies. You will interview resource families and related individuals, ensure regulatory compliance, and prepare comprehensive psychosocial assessments.

Qualifications include a Master’s in Social Work and bilingual English/Spanish, plus a valid California Driver’s License. The role involves coordinating interviews, preparing SAFE home study reports, and supporting

Qualifications

• A master's degree is required in a field approved by the State Department of Social Services.
• Master in Social Work is required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License.
• Health clearance, fingerprint clearance and regulatory compliance are required.

Responsibilities

• Reviews potential resource family's file upon assignment of home study.
• Schedules and conducts multiple interviews to complete a SAFE home study.
• Provides recommendations with required certification and submits for supervisor review.
• Maintains weekly case consultation and completes staff trainings as needed.
• Assists with day-to-day operations and pre-certification trainings.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Interviewing

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Social Work

Job description

The Village is accredited by the International Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Adoptions, Foster Care, Mental Health, Wraparound, and Drop-In Center services. We deliver evidenced-based behavioral health services to children, youth and adults, and have long been at the forefront of culturally sensitive foster care and adoption services.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:The Home Study Writer is responsible for assessing the strengths and needs of a family interested in fostering or adopting and approving or denying the family based on their completed SAFE home study. The Home Study Writer is responsible for interviewing the potential resource family, significant others, and any other people in the potential resource family's life that would impact the decision to place youth in their home. The position requires that the individual be knowledgeable of and be in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of the client population served and the programs provided. The individual must have the ability to work effectively with others, manage personnel and program issues as they apply to the position.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A master's degree is required in a field approved by the State Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Regulations, Master is Social Work is required.3. Bilingual English/Spanish Required
4. Must possess a valid California Driver's License.
5. Statement of sound physical health from a licensed physician, including tuberculin skin test.
6. Fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice, FBI and Child Abuse Index.
7. Must meet all requirements set by Community Care Licensing pertaining to the hiring of employees by a licensed community care facility.
8. Appropriate experience and education in a related field:
9. Ability to establish rapport with children and families as well as work effectively within the agency and the social work community at large.

VACCINATIONS REQUIRED: Be able to show proof of immunization or immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route, including:

• Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least four weeks apart) OR born in the United States before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness) OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from a healthcare provider verifying previous infection.
• MMR: two doses of MMR vaccine (at least four weeks apart) OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases.
• Influenza: one dose annually during flu season.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

All of the responsibilities listed below are considered essential functions of this position. Additionally, this position is expected to ensure that the core operating values and the strategic direction of the agency are adhered to.

1. Reviews potential resource family's file upon assignment of home study.
2. Schedules the first interview within 72 hours of assignment and first face to face interview no later than 10 days from assignment.
3. Conducts a minimum of 3 face to face interviews with the following: potential resource family, significant others, and any other people in resource family's life to complete a SAFE home study (psychosocial assessment).
4. Schedules interviews, makes recommendations with required certification, types of full SAFE home study assessment within 4 weeks and submits for supervisor's review. Following supervisor's approval, a copy of this assessment is sent to potential resource family for final review by the writer and makes needed corrections. The writer's signature gets turned into supervisor once approved along with all necessary paperwork such as questionnaires 1 & 2 for all applicants, inventories, and any documents given by potential resource family to supervisor upon initial review of the home study.
5. Maintains weekly case consultation with supervisor.
6. Completes final home inspection as needed.
7. Completes staff training (e.g. Relias trainings, off-site trainings, etc.) as required by the agency and CCL.
8. Assist with day-to-day operations around the office when not in the field conducting home study visits.
9. Assist with pre-certification trainings and orientations for prospective families upon request.
10. Assist as a backup CPR instructor for families.
11. Prepares materials and teaches foster parents as needed.
12. Assists in emergencies, placement duties, and office duties as needed.

Physical Activity

- Sitting and Desk Work: Spending prolonged periods sitting, typing, and working at a computer or video display terminal to compile comprehensive psychosocial and home study reports (typically accounting for roughly 75% of the role).
- Intermittent Movement & Field Visits: Walking and standing during home walkthroughs and environment assessments (roughly 15% standing/walking), plus occasional bending, reaching, or climbing stairs in client residences.
- Lifting & Carrying: Routinely lifting or moving small office items, files, or training materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Communication: Having adequate speaking and hearing abilities to conduct interviews in person or by phone at normal conversational volumes.
- Transportation & Driving: Safely operate a motor vehicle or providing reliable transportation to travel to clients' homes for multiple mandatories in-person family visits.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Adheres to all legal parameters for ensuring and maintaining clients' confidentiality, including HIPAA, State and Federal laws.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.