Foster and Adoption Church Liaison

Turn your calling into a career at Baptist Children's Homes of NC!OUR MISSION: Sharing hope. changing lives.OUR VISION: To provide the highest quality of Christian services to children, adults, and families in a caring culture of measurable excellence.FOUNDED: November 11, 1885 by John Mills in Thomasville, North Carolina.WHERE WE SERVE: We serve all 100 North Carolina counties and operate locations in 30 communities throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Guatemala.Job Title: Foster & Adoption Church Liaison (state-wide)Location: NC (state wide)Method to Apply: bchcareers.orgSUMMARY

The Foster & Adoption Church Liaison is to perform duties and responsibilities related to the function of the 'Every Child Foster and Adoption Ministry' by working directly with churches to implement and/or grow a foster & adoption ministry in their church body. The liaison will educate church leadership to help them understand the church's role in supporting foster families within their congregation and will inform about the dynamics of foster care and how it will affect their church. The liaison needs to be familiar with agency policy and procedures relating to the foster and adoption program. The liaison needs to be actively in communication with each area director of the foster care ministry as well as the development staff and adoption staff to ensure commuication is consistent across all platforms. The liaison needs to be able to form relationships with our Christian community and provide ongoing support, assistance, resources and training as churches develop foster and adoption ministries for their congregations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Human Services, Religious Services, or related field from an accredited University or Accredited Seminary preferred.
• Five years of experience in Christian Ministries & related adoption/foster experience.
• Valid drivers' license and be able to operate an agency vehicle.
• Must have the capability to manage, plan, organize, develop relationships with individuals, pastors and their fellowship.
• Meets the general qualifications for employment as outlined in the institution's personnel policies.Respects the diversity of children, and strives to create and maintain positive relationships with our foster families, children and constituency.
• Have a knowledge base in regards to the NC Baptist State Convention, churches, and Christian agencies and constituents who involve themselves with Baptist Children's Homes.
• Dynamic public presenter with excellent communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Be able to travel state-wide as the need arises (to be scheduled by the liaison).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with non-traditional hours including nights and weekends based upon the needs of the church.

• Assist church leadership to develops an infrastructure within the church to support a foster/adopt ministry including:
  • Assists in the process of developing a recruitment process for foster parents.
  • Assist the church in developing a support ministry to the foster families.
  • Assists the church in having information meetings with prospective foster families as they make the decision to foster.
  • Meets regularly with church leadership to keep communication/relationship channels open, and to deal with any questions or issues that might arise.
  • Provides training to the church family in regards to how a church foster/adopt ministry works and what is involved in creating and maintain the ministry.
  • Maintains positive relationships and communication with each service area's on-site advocate and/or foster care supervisors and/or regional directors.
  • Do a weekly report for your supervisor sharing churches you are involved in. This report will be shared with the vice president of development to insure she is aware of churches we are working with.
  • Facilitates the delivery of training to assist the church in having a better understanding of trauma, how trauma affects a child's responses to crisis, etc.
  • The liaison needs to have a close relationship with the BCH foster care and adoption teams assigned to the church in order to keep communication open. Sharing of information between the liaison, the church, and the foster care/adoption team(s) is crucial to the success of the program.
  • Meets with Convention Strategists and Catalysts to assist in networking with churches across North Carolina to meet the needs of foster care.
• Meets with supervisor at least monthly to determine priority of need.
• Collaborates with development officers on a regular basis to share updates and ideas.
• Participates in the agency's Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program as needed and requested.
• Respects the diversity of staff members and children in care and strives to create a positive relationship within BCH

• Continually increases knowledge and skills by taking steps necessary to stay in touch with current trends in the field of foster care and adoption.
• Consistently and effectively applies professional knowledge and skills in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.
• Has a body of knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Demonstrates a knowledge level of current trends in the area of services to families and children.
• Develops a pool of external resources for supporting services on an as needed basis.

• Keeps all training records in regard to churches, etc.
• Sends a weekly report to the supervisor in regards to work assignments, progress, plans, etc.

• Prepares for and participates in regular supervisory conferences.
• Participates in 90-day and annual staff performance evaluations.
• Keeps supervisor informed on the current status of total work responsibilities.

• Functions within the guidelines of the job description and the Ministry of Foster & Adoption Services.
• Represents the agency's philosophy, purpose, and programs to groups, individuals, churches, and referral agencies in a professional and objective manner.