Area Director of Family Services

Overview

About Upbring 

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.  

About our Foster in Texas (FIT) Program

Upbring Foster In Texas is one of the largest providers of foster care and adoption services in Texas with 14 offices across the state. In 2021 we served 1,176 children, verified 140 new families, and connected 113 children with loving adoptive families. The Upbring heroes on our foster care team connect children with families who provide compassion, safety and support, and when needed, loving forever families.  

What You'll Do as an Area Director of Family Services

The Area Director will manage the day-to-day operations of our Foster in Texas(FIT) branch locations and provide direct supervision and support to the staff of Family Services Workers(FSW) as it related to the Individual Support Plan(ISP), assessing child progress and needs, and supporting foster care children and their families in accordance to the organization, licensing standards, state, and local regulatory requirements.

 Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards 

• Monitor and evaluate program services and quality of care to ensure they are always being provided in compliance with all licensing standards and regulatory requirements
• Oversee and manage the placement process, which includes intake and eligibility, verification, assessment, and referral services
• Ensure all foster care homes meet full licensing requirements
• Develop and implement program service policies and procedures and standards of care to meet organization and licensing standards and meet foster care children and family needs
• Maintain demographic and economic information on service population and service area to ensure the program and program services are meeting the needs of the foster care children and their families; use data to review trends in program services and service population and area
• Oversee and monitor case files to ensure they are current and up-to-date and meet licensing standards and regulatory requirements
• Travel as needed to perform home visits to ensure licensing standards are being met and the well-being and safety of the children

Communication  

• Prepare monthly reports on program services and activities; submit all reporting requirements in a timely manner
• Review, approve, and sign off on all monthly and annual status reports, discharge summaries, and incident reports
• Ensure staff is completing incident reports of suspected exploitation, abuse, or neglect in a timely manner

Fiscal Management

• Demonstrate efforts to manage a budget within budget limits and constraints
• Using statistical data provide monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports of clinical outcomes, personnel costs, operating costs, residential placement, and discharge
• Apply costs to program operations and the return on investment in terms of quality of care

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Teamwork

• Work closely with the Regional Director to verify service needs of the children and their families are being addressed and/or made available
• Serve as an advocate for program services by recommending program improvements and enhancements to meet the needs of the foster care children and their families
• Maintain a caseload, as needed
• Provide emergency and on-call services when needed
• Lead collaborative efforts and activities with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams, staff, and medical and non-medical providers to ensure all foster care children are receiving the quality of services needed to meet their individual treatment and behavior plans

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Develop partnerships with area health and mental health service providers to meet the needs of the foster care children and/or their families
• Develop and maintain positive strong working relationships with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams foster children, foster parents and families, professional service providers, and community partners, while maintaining boundaries always
• Work as member of the management team and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices. Represent the Agency at networking and special events in a positive and professional manner at all times
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Developing & Engaging Others

• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals and achieve operational excellence.
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the Organizational Development and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff

Qualifications

Area Director of Family Services Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• Child Placement Management Staff (CPMS)
• 3 years relevant experience in foster care, child welfare, or adoption
• Valid TX driver’s license and auto insurance coverage
• At least 21 years of age

Area Director of Family Services Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• LCPAA, LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC
• 1 year supervisory or management experience
• Bilingual (English and Spanish based on service area and service population)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of behavior management principles, program development and management, and monitoring techniques
• Strong and effective time management and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities
• Ability to apply sound judgement when making decisions
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people and build strong working relationships
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and delegate tasks
• Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, and vision insurance & more! 
• 403b 
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Gym Memberships 
• Donated Leave Program 
• Emergency Assistance Program

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Driving position
• Position works with children and families
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging 

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.