ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FOSTER CARE - SERVICE

Salary $78,000

Basic Function/Overall Responsibilities: The Assistant Director of Foster Care, Services Division, is responsible for the safe care of children and families involved in the agency’s foster care department through supportive case planning, family visitation and supportive services. The Assistant Director coordinates various services and programs connected to the delivery of services to the families we serve. The Assistant Director manages the day-to-day oversight of the program operations and quality and effectiveness of service delivery and implementation aimed at child and family permanency and support. Ensure fidelity and service delivery as outlined in our contracts with Local Departments of Social Services. Research new and innovative methods for delivery of clinical services to children in foster care.

Principal Assigned Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the delivery of supportive and effective foster care services to children and families served and the roles within the Foster Care Department involving case planning case planning, family visitation and supportive services for caregivers and children.
2. Provide general support to all Foster Care staff, to include Clinical and Program Managers in the absence of the Director of Foster Care.
3. Provide bi-weekly supervision to Program Managers and/or designated support staff in a manner that ensures compliance with standards and ongoing performance improvement.
4. Ensure the regular compliance of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations, NY State Law and The House of the Good Shepherd Policy and Procedures.
5. Support the training and development of staff through monitoring performance measures and deadlines, team and individual supervision, and ongoing workforce development areas.
6. Supervise and evaluate assigned staff with respect to overall job performance/exceptions per agency policy and specific role responsibilities.
7. Liaison with OCFS staff from the Syracuse Regional Office regarding any new or updated Administrative Directives (ADM) and any information, training or reporting requirements relevant to OCFS.
8. Participate in the case review process to provide consultation and support and monitor effectiveness of treatment plan development and implementation. Ensure appropriateness of discharge plans, diligence of efforts, monitor potential utilization review issues and ensure appropriateness of placement.
9. Maintain the incident management policies and procedures of The House of the Good Shepherd through training, direction, review and administrative review of all incidents and allegations of Abuse/Neglect/Inadequate Client Care (ICC) for the Services/Clinical Division.
10. Develop and effectively deliver information to foster care staff by leading or co-leading team meetings to ensure that information related to permanency case reviews, case planning and services are being met per local departments of social services and applicable oversight agencies.
11. Co-facilitate and manage program and/or special reviews conducted by regulatory bodies in collaboration with the Director of Foster Care.
12. Active participation in the program and service-specific “Supervision On-Call” rotation/procedure, to respond to support staff during “non-business” hours.
13. Management and participation in program and agency-wide quality improvement initiative in accordance with the agency’s Quality Improvement Department.
14. Point person for external program specific audits.
15. Comply with all agency training requirements.
16. Review and sign off on staff mileage/expense forms verifying compliance with LDSS/HGS travel reimbursement policy for the Program/Clinical Division.
17. Participate in community outreach and public relations activities, as appropriate.
18. Other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Education and Experience Requirements:

1. Master’s degree in social work or related field and either 3 years post graduate experience, preferably in a supervisory capacity or five years' experience in the foster care or behavioral health setting. Experience working in a trauma informed care environment highly desirable.
2. Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field and five years' supervisory experience in foster care or a behavioral health setting required. Experience working in a trauma informed care environment highly desirable.