SAFE Certified Home Study Writer

Are you interested in working with a company that values people and has a passion for service?  Do you want to become part of an organization that cares about your personal and professional growth?   If you have answered YES to these questions, then you should consider working for Maple Star! 

Maple Star Colorado is a multi-service agency providing Foster Care, Clinical and Community Services. Maple Star began providing foster care in Denver in 1994 and has since grown to provide in-home, community and office based services throughout the Front Range.  Our trauma informed approach to working with children and families is evidenced is all of our programs with a focus on healing, relationship and providing high quality client care.

Maple Star’s team is known for its professionals who are committed to providing quality services, and is looking for compassionate staff to assist in the process of providing quality programming to individual clients and families. All job objectives should be completed according to agency standards and policies as outlined in the Maple Star Employee Handbook and state Rules and Regulations.

Brief Job Summary:  The SAFE Home Study Provider will complete Home Studies for County prospective foster, adoptive, kinship and ICPC families as assigned by Regional Director.

Outline of Essential Job Duties:

1. Complete SAFE Home Studies for prospective County foster, foster to Adopt, Kinship and ICPC families utilizing the SAFE format.  All SAFE home studies will include structured questionnaires, interviews, assessment guides, structured family references, and the pre-formatted home study report. Provider will use the most current SAFE home study format / SAFE home study desk guide which are required by the Colorado Department of Human Services.
2. Respond to emails and/or phone calls from Regional Director regarding assignment of Home Study within 24 business hours.  Failure to reply in a timely fashion may result in the home study being referred to another provider.
3. Review all information provided by Regional Director related to assigned home study and notify of any deficiencies or questions.
4. Communicate directly with county caseworkers for child specific home studies, with the exception of ICPC Home Studies (discussed in #12).
5. Provide completed home study to Regional Director or designated Home Study supervisor  for review within required timeframes prior to presenting to family for final review and signature.  All Home Studies are to be submitted electronically. 
6. Participate as requested with a County representative in a face-to-face meeting with the applicant family, should the study conclude with a recommendation against placement of a child in the applicant family home.
7. Discuss with the family any and all concerns that arise during the study process as they relate to recommendations.
8. Verbally inform the family of the recommendation being made to the Department regarding certification, kinship care or adoption.
9. Inform family members they will be active participants in the development of the SAFE home study report and they will be able to read a copy of their SAFE home study report, arranged by the home study provider.
10. Be available by telephone or in person for Certification Review Team.
11. Participate in supervision in person or by phone at least one time per month.
12. Home study updates for ICPC cases shall be completed upon request of the County.  For expedited ICPC home studies, completed studies are due to the County within thirty (30) days of assignment and the receipts of a completed documentation packet presented to the home study provider.  Timeline for submission to Regional Director for review and approval to be determined at time of assignment.
13. Complete all referred home studies unless the prospective family voluntarily withdraws their application or the County requests closure of the home study process. 
14. Immediately notify Regional Director if any circumstance arises which may prevent the Home Study Provider from completing the assigned home study within the time frames outlined above.
15. Maintain complete account of hours on Maple Star time sheet, to be submitted to Regional Director on a monthly basis according to payroll schedule.  Payment will be made on the first of the month for all Home Studies completed and approved in the previous month.
16. Notify Regional Director if hours that are scheduled to be worked  in a week will be in excess of 35 hours.  All hours in excess of 35 hours must be approved in advance by the Regional Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

1.              Completed 2 day SAFE Home Study Training and is in possession of SAFE certificate (please note that applicants without this certificate will not be considered)

2.              Knowledge of Volume 7 Regulations related to completion of home studies for foster, foster to adopt, kinship and ICPC homes.

3.              Knowledge and use of Microsoft applications and basic computer skills. 

4.              Knowledge and use of fax machine, phone, copier, and other office equipment.

Other Requirements:

1.         Must be willing to submit for fingerprinting and a background criminal check.

2.         Background criminal check must meet the Colorado State Department of Social Services requirements for personnel working in the child welfare system. 

3.         Valid Colorado Driver's License and a clean motor vehicle record.