Caregiver Support Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Headquarters - Gainesville, FL 32606Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $24.74 - $27.21 HourlyThe Caregiver Support Specialist is responsible for relicensing and supporting licensed foster homes. This position reports to the Caregiver Support Supervisor. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Conduct foster home studies, family assessments, interviews, and licensing activities, including initial licensure, renewals, modifications, corrective action plans, and closures, in accordance with DCF, PSF, and regulatory requirements. Monitor licensed foster homes through quarterly home visits, contact though monthly phone calls, inspections, and case reviews to ensure compliance with health, safety, licensing, and child welfare standards as set by DCF and agency policy. Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned foster families, providing ongoing support, guidance, advocacy, and timely responses to caregiver needs and concerns. Build and maintain positive relationships with foster families to support retention, caregiver satisfaction, and placement stability. Assess caregiver and family needs; identify and address barriers to successful placements and overall family functioning. Provide crisis intervention, problem-solving assistance, emotional support, and referrals to appropriate services and community resources. Connect caregivers with training opportunities, respite care, daycare services, financial assistance, benefits, and other supports for which they may be eligible. Educate and prepare foster parents regarding licensing requirements, agency policies, child welfare procedures, trauma-informed care, and foster parenting best practices. Provide and facilitate pre-service training for prospective foster parents and support ongoing caregiver development through required and recommended training opportunities. Collaborate with case management, placement, licensing, legal, educational, medical, therapeutic, court, and community stakeholders to support children and caregivers. Support placement transitions, reunification, adoption, permanency planning, and placement stabilization efforts. Participate in staffings, multidisciplinary team meetings, court hearings, case consultations, and other meetings as required. Participate in caregiver retention activities, including support groups, peer mentoring, recognition initiatives, caregiver appreciation events, and other strategies that promote long- term foster parent commitment. Respond to and address safety concerns, complaints, allegations, incidents, and critical. events involving foster homes, including follow-up and corrective actions when necessary. Maintain accurate, timely, confidential, and thorough documentation, reports, case records, home studies, licensing recommendations, and correspondence. Promote culturally responsive, family-centered, child-centered, and trauma-informed practices while demonstrating sensitivity to diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Maintain knowledge of child welfare laws, licensing regulations, agency policies, and community resources affecting foster families. Demonstrate professionalism, preparation, collaboration, and respect for the perspectives and expertise of others. Maintain flexibility in scheduling, including availability to work non-traditional hours when necessary to support caregivers and children. Displays understanding of, and sensitivity to, service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. Perform other related duties as assigned in support of foster care licensing, caregiver support, and child welfare program objectives. QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or closely related field. Possession of a valid, State of Florida driver’s license to operate the motor vehicle operated. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or closely related field and two (2) years of relevant experience in child welfare; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Qualifications: Must obtain certification as a Child Welfare Professional and Licensing certification within twelve (12) months of appointment.