Foster Care Program Director

Program Summary: Child and Family Services (C+FS) Foster Care Program provides temporary, safe, and loving homes for children and supports parents/caregivers in developing the skills they need to achieve family reunification. When reunification is not possible, our program helps secure permanency through adoption. Position Summary: The Foster Care Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of program delivery, policy and procedure development, staff supervision, and compliance with internal and external requirements and expectations. A Typical Day On The Job: While every day can vary, a typical day for the Foster Care Program Director may include: Leading morning check-ins or weekly team meetings to align staff on priorities and ensure coordinated service delivery. Fielding calls or emails from foster parents or the Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) to address concerns, placement needs, or special case situations. Monitoring Microsoft Teams channels for updates and stepping in to provide timely guidance or problem-solving support to staff. Carefully reviewing and approving case documentation, reports, or billing submissions for accuracy and completeness before they are sent to ECDSS or internal departments such as Finance. Coaching team members on documentation standards, timelines, and the importance of attention to detail to avoid errors and duplicative work. Participating in or preparing for multi-disciplinary meetings to ensure program goals are met and staff feel supported in their work. Engaging with leadership and external partners to represent the program and strengthen credibility and confidence in the Foster Care team. Major Responsibilities: Provide overall leadership and direction to the Foster Care and Adoption Program, ensuring delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed care. Supervise and support program managers and supervisors, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and learning. Lead the redevelopment of program policies, procedures, and systems to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with state and county regulations. Monitor program performance, quality, and outcomes using data and stakeholder feedback. Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, including the Erie County Department of Social Services and New York State OCFS. Collaborate with agency leadership and other departments to ensure alignment of Foster Care services with agency-wide goals and practices. Oversee program budget and staffing to ensure resource efficiency and sustainability. Lead the strategic recruitment and retention of foster homes to meet the evolving needs of children entering care. Provide crisis consultation and ensure timely resolution of high-risk situations. Promote a culture of equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the program. Minimum Requirements: Master’s Degree in Social Work or a related human services field required; LMSW or related clinical licensure strongly preferred. At least five (5) years of progressive management experience in child welfare, clinical, or related settings. Demonstrated success in leading programs, teams, and systems through periods of transition or growth. Deep knowledge of child welfare regulations, permanency planning, and trauma-informed care principles. Strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills. Experience with policy development, quality improvement, and program evaluation. Commitment to supporting and developing new professionals and fostering a stable, mission-aligned workforce. Proven ability to build positive relationships with internal teams, foster families, and external stakeholders. Competitive Pay Range of $85,000 to $95,000 based on experience and education. Benefits: Child & Family Services offers full-time employees a range of benefits, including paid time off, holidays, life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, and a 403(b) retirement plan. Child & Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics.

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