Job Details

The Foster Child Placement Worker shall be responsible for:
Assessing, developing, and executing a plan to achieve permanence for the child
including return to the family, adoptions, transfer of custody, independent living, or
other alternative plans;

Providing services to a caseload of children removed from their homes by court order,
voluntary surrender, or voluntary placement agreement and placed in a foster home or
a more restrictive setting

Overseeing the placement to ensure the child's well-being, assessing the probability of
return, and planning for the child's permanence

Participating in the implementing Methodist Foster Care's recruitment plan for
certifying perspective foster families

Preparing and conducting extensive orientation and training for potential foster and
adoptive homes

Examining and evaluating information gathered about families, housing and
environment in relation to provider criteria and licensing regulation for certification of perspective foster homes

Completing home studies

Upon completion of written home studies, recommending approval or denial of
certification for perspective foster homes based on a combined evaluation and
assessment process

Re-evaluating for continued annual re-certification for foster homes.

Developing and implementing corrective action plans to correct deficiencies

Maintaining a listing of all foster homes in area and recommending appropriate
resources to workers placing children.

In addition, for Therapeutic Foster Families:

Having the first face-to-face visit with a child and therapeutic foster care parent on the
day of the child's placement or the following work day;

Having another face-to-face visit with the therapeutic foster parent or child within 10
calendar days of a foster child's placement;

Having telephone contact, on a weekly basis with at least one of the specialized foster
care parents of each child on the specialized child placement worker's caseload;

Visiting a therapeutic foster care parent a minimum of two times a month with at least
one visit being in the foster home;

Visiting the foster child face-to-face in the foster home without the foster parent being
present a minimum of two times a month with at least one visit in the therapeutic
foster care home and one visit outside the foster home

Carrying a caseload of not more than 12 therapeutic foster care children, taking into
account the required responsibilities other than the case management of a child in
foster care; the additional support, contact, and preparation needed by a therapeutic
foster care home, due to the extent of the needs of the child served; and the intensity
of services provided to the child and the child's family

Conduct a quarterly case consultation, which includes the participation of the foster
parents; the child's Foster Child Placement Worker, any Foster Child Placement Worker
Assistants who have participated in car), the Foster Care Supervisor, the child and the
child's family of origin, to the extent possible

Identifying the support needed by the foster family, including a plan for respite care

Recommending and preparing an aftercare plan for a child, prior to discharge from
therapeutic foster care, to ensure a successful transition

Documenting quarterly case consultations and revisions to foster children's service
plans as determined by the case consultations.

Performing other duties as required

The Foster Child Placement Worker shall meet the following qualifications:
Must have a fundamental love for others and a desire to be an agent for change in their
lives.

Must have empathy for others and practice the Golden Rule in relationships.

Must be an active, eager learner and willing to try new methods.

Must possess a strong sense of personal authority, maturity and integrity for agency wide leadership role.

Must possess strong leadership skills to promote staff unity, staff morale and
cooperative relationships among various agency departments.

Must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work or any bachelor's degree
plus one year of social service experience; and

i. a child placement worker located in a branch office apart from the supervisor of
placement services shall have a master's degree from an accredited school of social work; and

ii. in providers where the child placement staff is comprised of one placement
worker, this person shall meet the qualifications of the supervisor of placement
services.

Must have demonstrated an appreciation for the value of maintaining a culturally
diverse staff, demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse staff and the
ability to communicate effectively with all staff members.

Must have a fundamental love for children and a desire to be an agent for change in
their lives.

Must possess a sense of personal authority, maturity and integrity for leadership role
with staff and youth.

Must have strong verbal and social skills for use with youth and staff.

Must be committed to the protection of confidential information, records and reports.

Must have a strong work ethic and be willing to commit to significant job
responsibilities.

Must have excellent organizational and leadership skills and possess imaginative and
creative skills.

Must be able to function in many different roles and participate effectively in the life of
Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services.

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS

The foregoing description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all
responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended
to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.