Family Specialist Initial Licensing

RISE is an innovative human services network originally established in 1987 for the purpose of moving individuals living in institutions into family settings. Since that time, services have grown to support children, adults, and families with a variety of needs across multiple states that include residential settings, day programs, employment assistance, managed care, and home and community based services. Since inception, our purpose and mission has remained constant. We create opportunities for and with the people we serve, their families, and for the men and women who work in the direct care profession.

RISE believes that most individuals, no matter how unique their needs, are more successful when they are living in a family setting. Unfortunately, some children and adults are unable to live with their own family, permanently or even temporarily, and are in need of a place they can call home.

RISE FAMILY SERVICES specializes in finding and supporting loving and caring families for children and adults in need of foster and/or adoptive homes. RISE provides support through many different programs. Through the Family Services Program we recruit, train, prepare, support and mentor individuals and families to provide stable homes for children in the custody of Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS).

We are recruiting to hire an Initial Licensing - Family Specialist to assist families in the foster/adoption licensing process. This position will be based out of our Mesa, AZ office location. The Initial Licensing - Family Specialist provides services and support to Resource Parents through the implementation of RISE's mission, vision and values statement of Creating Opportunities for and With People and maintaining compliance with all company and state contract regulations and policies.

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist new families through initial licensing or certification process, including compliance with all requirements, documents, and completion of an objective home study
• Complete all licensing documents and submit final application within required timeframes: Complete Initial applications, Renewal applications, Amendments and Adoption certifications in a timely and professional manner, utilizing effective written communication skills
• Actively support licensed families; this position will be responsible for a small caseload of licensed families as needed.
• Perform required home visits and maintain documentation in a standardized file format, adhering to agency and state confidentiality guidelines and laws.
• Maintain professional support and relationship with families, while ensuring compliance with all licensing requirements, RISE Inc. policies and foster home expectations for safety and care of placements in the home.
• Advocate for children and adults in RISE licensed homes, through contact with case managers, support coordinators, including representation at court hearings, foster care review board, team meetings, staffings, etc.
• Actively seek placement for children and adults in need of homes that can best serve their needs
• As necessary, provide mediation and intervention techniques, training on the Child Welfare Act, MEPA-IEPA, and ICWA
• Ensure families have access to crisis and emergency support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, through rotation of an Emergency cell phone and In Day assignment
• Be flexible to meet the needs of the families served, including possible evenings
• Submit required billing documents in a timely manner, and review monthly billing for accuracy
• Special projects or duties as assigned

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree from a university or college and have training and/or experience in the field of behavioral science, human services, or similar area
• Must have verbal and written communication skills adequate to the specific job task required and communicate effectively in individual or group situations including demonstrating listening skills
• Able to communicate with multiple customers including the people receiving support, professional parents, advisors, natural parents, state personnel and others
• Education and/or experience related to the service provided, including the ability to relate to families of varied lifestyles, backgrounds, and ethnicities
• Experience with cultural diversity, assessing a family’s strengths and weaknesses, knowledge of child abuse, neglect and child development, and a working knowledge of the Arizona Department of Child Safety and programs 
• Appropriate telephone etiquette and skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing using accurate grammatical form and able to read and interpret written information
• Ability to write objective home studies, maintain accurate documentation, and interpret policies and licensing regulations
• Language ability (other than English) may be required to meet specific needs of people receiving support
• Knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office suite software systems
• Ability to work flexible hours to travel as needed
• Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license, minimum of twenty-one years of age and meet driver requirements as specified by RISE Insurance Agency
• Must be able to complete a successful background check, drug screen test and obtain a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card

***This position requires a passion to assist families and children in the foster care system!***

If you meet the qualifications on this posting and are interested in joining an amazing team that contributes in making a difference, apply online and include your resume and a cover letter with your application.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or hiring process, please submit your request through one of the following methods listed below:
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY
(a) Dedicated fax 866-268-8885
(b) Dedicated email hrdept@riseservicesinc.org DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY
(c) US mail - 4554 E Inverness Ave Mesa, AZ 85206- Attn Human Resources
(d) Dedicated phone 1-866-242-2714 Option 1 (Employment Opportunities)

RISE is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We embrace diversity in all its form. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.