Foster Care Licensing Specialist

The Foster Care Licensing Specialist is responsible for licensing and monitoring child foster care homes in McLeod County. This role supports foster families through the application and re-licensure process, ensures compliance with state regulations, and promotes placement stability. The position involves conducting home studies, training coordination, and offering ongoing support to foster parents. Strong communication, organization, and knowledge of child welfare practices are essential for success.

Position Summary

The Foster Care Licensing Specialist licenses child foster care homes, provide support to these homes as it pertains to placement stability and to monitor their ongoing compliance with licensing requirements.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Duties listed are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

Provide Child Foster Care Licensing Services

• Hold family foster care orientation as needed regarding relative foster homes and at least twice yearly for county homes, or more depending on need.
• Assist with ongoing child foster care recruitment program.
• Assist applicants in completing licensing process.
• Monitor completeness of each application per requirements in statute and rule.
• Complete background studies of all adults in the home and children 13+
• Health and safety inspections of potential foster homes.
• Schedule fire safety inspections, if needed, and verify correction of all noted violations.
• Complete home study which includes interviews of family members and written documentation of interviews and findings
• Ensure training requirements are met prior to licensure.
• Submit recommendation to DHS within 20 days after receipt of completed application.

Relicense Foster Care Providers

• Send relicensing packet and schedule relicensing visit at least 30 days prior to each license expiration date.
• Insure providers meet requirements for re-licensure as required in statute and rule.
• Submit recommendation to DHS within 20 days after re-licensing application is complete.
• Monitor compliance of license holders with Minnesota statutes and rules.

Ongoing Case Management and Support

• Refer child protection reports on license holders to supervisor or primary assessment worker and coordinate investigation with assigned worker and participate in investigation, as needed.
• Coordinate any needed immediate licensing violations to DHS as discovered in investigation process – to include temporary immediate suspensions.
• Recommend approval or denial of variances as submitted.
• Provide monthly updates on available training opportunities, including those through MN Adopt and the MN Training Academy.
• Insure support to foster parents after a placement has been made, and includes in-person visits with the foster parents for at least the first six months of licensure and/or placement.
• Arrange respite care, as needed.
• Coordinate needed follow up with placing worker as it pertains to concerns and issues.
• Help arrange child care for provider as needed per the age of the foster children placed with them.
• Assist placing workers with locating an appropriate foster home
• Keep current on DHS rules and regulations.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform job related duties as assigned or apparent.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of social work case management as they apply to the treatment of major behavior problems.
• Knowledge of the causative factors leading to social maladjustment.
• Knowledge of the social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and an understanding of the elements, which affect family security.
• Knowledge of the child welfare laws relating to dependency, neglect and delinquency.
• Knowledge of the techniques of child placement with emphasis on the complete participation of the parent or guardian.
• Knowledge and skills of technical social work, casework and community resources.
• Knowledge and skills of child development, family systems, the dynamics of abuse and issues of separation.
• Knowledge and skills of legal procedures, court system, mental health and medical practices.
• Knowledge of Department of Human Services (DHS) rules and regulations.
• Ability to plan, assesses, and make decisions under pressure.
• Ability to tolerate high levels of stress.
• Ability to make independent judgments with minimal consultation.
• Ability to communicate with and understand the problems faced by families from all cultural and economic levels.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of families and cultures.
• Time management skills.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Social Work or Human Services-related field plus one year of professional work experience.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Child Welfare Foundations Training and Foster Care Licensing completed within the first six months of hire.
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license with proof of insurance.

Relationships

• Regular interaction with County program leaders.
• Regular interaction with individuals of different cultures, economic levels, education levels.
• Interaction with numerous professional partnerships.

 Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

 Working Conditions

• Work is mainly performed in a standard office setting but may also be in clients’ homes, residential facilities, and other county offices.
• May require dealing with persons who may be disoriented, hostile, aggressive, abusive or threatening.
• There may be hours worked outside of the normal business hours.
   

Physical Requirements Of This Position

• Desk work involving use of a computer, telephone, and other devices.
• Communicate effectively with County staff, clients, and professional groups.
• Ability to read screens and documents.
• Ability to drive in various light and weather conditions.
• Ability to type and use a computer or mobile device.
• Office work may include reaching for documents, grasping documents, standing, walking, and repetitive motions.
• Lift and carry files and material weighing up to 20 pounds.

Equipment Required to Perform This Job

• Computers
• Telephones
• Mobile devices
• Motor vehicles

 Additional Notes

• All positions at McLeod County are subject to a background check. This may include, but is not limited to, the following checks:  criminal history, credit, driver’s license, pre-employment physical assessment, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and psychological testing.