Openings

SUMMARY

The Director of Foster Care Services (DFC) provides strategic and operational leadership for the Foster Care program, encompassing Therapeutic Treatment Foster Homes and licensing activities. Reporting to the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), the DFC ensures high quality, trauma-informed care through innovative program design, adherence to regulatory and accreditation standards, and data-driven decision-making. The DFC plays a pivotal role in recruiting foster homes, enhancing program visibility, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders. This position aligns foster care initiatives with AK Child & Family’s mission, values, and strategic goals.

Establishing program direction in family recruitment, support, and training supervising, and guiding the AK Child & Family Foster Care team while fostering a culture of kindness that promotes staff well-being and encourages creative collaboration to assist families. They will be responsible for managing contracts to ensure compliance, data integrity, and alignment of program activities with equity principles and best practices in child welfare, nurturing positive and collaborative relationships with external partners, particularly with the Alaska Office of Children’s Services. Strategically managing the program budget and expenditures; equitably recruiting, hiring, and training a skilled team of dedicated professionals; participating in the leadership team of AK Child & Family.

The role encompasses crucial roles such as obtaining essential funding sources and financial resources to promote growth and sustainability. Additionally, it includes overseeing the program's development to guarantee compliance with state licensing, municipal regulations, and the standards set by The Joint Commission. The Director of Foster Care Services will steer policy formulation and strategic initiatives, emphasizing racial equity, embodying the agency's values, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are recognized. This position also entails leading fundraising initiatives, managing grant applications, and overseeing reporting processes associated with funding opportunities, while fostering collaboration with community partners throughout Alaska.

*All positions at AK Child & Family may have responsibilities altered during the course of employment due to agency imperatives. 

As the only Sanctuary Certified agency in Alaska, we champion the Sanctuary Model, fostering safety and resilience during recovery from adversity.  The Sanctuary model is a blueprint for change, which at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community.  A recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for the Sanctuary Model’s focus not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems who provide those services.

It is made up of a shared language, tools and 7 Commitments:

1. Growth and Change: Embracing continuous learning, resilience, and innovation to build a supportive community that helps students, and their families overcome trauma and create a brighter future.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Awareness of our own and other’s feelings to foster healthy interactions.
3. Social Learning: Sharing and valuing ideas while learning from one another.
4. Social Responsibility: Committing to care for each other, our community and ourselves.
5. Open Communication: Clear, respectful and honest communication.
6. Democracy: Aligning with shared goals and values, respecting and valuing diverse opinions, and encouraging constructive discussion to reach positive solutions.
7. Nonviolence: Physical, emotional, moral, cultural and social safety for others and ourselves.

RESPONSIBILITES

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement strategies to achieve programmatic growth, including recruitment of foster homes and enhancement of service delivery.
  • Oversee Foster Care program operations, ensuring compliance with state licensing, Medicaid, and accreditation standards.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to integrate foster care initiatives into broader organizational goals.
• Recruitment and Community Outreach
  • Lead targeted recruitment campaigns for new foster homes, leveraging marketing, outreach, and relationship-building strategies.
  • Serve as a liaison to community partners, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to promote program awareness and sustainability.
• Operational Oversight
  • Supervise key staff, including the Treatment Foster Care Clinical Supervisor and Community Programs Licensing Supervisor.
  • Ensure the implementation of efficient systems for data management, monitoring performance metrics, and maintaining program quality.
• Fiscal and Resource Management
  • In partnership with the leadership team, including the CFO, develop and monitor the Foster Care program budget.
  • Identify and secure funding opportunities to support program expansion and sustainability.
• Program Development and Compliance
  • Evaluate and implement evidence-based practices, ensuring services align with the Sanctuary Model and trauma-informed care principles.
  • Establish and monitor clear performance measures for staff and program outcomes.
• Leadership and Team Building
  • Cultivate a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Provide professional development opportunities to foster staff growth and retention.
• Data-Driven Innovation
  • Use data to identify trends, improve service delivery, and communicate program outcomes to stakeholders.
  • Develop reports and presentations for internal and external audiences, including the Board of Directors.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, & Vision – with HRA!
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Group Life and AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program

OTHER BENEFITS:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - 13 hours/month in 1st year and then increases
• 2 Floating Holidays/year
• 6 Observed Holidays: double-time pay for working on the Holiday
• Bonuses: Longevity & Referral
• Educational Support Program

PAY:

• $80,000 - $90,000 + DOE
• Bonus in the amount of 1.5% of annual salary after successful completion of 6-month Intro Period and another at the 1-yearanniversary.

• The DFC is supervised by the Chief Clinical Officer
• The Director of Foster Care exhibits strong supervisory and leadership capabilities essential for the effective administration and direction of Therapeutic Treatment Foster Homes programming.
• This individual possesses expertise in grant writing, budget formulation and management, as well as the development of clinical policies.
• Furthermore, the Director demonstrates a robust clinical comprehension of child and adolescent psychopathology alongside Foster Care Services.
• With extensive experience in delivering direct care and coordinated services to the foster care demographic, the Director is well versed in the implications of trauma-informed treatment and is proficient in training and exemplifying these treatment principles.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and supervisory capabilities essential for managing Foster Care programs.
• Expertise in grant writing, budget formulation, and clinical policy development.
• Comprehensive understanding of child and adolescent mental health issues, foster care services, and licensing requirements.
• Proven ability to develop and monitor performance metrics, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in a relevant field (social work, psychology, business administration, performance improvement, or marketing). A clinical license is preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in child welfare, social services, or program administration.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, develop strategic initiatives, and lead diverse teams.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care models and regulatory compliance.

• The Director of Foster Care Services must be able to use a computer and other office equipment, including copiers and telecommunication devices, as well as various software such as spreadsheets and email.
• The DFC must have the ability to utilize a personal vehicle to travel for responsibilities across locations, attend meetings in person or via teleconference, and represent AK Child & Family in the community.
• Travel to conferences and participation in state or national associations may be required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.