The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
School of Social Work has an outstanding job opportunity for Temporary Full Time Retention Support Services Program Manager.
This position is an integral part of the professional development education and training system for public child welfare employees, foster and relative caregivers, and community partners. This training system is a partnership between the University of Washington – School of Social Work, Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, Eastern Washington University – School of Social Work, University of Washington in Tacoma – Social Work Program, and the University of Washington – School of Social Work – Partners for Our Children (the Partnership). The vision of the partnership is to join as one entity to support the readiness and continued learning of foster and relative caregivers and the child welfare workforce with the intention of achieving the best possible outcomes for Washington’s children and families.
The Retention Support Services Program Manager (RSSPM) will be responsible for developing the Retention and Support program, which is a new service for the Alliance continuum of service and is contracted through 6/30/2022, with the potential to be extended for an additional 2 years before being rebid. The goal of the DCYF Retention and Support contract is to assist new foster parents to move through the licensing process in an expeditious manner, and to support current foster parents and relative caregivers to improve retention outcomes, for improved service to children in care. The RSSPM will; oversee program staff and the implementation of the program; meet day to day operational and strategic needs; establish processes for tracking and reporting performance; support the onboarding and training of staff; supervise staff; collaborate with DCYF Licensing Division and other DCYF leadership; develop, implement and document statewide practice for consistent supports and services; develop mentor and volunteer roles and training; develop partnerships with Black, Indigenous and People of Color organizations (BIPOC) to carryout culturally appropriate services; monitor and manage the estimated. $1M annual budget; promote services to the foster parent, relative caregiver community and community partners; provide direct services to caregivers
The Retention Support Services Program Manager works within the partnership to accomplish its vision and values, and works within the framework set out in the partnership's guiding principles. The RSSPM leads a statewide effort to improve outcomes for children in care through timely and efficient foster parent licensure; improving placement stability; reducing placement disruptions; increasing community and cultural connections; promoting diversity and supporting caregivers with a variety of individual and group supports. The RSSPM actively collaborates with DCYF and other community partners to establish and maintain an effective, impactful statewide network of culturally diverse caregiver services. The RSSPM should demonstrate; genuine curiosity, eagerness to listen and to learn from the diverse experience of others; extensive experience and knowledge of the needs of foster parents, relative caregivers and suitable others within the child welfare system; and active engagement with diverse caregiver populations within each community to ensure culturally appropriate services are delivered. Program implementation, staff, contract and volunteer management, data management /reporting, and budget management skills are also needed in this position for this program to be successful. This position will work closely with the Alliance leadership and the UW partnership to build and sustain a dynamic, effective program.
The Retention Support Services Program Manager represents the Alliance and the University Of Washington School Of Social Work to professionals, foster parents, kinship providers, those with lived experience in child and family serving systems, community partners and DCYF. As such, this role must demonstrate experience guiding others to become licensed as foster parents, understand the child welfare system and how to successfully care for high needs children in homes and the community. It is important that this program, administered by the Alliance, show improvement in foster parent retention, as well as increasing foster parent commitment to the family reunification process, which will lead to better outcomes for children in care. Expanding the support provided by the Alliance opens up future opportunities to improve the lives of children, youth and families, throughout the state.
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to;
30% Program Development and Implementation:
Create and implement a statewide program design and implementation plan to include; hiring and training staff; recruiting and training volunteers & mentors; social media and website development; support group scheduling, content and resource creation; FIRST Line protocols and staffing; warm-line needs assessment, protocols and staffing. Participate in RFQQ processes for program contractors as needed. Ensure Retention and Support Specialists (RSS) staff are trained and are able to carry out the program mission. This includes providing foster parent support, staffing the FIRST Line and responding to requests for assistance. Ensure that program records, notes, assessments, service plans and all other required paperwork are completed in an accurate and timely manner. Along with Alliance Leadership, determine and accomplish all program goals.
Help RSS staff working with caregivers to recognize the children/youth family of origin’s strengths and to support them in building relationships between caregivers, children and youth, and family/community of origin. Support RSS staff working with caregiving families to understand the needs of their children; whether nutritionally, physically, socially or emotionally, and to use critical thinking skills to identify and overcome barriers to meeting these needs. Assist staff to assess caregiver family needs, to advocate for the caregiver family, encourage self-direction and provide referral linkages. Whether providing direct service or assigning to program staff, ensure timely responses to foster parent inquiries arriving from the DCYF database. Help RSS staff and contractors to identify, develop and sustain support networks.
