Homefinder - RDS
Regular Full-Time
Bronx, NY, US
About Graham Windham
In full partnership with families & communities, Graham Windham strives to make a life-altering difference to children, youth and families affected by abuse, neglect and delinquency by providing each child we serve with a strong foundation for life: a safe, loving, permanent family and the opportunity and preparation to thrive in school and in the world. With over 500 full-time, part-time and on call employees serving children and families in multiple programs throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem, Graham Windham provides an exciting & enriching work experience.
Graham Windham is one of the first organizations in the New York City to implement Solution Based Casework. Solution Based casework helps children and families to be the solution to the seemingly insurmountable problems in their lives, from generational cycles of poverty, abuse, and neglect to unemployment, domestic violence, and severe health problems. By recognizing and reinforcing their innate strengths and ability to cope, we at Graham Windham empower them to take the lead in making change in their lives.
About the Program
At Graham Windham our Family Foster Care programs help children to get back to their families, adopted into a new family or connected to someone who is willing to be an anchor for children, throughout their childhood and into adulthood. To help us do that, we have hundreds of loving & highly qualified foster parents primarily in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx and Westchester County- who serve as our foster children's substitute family.
Position Overview:
Graham Windhams seeks a Homefinder to identify, certify and monitor foster and adoptive parents that will attend to the physical and emotional well-being of the children placed in their home. Together with the Foster Care & Preventive Case Management team, the Homefinder will oversee that the foster parents provide good care for the children in their care as demonstrated by a quality family life, safety, education, prompt medical care, good nutrition, routines and structure.
Duties & Responsibilities (but not limited to):
- Responds to and processes inquiry forms for prospective applicants. Opens, recertifies and closes foster homes as appropriate. Engages in soft recruitment of foster parents, distributing recruitment flyers when on field visits.
- Conducts visits to applicants homes, using focused interviews for purpose of assessment and preparing comprehensive written home study for supervisors review and approval. Secures required documents and assists with completion of documentation such as SCR, finger prints (of foster parents, relevant family members and babysitting/ transportation resources), medicals etc. within the time frames as required by NYC Childrens Services, Office of Children and Family Services.
- Evaluates existent foster homes for re-certification and Processes intake of kinship referrals for the completion of the expedited home study as per NYC Childrens Services, Office of Children and Family Services protocols.
- Maintains and updates foster parent soft files and CONNECTIONS records by completing related reports and inputting data in a timely fashion.
- Prepares and submits reports, calendars and other deliverables as required by agency supervisor, NYC Childrens Services and/or OCFS.
- Assists the Intake Department in making matches of foster parents to children based upon service needs and foster parent skill level and expertise.
- Upon opening a foster home, on a routine and as needed basis, assesses for safety and risk by assuring that foster home is in compliance with agency, city and state mandates; addresses issues, repairs etc. within the foster home so that follow through occurs within a reasonable time frame through collaboration with the FPPS case management team (Case Planner, Supervisor and/or Director.
- Participates in weekly supervision sessions with supervisor to discuss status and progress of foster homes, certifications etc. as well as to apprise of any impending problems and/or unresolved issues.
- Participates in staff meetings, seminars and training as scheduled; maintains and applies a current knowledge of internal and external regulations and policies applicable to foster care and adoption.
- Acts as a conduit between foster parents and agency based resources for support and referrals especially pending assignment of cases to the agency case planner. Participates in case planning and foster parents meetings to promote positive teamwork towards achieving agency fidelity
- Demonstrates a willingness to travel within the NYC area to prospective and active foster homes
- Models and promotes dependable, responsible, professional and accountable behavior; promotes positive program norms and teamwork primacy; supports program mission and philosophy; effectively integrates with other disciplines; models enthusiasm and participation in program activities.
