Foster and Adoption Services Manager

Description Responsible for administration of foster and adoption services including direction of Foster & Adoption Services Supervisors and contract compliance in the Out-of-Home Care program. Ensures best practice standards and outcomes for foster and adoption services are being achieved. Ensures continuous professional collaboration externally and internally to ensure the timely provision of comprehensive and well-coordinated services throughout the Out-of-Home Care program.  Ensures day-to-day functions of the Foster & Adoption Services Unit are completed in a timely, thorough, and appropriate manner. Participates as a member of the Out-of-Home Care program management team for the purposes of planning, strategy implementation, continuous improvement, and development of the program and staff.

Responsible for structured supervision meetings on a regular basis with each Foster & Adoption Services Supervisor. Handles crisis and emergency situations as staff persons bring them to his/her attention. Provides consultation to staff to guide re-licensing, foster parent support, adoption and relative placement activities. Reviews and evaluates staff recommendations and performance of foster and adoption activities to ensure adequacy, effectiveness, and conformity to all applicable regulations.

Reviews and approves necessary paperwork. Ensures filing system and data tracking systems are accurate and up-to-date. Responds to any special BMCW or CSSW management requests for information. Ensures case files are complete and up-to-date.

Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and organization values that guide foster and adoption activities.

Ensures effective and timely internal and external verbal and written communication at multiple levels.  Provides input, recommendations, and feedback in case staffing meetings, supervisory meetings, meetings with management, and external meetings as appropriate. Participates in and leads committee and special projects within the Out-of-Home Care program and the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare.

Ensures staff persons receive appropriate training, opportunities for mentoring, coaching, team building. Delegates appropriately to staff. Manages staff performance through use of ongoing and annual performance evaluation. Uses performance improvement planning, disciplinary action, and/or corrective actions as needed.

Develops policies and procedures. Ensures implementation processes that support results-oriented program management. Supports efforts of agency and Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare Quality Improvement team. Recommends and implements continuous improvement efforts within team and the Out-of-Home Care program as a whole. Evaluates effectiveness of existing processes and procedures and recommends improvements to management. Evaluates data and case information to monitor and enhance services provided by program staff.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field required.

Social Work certification required within 3 months of hire.

Three years of Child Welfare experience required.  Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare experience or public-private partnership experience preferred.

Supervisory experience required.