Therapeutic Foster Care Specialist - Jackson, MS

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi's most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children's behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and our communities deserve our very best

Canopy has been designated a Great Place to Work for the fifth consecutive year and is one of only nine companies in Mississippi to qualify for this certification in 2025-2026. Canopy's employees are charged with building a healthy work culture within their teams, that focus on trust, and the collective goal of helping kids thrive and families to overcome extraordinary challenges.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive Compensation
• 403b Retirement Plan with Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• PTO/Vacation
• Employee Wellness Program and Counseling Services

Position Overview

The Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Specialist is responsible for helping recruit, license, and coordinate routine home visits and training of Therapeutic Foster Parents for the TFC Solution. The TFC Specialist plans and promotes marketing activities and events for therapeutic foster parent recruitment and coordinates recruitment activities with the Director of Family Support Solutions. Additionally, they help assess the needs of children and youth referred to Canopy's TFC solution, seeking to help place therapeutic level children into best fit scenarios with Canopy's TFC Foster Families (Resource Homes). The TFC Specialist helps provide on-going support, consultation, feedback, and functions as a content matter expert for their foster families and children. The TFC Specialist is also responsible for maintaining and documenting all required calls, home visits, training, support groups, and licensing requirements for the TFC families and children on their case load. The TFC Specialist also audits active and closed TFC Foster Parent files for compliance with all applicable standards and completes and submits solution reports as needed/required by Canopy and our licensing bodies.

Job Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Recruit and coordinate licensing of Foster Parents for Canopy's Therapeutic Foster Care solution.
• Plan and promote marketing activities and events for therapeutic foster parent recruitment. Coordinate recruitment activities with colleagues and supervisor.
• Assess the needs of children and youth referred to the TFC solution prior to placement. Additionally, re-assess the needs of both children and TFC families upon placing a child in a TFC environment. Seek to support TFC families and utilize community resources to assist in meeting their needs.
• Assist with interviews, respond to referral requests in a timely manner, and work to appropriately place therapeutic youth with prospective TFC families where a healthy fit is identified.
• Provide required contacts with Therapeutic Foster Care families and document contacts in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Organize and assist with routine foster parent support groups.
• Organize and monitor initial and ongoing training for TFC families.
• Audit active and closed Foster Parent files for compliance with all applicable standards.
• Complete and submit required program reports.
• Have face to face contact with TFC families at least (2) times per month, with at least (1) of the two (2) contacts made during a home visit.
• Prepare and submit monthly billing requests/related reports to accounting department for the provision of services.

Assist the TFC Supervisor with:

• Prepare and submit monthly billing requests/related reports to accounting department for the provision of services.
• Provide linkage, referral and consultation to/with all agencies, organizations and stakeholders having a direct interest and involvement with the child and/or the family in care.
• Maintain on-call availability for the TFC families on caseload, as needed.

Assist the TFC professional staff with:

• Coordinating and processing new admits to the program.
• Providing linkage, referral and consultation to/with all agencies, organizations, and stakeholders having a direct interest and involvement with the youth and/or the family in care.
• Share on-call duty with other program staff and provide crisis intervention services as needed and within the scope/limitations of demonstrated current competency.
• Assist with transportation for youth/families when necessary to meet important needs that would otherwise go unmet.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Be familiar with all emergency procedures, remain current with all required in-service training, and obtain and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Responsible for sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in the agency/program service population.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a bachelor's degree in social work or related field
• Must be Licensed in Social Work (LSW minimum required)
• Must have at least one (1) year of documented experience and/or training in working with children with special behavioral/emotional needs and their families and/or other caregivers
• Experience working with groups and/or in group settings (e.g., support groups, training)
• Demonstrated competence in writing program materials, completing reports/assessments, and assisting with preparation of reimbursement documents
• Proficient computer skills required
• Must have experience with general marketing of programs and services to select groups
• Must be at least 23 years of age
• Must have a valid Mississippi driver's license, a good driving record, and proof of legally appropriate auto liability insurance