Foster Care Navigator

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

The Foster Care Navigator will facilitate parent training, technical assistance, communication, innovation, and collaboration that align with specific state and regional priorities, that support the needs of children and families. Specifically, the Foster Care Navigator will establish and maintain working relationships within the community, develop and implement activities to recruit potential foster, kinship and adoptive families. Once identified, the Foster Care Navigator will support foster family applicants on their caseload from intake through the completion of their foster certification by providing; coaching, resources and ongoing support that helps them build the skills they need to become a successful foster family.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an outreach plan that includes staying informed of current children services policy and procedure changes as well as community specific resources to share with current or potential foster/adoptive caregivers, families and community partners.
• Partner with the ODJFS/DCY to recruit qualified foster/adoptive caregivers on behalf of the counties in SDA 2.
• Coordinate and implement special events such as; workshops, fairs, presentations, staffing community events, and sharing appropriate materials to support foster family recruitment.
• Conduct presentations to target audiences including; children service agencies, legislators, churches, parents, and community partners to spread awareness, generate referrals, and cultivate relationships
• Provide training, technical assistance and support to potential foster/adoptive caregivers through a caseload model of service delivery to complete the process to become a foster/adoptive parent: initial screenings, orientation, trainings, obtain requirements and steps to successfully complete the process to become a foster/adoptive caregiver.
• Respond to questions and information requests from current and potential providers, families and community agencies via phone, email and committee meetings by providing up to date information and connection to community resources.
• Provide excellent customer service to external and internal customers including; responding to direct emails, calls and/or text in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with; regional training centers, collaborating agencies, community partners, parents/families, parent groups, and public and private children services agencies (PCSA)
• Create promotional materials and informational resources for internal and external purposes, including fliers, newsletters, website and social media content.
• Develop reports and maintaining records of outreach activities and preparing reports as needed to endure progress on established goals.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, counseling, business, marketing or related field.
• Knowledge of children service agency structure and process in Ohio
• Prefer experience either as a foster parent, having worked in a foster care or children service setting/facility, or having worked as a county children service case worker
• Excellent written and oral communication and organization skills to relate to a broad spectrum of community organizations, and funders.
• Ability to work independently and self-motivate.
• Ability to maintain timely documentation/data entry into an electronic data system
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours within the work week
• Excellent listening skills with the ability to give and receive critical feedback
• Proven ability to work in a team environment
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, cultural relevancy and inclusion required
• Experience in/understanding of the provision of quality customer service
• Knowledge of and experience with technology and computer software, such as Zoom, Microsoft Office products
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.
• Current state driver’s license, automobile insurance and access to a reliable automobile

Fulltime position

• Benefits: Medical (CCRC pays toward), Life (paid by employer), 403b Retirement, Sick Leave, Vacation Time, Hybrid work scehdule