Job description
Buckner Children and Family Services Community: Foster Care & Adoption
Location: Dallas, TX - Hybrid
Address: 5310 S. Buckner Blvd, Dallas TX 75227
Shift: 8am-5pm
Job Schedule: Full-time
We are seeking a Kinship Foster Care Specialist to join our Foster Care & Adoption. As a Kinship Foster Care Specialist, is will be responsible for the recruitment and licensing process of kinship caregivers. The specialist will support and sustain a safe verified Kinship foster home placement and prepare the family to continue with Aftercare Services. The specialist will provide the development and provision of services to achieve permanency.
What you’ll do:
- Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of foster children during the time they are placed in a Buckner kinship foster home, as outlined in each client’s plan of service.
- Consult with CPS on appropriate referrals to Buckner for kinship care referrals as well as how Buckner can provide support to kinship caregivers for successful permanency.
- Participate in recruiting opportunities of kinship caregiver to become a licensed foster parent through DFPS/SSCC or local community presentations.
- Assist kinship caregivers through the verification process, as well as provide on-going support and enhanced technical assistance.
- Participate in the screening and licensing of potential kinship caregivers as a member of the team.
- Participate in facilitating training for kinship caregivers to provide them with pre-service and continuing education.
- Complete home studies for potential kinship caregivers as a part of the licensing process.
- Monitoring licensed Kinship Caregivers foster homes in accordance with Minimum Standards and DFPS/SSCC contracts.
- Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and kinship caregivers during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as is required by state licensing and Buckner policy and procedure.
- Coordinate individual, family and/or support group counseling to foster care clients and/or kinship caregivers.
- Provide counseling and crisis intervention support as required.
What you’ll bring:
- Requires in-depth understanding of a comprehensive field of knowledge normally associated with the attainment of a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field. Bachelor’s Degree in human services or other related field required. Master’s Degree is preferred.
- Minimum 2 years prior related experience with kinship caregiver required. 4 years of experience preferred.
- Counseling and/or social work licensure is preferred.
- Requires knowledge and understanding of the dynamics related to working with kinship caregivers.
- Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
- Requires ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people.
- Requires ability to walk, stand and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.
The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the__essential functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.
About Buckner Children and Family Services:
Since 1879 Buckner has been transforming lives through hands-on ministry, serving the most vulnerable from the beginning to the ending of life. Buckner is one of the oldest and most unique faith-based social service organizations of its kind, serving hundreds of thousands of people each year in the United States and around the world. Learn more about our programs and ministry at buckner.org. Buckner is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The same way we treat our employees is how we treat all applicants – with respect. Buckner is an equal opportunity employer (EEO is the law). You will be treated fairly throughout our recruiting process and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration for a career at Buckner.
