Homefinding Supervisor (49176)

About Graham Windham:

In full partnership with families and communities, Graham Windham strives to make a life-altering difference with children, youth, and families who are overcoming some of life’s most difficult challenges and obstacles, by helping to build 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 employees serving children and families in multiple programs throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem, Graham Windham provides an exciting and enriching work experience.

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 Windham’s seeks a Homefinding Supervisor to lead and manage the organization’s work to, assess, onboard and develop a strong pool of foster and adoptive parents. The Homefinding Supervisor will ensure compliance with regulatory standards promulgated by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) thorough and timely certification and recertification – including background checks, home safety assessments and continuous trainings. Using the Solutions Based Casework practice model as a frame of reference, the Home-finding Supervisor will ensure that foster and adoptive parents attend to the physical and emotional well-being of the children placed in their homes and that children are placed appropriately in safe, nurturing foster homes based on their development needs. Together with the Family Foster Care & Adoption Program’s Case Management team, Homefinders, will ensure foster parents provide excellent care for the children in their care as demonstrated by a quality family life, safety, education, prompt medical care, good nutrition, routines and structure. The Homefinding Supervisor will also support the Foster Parent recruitment team and the RDS Director as needed.

Position Responsibilities:

Ensuring that that every foster parent who is brought into the program:

• is a safe caregiver for foster children.
• is a nurturing caregiver
• is deeply invested in partnering with the agency, case planners, and biological families.
• is now, or is capable of becoming, and effective manager of child behavior
• Effectively assesses quality of applicant’s prior caregiving and ability to provide safe care in the future

Approving foster parent applications and re-certifications

• Ensure that every foster parent licensed with the agency is a capable, caring parent
• Ensure that every foster home meets OCFS and ACS standards for physical and family safety
• Perform all CONNECTIONS authorization functions including Review/approving home studies, assignment/Approval of recertification.
• Ensure that initial certifications are conducted expeditiously, with a goal of approving homes within 90 days of the initial inquiry.
• Screen and process all initial Foster Parent applications.
• Ensure that all re-certifications are completed on time.
• Review all foster parents records quarterly to ensure they meet ACS/OCFS regulations.

Coordinating foster parent training

• Deliver TRIPP, Deciding Together, and individual Foster Parent training as needed.
• With assistance of case aide, track required training for all foster parents. Ensure that each foster parent is sufficiently trained