Job Location : Buffalo,NY, USA
Job Title: Family Resource and Intake Coordinator
Department: Therapeutic Foster Care
Position Summary
The Family Resource and Intake Coordinator recruits, trains, and guides therapeutic foster and special needs adoptive parents through the certification process, from initial inquiry to placement. In this role, you will conduct home studies, lead pre-certification and training programs, facilitate matches, and collaborate with community partners to ensure strong, supportive placements. This position plays a vital role in building lasting connections between families and children in need.
Department
New Directions Youth & Family Services' Therapeutic Foster Care program supports children and youth with diverse needs by preparing families to provide safe, nurturing homes and by strengthening foster/adoptive family relationships.
Agency
New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Benefits
New Directions takes pride in offering an amazing benefits package to support our employees:
Medical, dental, and life insurance
401k with up to 3% agency match
105 hours of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
Flexible scheduling
Opportunities for professional development and advancement
Compensation
$24.12 – $25.34 per hour in the first year, with guaranteed raises.
Hours/Schedule
Full-Time, flexible schedule.
Professional Development Opportunities
We invest in our employees through regular trainings, professional growth opportunities, and access to advancement pathways. Staff maintain certifications including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), First Aid/CPR, and Community Safety Training.
Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities
Develop and execute foster/adoptive parent recruitment and MEPA plans per OCFS guidelines
Build and maintain relationships with media, community partners, and referral sources
Conduct information sessions, pre-certification programs, and additional foster/adoptive parent training
Complete foster home studies and maintain case records
Enter required data into state systems including Connections and Adoption Album, and submit statistics as needed
Facilitate family intake, placement matching, and pre-placement visits in collaboration with supervisors and social workers
Represent the agency at recruitment events, coalitions, and committees
Provide support and communication to foster parents through lifecycle acknowledgments
Obtain and carry Family Group Conference cases; support Family Group Conference facilitators as needed
Attend supervision, mandatory trainings, and team meetings
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors or the Program Director
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong assessment, written, and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of child welfare regulations and regulatory agencies
Teaching, presentation, and facilitation skills
Ability to work effectively with youth, families, and community contacts from diverse backgrounds
Knowledge of community resources and ability to access specialized services
Advocacy skills on behalf of youth and families
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to function as part of a team
Proficiency with documentation and data entry in multiple mediums (logbooks, email, computer systems)
Ability to work independently while being a collaborative team player
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related Human Services field (required)
Valid driver's license, adequate auto insurance, and compliance with agency driving policies
Ability to pass an annual physical per agency health policy (Category 1 classification)
Compliance with agency safety standards and healthy work environment practices
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.