Director of Foster Care

Access Services is hiring a Director of Foster Care who will lead the daily operations of foster care, adoption, and respite services provided across southeastern Pennsylvania, with offices based out of Fort Washington and Bethlehem, PA.
This seasoned, dynamic leader will bring strong interpersonal skills and experience in children and youth services to the role. As Director of Foster Care, they will embrace employee development and growth, learning, collaboration and partnerships, and quality improvement. This individual will have a proven track record of continuous improvement and growing programs through innovation and creativity. While a comprehensive knowledge of foster care is desirable, the most important value is skilled leadership development and program accountability.
The Director will oversee on-call scheduling, direct supervision support and education to team members to ensure the program lives out its mission, accurate documentation is maintained, and excellent service is always provided to the children and families served. It is desirable that the Director will have an in-depth knowledge of Foster Care regulations in Pennsylvania.
The Director of Foster Care will partner with executive leaders and other program directors to ensure all quality, compliance, and regulations are met, and Access Services philosophy of care and best practices are in place at all times. Oversight of the Foster Care program will include all programmatic operations including monitoring and reporting key performance indicators and program outcomes, monitoring service delivery quality, compliance, and utilization, fiscal sustainability and growth opportunities, as well as equipping and supporting staff development, educating and raising public awareness, and collaboration with internal and external partners for creative and innovative solutions to meet the needs of the children and families served.
Location: The Director of Foster care will lead a program located across 14 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, with an office based out of Fort Washington, PA or Bethlehem, PA. This role will involve travel across various regions to fulfill the leadership requirements of the role.
Requirements
Program Operations:
Provide overall management, organization, and daily operation oversight of the Foster Care program and services including program development, policies and procedures.
Maintain effective communication with the Vice President and other service line leaders.
Oversee the program’s quality and compliance and utilize the insight of the service line Director of Quality and Compliance and other leaders to direct program interventions and support continuous quality improvement (CQI).
Help ensure the quality of services and regulatory compliance through internal audits of child and provider files.
Report any operational, staff, or individual concerns according to Access Services’ established policies and procedures.
Lead from a position of vision and strategy to support the program to respond to environmental needs and changes, to grow in advance of opportunity, and to be ready for change.
Support and develop program leaders in coaching and developing coordinators and program staff.
Maintain regular communication with county offices, licensing entities, payers, and other key partners.
Seek to partner with others in the community to ensure the best possible support for children and families and to build stronger communities.
Keep abreast of developments and trends in the field and changes in the child welfare and foster care landscapes.
Ensure documentation achieves quality standards, is timely, and entered as efficiently as possible.
Support the identification, tracking, and reporting of key performance indicators.
Promote the Foster Care program and associated services within the community, in partnership with other program leaders and the Culture and Engagement department.
Identify, develop, and improve internal processes and workflows to meet the needs of the program efficiently and effectively.
Oversee all aspects of onboarding, approval, and retention of foster families and respite families/providers through regular file reviews/audits, support to the Children’s Provider Onboarding Specialist and Children’s Respite Coordinator, and in partnership with the Community Liaison and Care Portal Coordinator, to ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
Ensure that both the client and provider electronic health records are kept up to date with accurate information.
Intervene and assist as necessary in issues with coordinators and provider families.
Interface with county Children and Youth staff in licensing/monitoring services.
Ensure and participate in on call coverage, rotation and/or support as assigned.
Fiscal:
Prepare statistical, financial, and additional reports as requested.
Participate in budget development and analysis promoting fiscal health.
Ensure that the fiscal department is provided with all necessary paperwork to complete billing.
Submit all professional service vouchers to the fiscal department for processing.
Understand budgets and take meaures to develop options and actions to put/keep the program in sound financial health.
Personnel Management and Staff Development:
Interview, hire, and train program staff.
Ensure that a proper training program is in place for program employees, foster families, and respite providers who serve on both an hourly support staff model, and on a weekend family respite provider model.
Supervise and coach assistant directors using individual and group supervision models.
Ensure quarterly coaching sessions are provided to all staff.
Direct and support team meetings and staff development to meet the needs of the program.
Other:
Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs.
This position requires the ability to travel during a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectations of this position including attending offsite meetings, providing services in the community, and providing service oversight and supervision. The Director will need to drive their personal vehicle and/or an agency owned vehicle, always drive safely and meet eligibility criteria in Motor Vehicle Policy.
Requirements and Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field including human services, social work, psychology, or special education required; Master’s degree preferred.
Experience:
Three years or more years of experience working in human services required, with preferred experience in children and youth or mental health fields.
Three years of supervisory experience required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent organizational and oral/written communication skills.
Knowledge of the helping relationship, trauma-informed care principles, family systems, child welfare system, and CASSP principles.
In-depth knowledge of Pennsylvania foster care system regulations; additional knowledge of adoption regulations is also very desirable.
Ability to maintain a cooperative and caring attitude towards others.
Ability to effectively supervise, develop, and mentor staff.
Knowledge of person-centered planning, positive approaches and behavior management techniques.
Ability to build strong relationships and partnerships to support the needs of those being served.
Knowledge of pertinent community resources and facilities.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams and programs.
Ability to be flexible, agile, creative, and solutions focused.
Benefits
Compensation:
Salary: Minimum $60,000 starting rate, with increases negotiated on relevant education and work experience.
Schedule: Monday-Friday, with flexibility required occasionally on nights and weekends to support program initiatives.
Our full-time comprehensive benefits package includes:
Health, Vision, Rx, & Dental insurances, HSA/FSA, 401k program.
Tuition Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance.
20 Days PTO (vacation, sick days), 7 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays.
Mileage/Toll Reimbursement, paid travel time between worksites.
Life Insurance, Short/Long Term Disability, Catastrophic Sick Leave, Paid Parental Leave.
Employee Assistance Program (telehealth/in person).
Referral Bonuses up to $750 per hire.
College tuition discounts, Credit Union perks, retail discounts.
Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer