Foster Care Supervisor

I. JOB SUMMARY

The Foster Care Supervisor is responsible for ensuring foster care programs and services meet the agency expectations and goals. The Foster Care Supervisor works with the other Supervisors and staff in the department to address the needs of children and families and manages and directs program operations. The Foster Care Supervisor directs, supervises and evaluates program staff, directly supervising case management team. Works with agency staff as well as DHHS and other entities to address system issues and concerns.

II. DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet the program goals and objectives set by the Director of Child Welfare Programs (DCW) and the Leadership team.
• Establish and enforce norms and best practice models that operate within the rules, regulations and guidelines set forth by the State of Michigan’s DHHS, MCHS, and accrediting bodies. The Supervisor will establish and maintain department systems, records and reports as well as recommend, develop and implement new approaches, policies and procedures for continued improvement of department services.
• Operate within the guidelines of the Employee Handbook, Programs Operations Manual, and DHHS Policies and Procedures.
• Assist in overseeing licensing renewals and rulings to ensure ongoing compliance with all agency, licensing, accreditation contractual and legal obligations and requirements.
• Assist as needed with foster care licensing/certification rules, re-licensing, complaints and adverse rulings.
• Assist with intakes as needed; review placements and referral paperwork as needed.
• Process cases overseeing children in foster care, arranging visitations, counseling both parents, supporting foster parents, attending court, contacting schools and attending school conferences, and ensuring that the foster children make their medical appointments.
• Assist Licensing as needed with coordinating recruitment, orientation and training of foster parents.
• Collaborate with adoption and licensing as needed, along with other departments within the agency as well as with external governing agencies and the community.
• Ensure foster care staff operate within the requirements of their job duties; provide guidance, training, assistance and support to staff when needed including planning, staffing performance, management, professional development, adjusting workloads as necessary and addressing and resolving complaints to create a climate of teamwork and motivation.
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of a formalized orientation of new hires; develop a training program with a curriculum that includes core competencies, knowledge and skills that are necessary for the foster care staff to be successful in their roles.
• Develop departmental structures and processes to hold staff accountable to standards established by state agency policy, practice and programming.
• Work in communication and collaboration with other supervisors in carrying out the philosophy, vision and mission of the agency.
• Operate programs in a fiscally responsible manner by adhering to budgets, controlling expenses, maximizing revenue and complying with all agency fiscal policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, implement, manage, monitor and modify short and long term program initiatives.
• Maintain essential records as needed.
• Ensure that all programming, policies and procedures comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• As needed, represent the agency to outside groups and organizations, including businesses, community, and volunteers.
• Fully participate in regular agency-wide events and appropriate community-wide events and activities.
• Partner with the DCW on all operational and strategic issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations to the DCW based on child welfare analysis and projections.
• Demonstrate commitment to the social sector with a passion for MCHS’s mission and vision.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the DCW and the Leadership Team.

III. BASIC COMPETENCIES

Education and Experience:
The foster care supervisor will be a seasoned and mature leader with broad child welfare experience, ideally beginning in foster care and/or licensing, followed up with knowledge and understanding of other child welfare programs and services offered throughout Michigan.

• Master’s degree in a human behavioral science such as Social Work or a related discipline where 25% of the course credits earned toward the degree are in human behavior science.
• Two (2) years’ experience as a case worker in a social services agency required.
• Child Welfare Training Institute required, with preference for CWTI Supervisory training completed.
• Must meet the State’s Moral Character standard.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Computer and software applications (All MS Office, LMS and MiSACWIS).
• Principles and practices of social work, including the NASW Code of Ethic or related fields of study/profession.
• Policies and procedures related to child welfare.
• Family and child dynamics.

Skills and Abilities Needed :

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with agency staff and government officials.
• Demonstrate leadership and integrity.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work, identify the best people for the job.
• Manage time and multiple priorities; meet deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.

• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Be collaborative and flexible, with a strong service mentality.
• Attend training and travel offsite for meetings and seminars.
• Possess a high degree of personal accountability, responsibility and independent decision making abilities with the skills to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures of the organization.
• Work flexible hours, when needed, which may include some evenings and weekends.

IV. JOB SETTING

The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee will typically encounter during a normal shift. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

V. Other Information

MCHS is an equal opportunity employer where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics as established by law. This policy extends to all policies and procedures related to the recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

F urthermore, this description is a summary of the responsibilities, duties, skills, experience, abilities, and qualifications associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list and may be changed at any time at the discretion of the CEO and the Leadership Team. Employment is still considered at-will in which MCHS or the employee may with or without notice, with or without reason terminate employment. MCHS reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.