30% Leadership and Partnership Development:
Identify and develop partnerships and collegial relationships throughout the state to support foster parents in various stages of experience. Provide vision for the program and services provided to the community and the staff. Work with partners and agency staff to support the cultural needs of caregivers in culturally sensitive ways, to meet Washington State goals for foster parent retention. Design, coordinate, deliver, and assess culturally relevant programing that reflects the experiences of various foster parent communities. Develop innovative strategies that will affect greater participation in programs and activities. Attend DCYF RDS meetings and provide regular communication with DCYF Contracting, Program Managers, the Licensing Division and field operations staff about emerging issues pertaining to caregiver support, the program’s successes and challenges, as well as strategies for overcoming barriers to success. Provide retention education through community groups, training or events; based upon expressed need from the caregiver or DCYF partners. Learn/maintain current knowledge of community resources, while building and sustaining community partnerships, particularly among culturally diverse populations. Represent the Alliance and our partner, DCYF, in a positive and strengths-based manner.
20% Administrative and Financial:
Create and maintain an SOP manual. Oversee all program staff and program implementation for a consistent, statewide delivery of effective mentoring supports and services. Develop a Resource Allocation Plan and set up systems for monitoring costs, setting up subcontracts, securing data transfers to and from DCYF, and create routines for reporting.
15% Evaluation and Reporting:
Set up process to collect and review data for each aspect of the program. Determine and report on progress on program creation, process goals and outcomes. Measure the program’s successes and challenges, and address areas where the program needs additional attention to meet and exceed contract requirements. Provide DCYF with monthly, quarterly and annual reports, which include performance data as well as results of caregiver surveys and community partner feedback. Interpret results of program evaluations and research and apply them towards improved program outcomes. Write and direct the preparation of clear and effective reports and other documents.
5% Other duties as assigned:
Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the alliance Executive Director, Leadership team or direct supervisor.
Requirements:
Master's Degree in Education, Social Work, or related field and at least 2-3 years of relevant work experience. Equivalent experience may substitute for education requirement.
•Experience supporting licensed foster parents and kinship providers •Experience working with risk and at-risk populations •Experience managing and assessing data, reporting and program evaluations; using data/evaluations to drive program improvements •Experience developing and managing child welfare services and programs, with an emphasis on caregiver-related services •Experience working within a child and family service organization or government department serving children and families •Experience in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion practices within a context of community outreach •Working knowledge and experience working with programs that address child safety, permanency and well being and working with families that may have multiple stressors •Knowledge and skills in personnel management, including working with Human Resources, setting standards and expectations, performance planning and evaluations,and supervisory skills. This includes engaging in regular supervision with staff, volunteers, caregiver mentors as others as needed •Ability to approach supervision and program development from a strengths-based perspective and to view caregiver families and families of origin in a family-centered, strengths-based manner •Demonstrated skills in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders and community engagement within diverse communities •Experience building and maintaining volunteer-based services and programs •Demonstrated organizational, oral, written and interpersonal skills •Ability to develop trusting relationships •Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings and at least ine weekend a month •Excellent listening, case management, crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills
Desired:
•Experience working in collaboration with DCYF Licensing Division and other DCYF leadership •Public speaking skills •Experience developing and managing statewide programs and services •Experience working within university-based programs and policies; ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and university administration •Experience managing contracts including monitoring contract performance and addressing performance issues as they arise
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest public institutions in the west coast and one of the preeminent research universities in the world. The University of Washington is a multi-campus university comprised of three different campuses: Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell. The Seattle campus is made up of sixteen schools and colleges that serve students ranging from an undergraduate level to a doctoral level. The university is home to world-class libraries, arts, music, drama, and sports, as well as the highest quality medical care in Washington State and a world-class academic medical center. The teaching and research of the University’s many professional schools provide undergraduate and graduate students the education necessary toward achieving an excellence that will serve the state, the region, and the nation. As part of a large and diverse community, the University of Washington serves more students than any other institution in the Northwest.
