Ascentria Care Alliance employees and volunteers take pride in the impact they have on the people they serve. It’s more than just a job, it’s an opportunity our employees have to care for and share in the lives of people who greatly need and appreciate their presence. Ascentria Care Alliance focuses on every child, elder, person with a differing ability, refugee, teenage mom – and whomever they call “family” - in order to build stronger communities one person at a time, ensuring that they experience New England as home to caring communities where people experience love, belonging, wellbeing, and hope. This is an excellent opportunity to help shape the impact of a $150 M non-profit social services organization with programs throughout New England. 

Summary:

The Recruitment Coordinator works cooperatively with many social and community settings to identify potential foster families, provide comprehensive family assessment and to review and retain foster families. The Recruitment Coordinator works a flexible schedule and spends a good deal of time contacting families, connecting with community partners and arranging training and support opportunities within the community. The Recruitment Coordinator works closely with the Community Outreach Manager to develop an annual strategic plan based on current and past data trends. The Recruitment Coordinator is a member of the Family Resource team– helping to license and train families so that children can be placed in safe, stable homes.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing and implementing a strategic plan for program-specific foster care recruitment in conjunction with foster care recruitment across the Children and Families Service Line
•  Support and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans for program-specific foster care recruitment in conjunction with foster care recruitment across the Children and Families Service.
• Recruit qualified foster homes on a continuous basis to meet the growing and challenging needs of clients
• Support foster families through the recruitment and training process.
• Participate in “matching process” and prepares foster parents for their work with the child/youth and family of origin
• Promote the program through community networking and positive representation to internal and external committees, government entities, etc.
• Maintain an excellent relationship with state or private funding sources and other state authorities responsible for regulating foster homes or child placing agencies.
• Develop and maintain expertise regarding regulatory requirements for foster parent qualification and renewal including record checks, evaluations andupdating of file materials
• Complete all documentation required by state licensing regulations in a timely manner, including but not limited to home studies, background checks, annual foster care review and waivers
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein to help meet the goals of the program or the agency.
• Coordinate and provide informational sessions at Ascentria, in the community, at local religious organizations or online regarding refugee foster care.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with children, families and community providers.
• Promotes program through community networking and positive representation to internal and external committees, government entities, etc.
• Attendance and participation in team and/or committee meetings is required.
• Job must be conducted at all times in a way that respects the rights, privacy and the dignity of the client and adheres to all contractual regulations.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein to help meet the goals of the program or the agency such as:
• Complete Home studies as needed, approving homes in compliance with DCF regulations
• Complete yearly Family resource re-evaluations and/or re-assessments according to DCF regulations
• Provide consultation for placement of new arrivals and for family breakdown
• Provide on-going support for family resources, including mediation in crisis intervention

Non-Essential Responsibilities:

• Participate in agency-wide committees or initiatives as necessary

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Human Services or other related field
• Fluency in Spanish and English preferred
• Ability to work within the Mission of the organization, “We are called to strengthen communities by helping people to respond to life’s challenges.”
• Significant experience working with children with social/emotional/physical problems desirable. Mediation and conflict resolution skills helpful.
• Understanding of and ability to work positively with children.
• Understanding of and ability to set professional boundaries.
• Ability to provide documentation such as valid driver's license, evidence of automobile insurance and a clear criminal background record check.
• Must be comfortable teaching and facilitating.
• Must be well organized, able to multi-task, prioritize, and attend to detail.
• A demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population of clients is essential.
• An understanding and acceptance of the refugee and undocumented population.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team
• Ability to work as a team member and independently.
• Must be willing to travel and scheduling flexibility required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to handle situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Computer skills required including intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Excel
• Valid Driver's License with positive driving record and ability to use own car to travel

Trainings Required:

• MA or NH foster parent training trainer certification is required and preferred upon hire

Physical/Mental Demands:

Physical work requirements are important in complying with the American’s With Disabilities Act (ADA) and in determining whether an employee who’s been out on worker’s compensation can return to work.

 The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

Physical Demands are generally:

Sedentary - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

• Required to sit for long periods of time.
• Infrequent light physical effort required
• Requires driving own vehicle to various sites.

Mental Demands are generally:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to problem solve, make decisions, interpret data and organize. 

• Ability to do detailed work with high degree of concentration
• Ability to work under stress or in a fast-paced environment.