Job Overview
Overview:
Work Standards
Teamwork
We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate
Building Relationships
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
The Area Director will manage the day-to-day operations of our Foster in Texas(FIT) branch locations and provide direct supervision and support to the staff of Family Services Workers(FSW) as it related to the Individual Support Plan(ISP), assessing child progress and needs, and supporting foster care children and their families in accordance to the organization, licensing stanards, state, and local regulatory requirements. Upbring is classified as an essential business by the state because the services we provide are critical to the wellbeing of thousands of children and families. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.
Responsibilities:
We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare
Work Standards
- Monitor and evaluate program services and quality of care to ensure they are always being provided in compliance with all licensing standards and regulatory requirements
- Oversee and manage the placement process, which includes intake and eligibility, verification, assessment, and referral services
- Ensure all foster care homes meet full licensing requirements
- Develop and implement program service policies and procedures and standards of care to meet organization and licensing standards and meet foster care children and family needs
- Maintain demographic and economic information on service population and service area to ensure the program and program services are meeting the needs of the foster care children and their families; use data to review trends in program services and service population and area
- Oversee and monitor case files to ensure they are current and up-to-date and meet licensing standards and regulatory requirements
- Travel as needed to perform home visits to ensure licensing standards are being met and the well-being and safety of the children
Communication
- Prepare monthly reports on program services and activities; submit all reporting requirements in a timely manner
- Review, approve, and sign off on all monthly and annual status reports, discharge summaries, and incident reports
- Ensure staff is completing incident reports of suspected exploitation, abuse, or neglect in a timely manner
Fiscal Management
- Demonstrate efforts to manage a budget within budget limits and constraints
- Using statistical data provide monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports of clinical outcomes, personnel costs, operating costs, residential placement, and discharge
- Apply costs to program operations and the return on investment in terms of quality of care
We Are Servants| We Help Others
Teamwork
- Work closely with the Regional Director to verify service needs of the children and their families are being addressed and/or made available
- Serve as an advocate for program services by recommending program improvements and enhancements to meet the needs of the foster care children and their families
- Maintain a caseload, as needed
- Provide emergency and on-call services when needed
- Lead collaborative efforts and activities with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams, staff, and medical and non-medical providers to ensure all foster care children are receiving the quality of services needed to meet their individual treatment and behavior plans
We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate
Building Relationships
- Develop partnerships with area health and mental health service providers to meet the needs of the foster care children and/or their families
- Develop and maintain positive strong working relationships with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams foster children, foster parents and families, professional service providers, and community partners, while maintaining boundaries always
- Work as member of the management team and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices. Represent the Agency at networking and special events in a positive and professional manner at all times
- Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community
Developing & Engaging Others
- Conduct weekly, bi-weekly, and/or monthly supervision with FSW staff to provide professional coaching and development, case staffing, clinical guidance, and assistance with locating resources
- Maintain an appropriate staffing level to ensure the needs of the foster children and their families and program goals are being met
- Oversee, manage, and assign caseload to assigned staff based on the needs of the children and their families
- Responsible for the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and training new staff and developing and implementing ongoing staff development trainings for Family Services Workers and Administrative staff using an established and consistent training program; ensure all staff meets education and licensure requirements, as deemed appropriate
- Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance and ensure established program goals and service delivery is achieved at the highest quality level, in a timely manner, and within budget; develop staff members to their professional potential, foster teamwork within the program and ensure a seamless service delivery to children and their families
- Regularly review employee performance and provide supportive feedback
- Complete, conduct, and submit 90-day and annual performance evaluations per established completion date
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
- Child Placement Management Staff (CPMS)
- 3 years relevant experience in foster care, child welfare, or adoption
- Valid TX driver’s license and auto insurance coverage
- At least 21 years of age
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of behavior management principles, program development and management, and monitoring techniques
- Strong and effective time management and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities
- Ability to apply sound judgement when making decisions
- Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people and build strong working relationships
- Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and delegate tasks
- Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
- LCPAA, LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC
- 1 year supervisory or management experience
- Bilingual (English and Spanish based on service area and service population)
Career Progression
This position is eligible for promotion/transfer. If an appropriate position is available, the employee must meet minimum qualifications, including the promotion/transfer eligibility guidelines.
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
- This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
- Driving position
- Position works with children and families
- Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.
The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.
Agreement
The statements herein indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of the job and may request the employee to perform other duties and responsibilities not listed at his/her discretion. This job description is not a contract between the employee occupying the position and the employer. Upbring is an at-will employer. Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status. If the day-to-day work I perform differs significantly from the above outlined essential duties, it is my obligation to inform my supervisor and/or Organizational Development.
