Position Summary
The Foster Care Licensing Specialist (FCLS) manages the recruitment, screening, licensing, and renewal of foster families for the Thornwell Foster Care Program in South Carolina in accordance with SCDSS Child Placing Agency (CPA) regulations.
The FCLS works with prospective and current foster families throughout the licensing and renewal process, evaluates placement referrals during business hours, and participates in the after-hours on-call rotation. The FCLS is responsible for meeting monthly goals for licensing new foster families and supporting Foster Care Family Specialists (FCFS) in retaining licensed foster families.
The position requires extensive travel, with mileage reimbursed at Thornwell’s established rate. The FCLS must understand applicable state and federal foster care licensing requirements and Council on Accreditation (COA) standards. The FCLS also assists with pre-service and ongoing training for staff and foster parents.
Core Responsibilities
- Collaborates with Family Specialists to identify potential foster parent applications through recruitment efforts and open, available beds for placements.
- Regularly assesses Foster Care Intake Referrals, including on-call as scheduled, to identify the best possible match between a Foster Child in need and a Foster Home with open beds.
- Screens and orients new prospective foster family applicants.
- Works with families to ensure required supporting documents are obtained prior to licensing and renewals.
- Completes home visits per licensing requirements, which include an initial home visit for safety checks and additional home visits for the purpose of completing the home study for licensure.
- Ensures all foster family electronic and hard files contain all required documentation to meet COA, state, and federal regulations.
- Documents all case notes in accordance with Thornwell policy.
- Leads informational and orientation meetings with all prospective foster parents.
- Works with the Foster Care team to ensure licensing documentation is complete for annual licensing and Council on Accreditation requirements for each home, and provides the State DSS Office with the necessary documentation for audits.
- Assists with planning Family Fun Events, Regional Trainings/Support Meetings, and Annual State-Wide Conference.
- Assists in establishing quarterly and annual goals and objectives for the Thornwell Foster Care Program. Assists in providing monthly activity reports with data collection for grants and outcome measures.
- Participates in Foster Care Team Meetings and Foster Care Meet the Need meetings to make decisions regarding Foster Homes, placements, and respites.
- Maintains regular communication with the Foster Care Program Director, Program Supervisor, and Foster Care Family Specialists to ensure that any concerns regarding foster families and children are addressed in a timely manner.
- Assists in supporting foster families during a staff vacancy in the program as requested.
Working Conditions
The FCLS will work from an office based at the Thornwell campus in Clinton, SC. The FCLS position will work a full-time, flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the families and church/community organizations we serve.
The FCLS will travel within the state of South Carolina, visiting foster family homes, regional offices, and participating in meetings, trainings, and events in public locations. Overnight travel for staff meetings, special events, and training is a requirement of this position.
The FCLS will travel extensively using Thornwell’s vehicle and/or one’s own car when a Thornwell vehicle is not available and will be reimbursed for mileage at Thornwell’s defined standard rate, excluding commute mileage to the office.
The FCLS will be provided with a Thornwell-issued cell phone and laptop.
The FCLS will use computers with the most frequent applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for virtual meetings, and Credible and Binti databases for entering case notes and reports. This position will require the following physical activity level: sitting, standing, walking, driving, setting up/taking down meeting space/exhibit space materials (tables, chairs, presentation equipment, screens, and banners), and playing games at Family Fun Events. Public speaking, compiling reports, and technical writing are components of the FCLS position.
Qualifications
- The FCLS must be committed to supporting foster families that are devoted to establishing a healthy home environment using Trust-Based Relational Interactions (TBRI).
- The FCLS will have a willingness to share their calling to work with foster families as appropriate.
- The FCLS must possess professional oral and written communication skills. In addition, the FCLS must be able to organize, prioritize, and implement work activities independently, demonstrate strong teamwork, and have a desire to grow professionally.
- The FCLS must have direct experience working within community-based case management; field casework and foster care licensing experience preferred.
- The FCLS must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least two years of experience in licensing foster parents or case management experience; or a master’s degree in social work with at least two years of experience working with children and families in community-based settings (preferred).
- The FCLS must have a valid South Carolina driver's license.
Skills
- Experience working with youth with emotional and behavioral challenges and their families.
- Effective problem-solving and creative resolution skills.
- Possess strong organizational strategies to manage own workflow and prioritize needs.
- Strong capacity to build positive relationships with community stakeholders and market the Foster Care program to appropriate sources within the state.
- Ability to participate effectively as part of the Foster Care team.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to compile and write home studies in compliance with agency, state, and federal regulations.
- Interpersonal skills to effectively participate in problem-solving with potential foster families, staff, and agency partners.
Thornwell is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and prefers to employ individuals who are Christians and who possess a Christian commitment, as well as concern, for children and families in need.
Vision: Our vision is to see hopeful, healthy, and empowered children and families fulfilling their God-given potential.
Mission: As a Christian ministry, our mission is to provide safe and nurturing environments where we educate, equip, and support children and families to thrive.
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