Job Purpose:

Our next Treatment Foster Care Specialist - Southeast Region will contribute to the mission and vision of the Agency by servicing treatment foster homes and youth in their designated service area.

Duties:

• Actively recruits and develops Level 3 -5 foster homes to plan for growth and meet the needs of purchasers and clients with a focus on Level 5 shift-staffed foster homes.
• Pursues opportunities for geographic growth in the southeast region of the state
• Understands the changing needs of children in out-of-home care to ensure the continuum of foster care services is available and sustainable.
• Consistently seeks out new opportunities to increase partnerships and grow market share.
• Implements regional recruitment and retention plan that is outcome driven and flexible to meet the needs of changing populations.
• Independently develops and maintains extensive community contacts for the purpose of foster family recruitment and program public relations.
• Participates in a minimum of one documented outreach activity per quarter
• Performs all licensure monitoring and re-licensing functions for all assigned foster homes to ensure timely movement of applicants through training, as well as ongoing compliance with licensing standards.
• Develops a thorough knowledge of and conducts all licensing and placement activities in accordance with DCF 56, DCF 54, State Statutes 48, Federal Law (MEPA), COA Standards and Agency policies and accreditation standards.
• Monitors all training attendance to ensure completion for certification and licensure purposes
• Effectively manages all aspects of the foster care placement including, but not limited to:
• Maintaining current knowledge of foster parent availability through regular review of placement openings
• Communicating comprehensive and accurate referral information to foster parents
• Facilitating communication between referral source and foster parent
• Assessing and responding to purchaser expectations
• Coordinating pre-placement visits
• Assisting with/coordinating appropriate service needs, utilizing NM, TBRI and The Seven Essential Ingredients
• Initiating birth parent involvement
• Ensuring compliance with expectations regarding medical, dental, or psychiatry follow-up and the requirement for documentation of these appointments to foster parents and purchasers
• Maintaining an accurate assessment of youth's needs and represents those needs in all decision-making arena
• Providing additional supportive contact with foster parents for the first 30-120 days of placement, at times of threatened crisis, and at junctures of critical decision-making and transitions in order to ensure placement stability
• Establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationship with the child to appropriately assess and meet clinical and service needs
• Update treatment plans, goals and diagnosis to reflect changes (strengths based, TIC infused, for example). Utilize assessment information (a current DSM V diagnosis, for example) to establish relevant, strengths orientated treatment goals
• Assesses all new clients using program criteria to determine if client would be appropriate for an NMT assessment.
• Provides accurate, professional, timely documentation of foster home recruitment efforts, foster home licensing activities, client treatment goals and meetings in case notes, monthly summaries, discharge summaries, and other paperwork.
• Consistently maintains client and foster home files in accordance with program policies
• Enters all documentation in CoBRIS in accordance with program expectations.

Qualifications/Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or equivalent human services degree and a minimum of 2 years of post-degree experience in a social work related field required.
• Master's degree in Social Work or equivalent human services degree preferred.
• Licensed or certified under ch.457, Stats., and ch. MPSW 3,6,11,12,or17.

Experience/Skill:

• Preference given for treatment foster case management and licensing experience.
• 5 years of experience working with children and families in social
• services/foster care.
• Family, group, and individual therapy. Crisis intervention experience. Excellent communication skills. Knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve outcomes and work successfully with internal and external stakeholders.
• Must have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record, reliable transportation, and meet agency auto insurance requirements.
• Possesses stability and personal attributes necessary to work with other departments and staff.
• Proficient in the usage of computer software; demonstrate an understanding of computer file systems and databases, e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, ADP, etc.
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines; Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Physical exam, drug screen, motor vehicle report, and background checks are required for this position.

Position Details & Extras:

• Full time.
• Regular travel in personal vehicles is required with the ability to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Willingness to work beyond normal working hours: evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Involved with students, personnel, family members, visitors, volunteers, interns, government agencies, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Wellpoint Care Network employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Interaction with personnel, clients, family members, visitors, volunteers, interns, and vendors under all conditions and circumstances.
• Fast paced, flexible work schedule includes evenings and some weekends to accommodate program need.
• Participates in assigned meetings, events and learning as required.Other duties as assigned, including serving in a coverage role for other department members.

Organizational Information:

Wellpoint Care Network is a Wisconsin provider of family-centered care and educational services. As a national leader of Trauma Informed Care - a philosophy and practice that acknowledges the profound effects of trauma on the developing brain - we are passionate about delivering quality, evidence-informed care to help children and families overcome trauma and thrive.

Wellpoint Care Network provides a rich continuum of services, including:

• Child Welfare and Foster Care
• Support for youth who have aged out of care
• Care Coordination and Wraparound services
• Mental health therapy and supports such as The Clinic @ Wellpoint, Family Preservation, Caregiver Support, Integrated Community Treatment
• Professional education and clinical consultation (for organizations, schools, and individual/family)

Interested parties please submit a cover letter and resume online. We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourage minority candidates to apply. For more information, visit our website https://www.wellpointcare.org

Equal Opportunity Employer

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