Fostering Further’s mission is to support foster families, children in the foster care system and emancipating youth, show appreciation to foster caseworkers and create a healthy, supportive relationship between community members and those involved in foster care in central Ohio.
The Starting Strong Programs of Fostering Further provide practical support to young adults, ages 18-24, who have aged out of foster care. These practical supports include Hope Landing transitional apartments, the Learn to Drive, Learn to Thrive Program, and Adulting 101 classes. In addition to practical support, we attempt to create positive relationships, create community connections and provide guidance regarding basic life skills such as navigating healthcare systems, employment, and more.
Purpose: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Starting Strong Program Director will be responsible for managing and coordinating the support available through the Starting Strong Program, as defined below.
Status: Full-time, Exempt – 40 Hours per Week
The nature of this position may require some flexibility in scheduling. Qualified candidates must possess the maturity to be flexible to meet the needs of the young adults we serve while also being able to set personal boundaries to ensure the health and safety of their own family and personal mental and emotional health.
Essential Functions:
I. General Responsibilities:
- Assess the needs of the young adult to determine the appropriate support that we can offer them, as well as what other community resources should be utilized.
- Build rapport and establish trust with the young adults. This is crucial to the success of our programs.
- Though Fostering Further does not provide crisis services, you may need to be available outside of regular business hours to respond to situations related to the young adults at Hope Landing. You will need to establish healthy boundaries regarding communication.
- Using the Fostering Further vehicles, provide (or coordinate with volunteers) reasonable transportation as needed for interviews, medical appointments, groceries, etc.
- Be an active listener when young adults need to talk.
- Be a cheerleader! Celebrate accomplishments, birthdays, and milestones so these young adults know their place in this world is important and they are worth celebrating.
II. General Program Management:
- Schedule and meet with the Starting Strong Advisory Committee. This committee discusses the operations of the Hope Landing apartment building, addressing tenant matters, new applicants, and other Starting Strong programming considerations.
- Facilitate connections between the Starting Strong program participants and our contracted mental health resources.
- Manage volunteer relations, including recruitment, retention, and scheduling.
III. Agency Support
- Work collaboratively with the other community agencies. Those agencies include Licking County Job & Family Services, National Youth Advocate Program, which operates the Bridges program, and others.
IV. Hope Landing:
- Manage the new tenant application process including in person interviews and reference checks.
- Meet with the tenants regularly to develop a positive, supportive relationship.
- Document action plans and compliance with policies. Encourage tenants to participate in all Starting Strong programming.
- Manage relationships and coordination with our Hope Partners (organizations who sponsor apartment units) for unit turnover and maintenance.
- Oversee building facilities, maintenance, security, and utilities.
V. Adulting 101:
- Develop monthly independent living topics and curriculum.
- Extend personal invitations to young adults engaged with the Starting Strong programs as well as advertise classes to local agencies, etc.
- Coordinate with a lead volunteer and the operations manager for program logistics including scheduling guest speakers, food and logistics, and transportation for attendees if necessary.
VI. Learn to Drive, Learn to Thrive:
- Manage program participants application and progress on obtaining their drivers licenses.
- Assist in coordinating and scheduling driver training.
- Participate in driving instruction and/or manage coordination with volunteers.
VII. Other:
- Assist with fundraising activities and community events.
- Support other programming under the Foster Support Program.
Qualifications:
- Passionate commitment to Fostering Further’s mission.
- Ability to meet people where they are and develop rapport with the youth.
- While not required, preference may be given to candidates who meet one or more of the following criteria: hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a closely related field; possess active licensure as a social worker (LSW or LISW) or counselor (LPC or LPCC); or have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.
- Respectful in communication and interaction with young adults.
- Organized; collaborative; creative problem-solving skills; ability to multi-task
- Ability to work independently.
- Solid written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to develop effective work plans, organize details, set priorities and meet deadlines.
Fostering Further is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
