"Alerted.org

Hourly Rate: $21.63/hour ($45,000 annually) Position Summary: The Foster Parent Retention Specialist plays a vital role in supporting, retaining, and empowering foster families. This position is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure the satisfaction, ongoing engagement, and retention of licensed foster parents. The specialist serves as a liaison between foster parents and the agency, offering support, resources, and advocacy to enhance the foster care experience. This position may require evening or weekend hours to meet the needs of foster families. It may involve in-office work, home visits, virtual communication, and travel within the service region. Technical/Functional Expectations: 1. Retention Strategy Development Essential Function : Design and implement programs that recognize, support, and retain foster parents. 2. Relationship Building Essential Function : Build strong, supportive relationships with foster parents through regular contact, check-ins, and appreciation events. 3. Support Services Essential Function : Provide emotional support, crisis management, and resource navigation for foster families. 4. Training & Development Essential Function : Coordinate continuing education opportunities and facilitate support groups or peer mentoring programs. 5. Feedback Collection Essential Function : Conduct regular surveys, interviews, and feedback loops to assess foster parent satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. 6. Advocacy Essential Function : Act as a liaison and advocate between foster families and agency staff, ensuring open communication and resolving concerns. 7. Recognition & Engagement Essential Function : Plan and implement appreciation initiatives, awards, and engagement campaigns to recognize the contributions of foster parents. 8. Data Tracking Essential Function : Maintain accurate records of contact, support provided, and foster parent retention metrics. 9. Collaboration Essential Function : Work closely with licensing workers, placement teams, and case managers to ensure a cohesive support system. 10. Other duties as required: Job performance requires fulfilling other incidental or related duties as assigned, assisting and training others, and performing duties of higher rated positions from time to time for developmental purposes. Behavioral Competencies: 1. Verbal Communication: Able to clearly express ideas, information, or concerns with the spoken word; present verbal information in a straightforward manner; ask questions in order to open channels of communication; listen to understand perspective of others. 2. Trust and Respect: Able to demonstrate respect and treat others in an honest and straightforward manner; keep dealings with others confidential; keep word and follow through on commitments. 3. Customer Service: Able to anticipate and respond to customer's needs, concerns, or questions in order to meet or exceed their expectations; help evaluate needs and options; show care and concern to demonstrate customer importance and value. 4. Develop Relationships: Able to relate with others while building credibility and rapport; give personal support and reassurance; put others at ease; build cooperative relationships. 5. Integrity: Able to demonstrate consistency of words and actions; protect confidential information; do what is right even when no one is watching; demonstrate sound business ethics; consistently comply with organizational values. 6. Adaptability: Able to adjust approach when dealing with arrogant or inflexible people; adapt to changes in situation, direction, or people; adjust to needs of others without losing self-esteem. 7. Sensitivity: Work effectively with and show sensitivity to cultural differences and various socio-economic backgrounds of others. 8. Ethics: Adhere to and model principles and values of Agency and System of Care by being strength-based, solution-focused, maintains highest level of integrity and ethical standards and work collaboratively with employees, partners, stakeholders and clients in all interactions. Business Experience: 1. Valid Driver License - Essential: Required in order to travel throughout the County and other locations for client and other meetings. 2. Previous Foster Parent Experience: Prior experience as a foster or adoptive parent provides experiences which increases the credibility of the Liaison position. 3. Effective verbal and written communication skills: This is required in order to effectively and clearly express ideas, information, or concerns and to present verbal information in a straightforward manner; ask questions in order to open channels of communication; listen to understand perspective of others. 4. Computer and data entry skills: This is required in order to develop presentations, graphics, spreadsheets, brochures and flyers in support of the program. 5. Collaboration, negotiation and problem-solving skills: These are necessary in order to effectively communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders, partners and consumers to achieve productive and positive relationships and outcomes. 6. Minimum 2+ years experience working as a foster parent: 2+ years child welfare experience is required in order to effectively understand and ensure compliance with Florida Statutes and Administrative Code. Educational and Experience Requirements: 1. High School Diploma required. 2. BA/BS - Bachelors Degree or equivalent preferred. 3. Minimum of 2 years of experience in foster care, social services, or a related area 4. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and as part of a team 5. Knowledge of foster care regulations, policies, and support systems 6. Reliable transportation and willingness to travel for home visits, events, and training 7. Experience as a foster parent or working directly with foster families preferred 8. Experience in event planning, community engagement, or program development preferred Physical Requirements: 1. Lifting 2. Carrying 3. Sitting 4. Standing 5. Bending 6. Reading 7. Speaking 8. Listening 9. Typing Family Partnerships of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. These employers also maintain Drug-Free Workplaces. Requests for Auxiliary Aids for Hearing Impaired or Limited English Proficiency Candidates may be made with a minimum of five (5) days notice to C. Hernandez at (321) 752-4650.