Foster Parent Engagement Specialist

Rush, KY
Full Time
Mid Level

Function:

The Foster Parent (FP) Engagement Specialist is responsible for leading recruitment, outreach, and engagement efforts to build and sustain a diverse, high-quality pool of foster families. This role serves as the primary representative for foster care recruitment, developing and implementing creative, community-based strategies to attract, educate, and support prospective foster parents.

Organizational duties & responsibilities:

  1. The primary responsibility of all staff is to ensure safety and well-being of all Ramey-Estep/Re-group (RE) clients.
  2. Supports the mission, vision, and values of RE.  Facilitates and adheres to the agency’s code of ethics, policies and procedures.
  3. Supports all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies.
  4. Supports and facilitates positive interaction with clients and staff by exhibiting both on campus and in the public when carrying out job duties: individual maturity, respect for others, a team-centered approach, maintenance of confidential information, and an awareness and sensitivity to cultural and other differences in clients and staff.
  5. Exhibits effective communication skills, including proper use of agency communication systems.
  6. Participates in appropriate professional development programs to attain and maintain competency.
  7. Effectively manages financial and physical resources to achieve the mission of RE.
  8. Reports incidents of abuse or potential abuse involving clients to the appropriate authorities and RE.

Essential duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Collaborate with the FC team to develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract, engage, and retain foster parents that reflect the needs of the clients we serve.
  2. Conduct community outreach through events, presentations, faith-based groups, schools, businesses, and civic organizations to promote foster care and RE services.
  3. Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective foster parents; respond to inquiries promptly and provide accurate, compassionate education about foster care.
  4. Coordinate and facilitate information sessions, orientations, and recruitment events both in-person and virtually.
  5. Assist prospective families through the initial steps for the foster parent process, including application, screening, and referral to the Foster Home Coordinator.
  6. Collaborate with the Foster Home Coordinator and FC team to ensure a smooth transition from recruitment to certification.
  7. Track and report recruitment data, including inquiries, applications, conversions, and retention trends.
  8. Maintain up-to-date recruitment materials, social media content, and outreach resources in collaboration with agency marketing and leadership staff.
  9. Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, DCBS, schools, healthcare providers, faith-based groups, local leaders, and others.
  10. Participate in agency events, trainings, and meetings to promote foster care and strengthen community relationships.
  11. Promote inclusive and culturally responsive recruitment practices.
  12. Support foster parent retention efforts through ongoing engagement, recognition, and support initiatives.
  13. Represent the agency professionally at public events and in the community.
  14. Maintain accurate documentation related to recruitment activities and contacts.
  15. Support pre-service and ongoing foster parent training to ensure parents are prepared, supported, and informed throughout their foster care journey.
  16. Actively participate in the Foster Care Quality Workgroup for continuous quality improvement efforts.
  17. Must believe in and act in accordance with both the agency’s and the program’s mission statement.
  18. Perform other duties as assigned.

Working conditions/environment:

  1. Shift is generally day shift, Monday – Friday, but must be available for evenings and weekends as needed by the program/agency.
  2. Holidays, weekends, and extra hours may occasionally be required.
  3. Office setting with extensive computer usage.
  4. Fast-paced environment with a need for quick decisions to deal with any crisis that may arise.

minimum job requirements:

Education:

A High School Diploma or GED is required. 
Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field from an accredited college/university is preferred.

Experience:

Two years of experience in the human service field, sales, marketing, and/or public relations is required. 
Experience in foster care or community-based services setting preferred.

Specific Skills and

requirements:

Must be at least 21 years of age.
Some positions may require a valid Driver’s License and insurability.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Technical requirements include proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and any other applications used by the organization or regulatory agencies.
Excellent leadership skills.
Ability to understand and relate to the needs of youth from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to read, write, and converse in English.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
Successful completion of a background screening.
Successful completion of a TB skin test or proof of a negative chest x-ray or other documentation.

Specialized Licenses or trainings:

Successful completion of Excellent Foundations
Maintain 20 hours of annual training

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and smell.  The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs.  The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance or run.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision. 

Supervisory REquirements:

N/A


Disclaimer:
This job description is not all-inclusive.  Other duties and responsibilities may be added as necessary.
I have received a copy of the above description of my current position.  I have read and reviewed the duties and responsibilities of which I am responsible and am aware of the physical and minimum requirements of this position.  I understand that I am accountable for the duties and responsibilities as described.  This job description does not constitute a contract nor does it alter the at-will status of the employee/employer relationship.

This position is also eligible for our full-time employee benefit package, which offers a generous 401(k) program with immediate vesting with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6%, paid leave, health/dental/vision, and other competitive benefits!

The rate of pay for this position starts at $50,000/annually.


 
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