Part-Time Youth & Family Specialist

AscentriaCare Alliance has been transforming underserved communities for over 150 years, providing a wide range of services to children, families, and seniors across five states. Recognized as one of the largest human services nonprofits in New England and one of the top 100 women-led businesses in Massachusetts, we envision vibrant communities where all individuals have access to resources to support one another to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Primary Responsibilities Youth and Family Support Demonstrate a human centered, strength-based, and trauma informed philosophy by treating all clients, families and collaterals in a non-judgmental and respectful manner while building on their strengths. Create a trusting and safe relationship with the client and encourage personal growth; advocate for the youth’s needs to ensure equitable and quality care. Provide clinical case management working in multiple systems and settings providing services to foster children, foster families and biological families. Depending on level of training, provide group and/or individual counseling and coaching services, mediation and guidance to children and their biological and/or foster families. Facilitate supervised family visits, and provide parent coaching as appropriate. Consistently demonstrate discretion and independent judgment with regard to assessing and making decisions around the best interest for children and families. Undertake the responsibility of “on-call” duty as assigned and is responsive to crises independently either by phone and/or in person, demonstrating a calm and professional approach while assuring safety for all involved. Facilitate treatment meetings/foster care review, and invite the appropriate attendees, while ensuring effective interagency collaboration. Coordinate dental, medical, psychological and community support for youth; ensure that educational needs are met including advocacy for special education services. Attend all meetings called by collaterals and support a team approach to best serve the needs of children, youth and families. Recruitment and Foster Family Support Support and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans for program-specific foster care recruitment in conjunction with foster care recruitment across the Children and Families Service. Recruit qualified foster homes on a continuous basis to meet the growing and challenging needs of clients. Support foster families through the recruitment and training process. Participate in “matching process” and prepare foster parents for their work with the child/youth and family of origin. Promote the program through community networking and positive representation to internal and external committees, government entities, etc. Maintain an excellent relationship with state or private funding sources and other state authorities responsible for regulating foster homes or child placing agencies. Develop and maintain expertise regarding regulatory requirements for foster parent qualification and renewal including record checks, evaluations and updating of file materials. Complete all documentation required by state licensing regulations in a timely manner, including but not limited to home studies, background checks, annual foster care review and waivers. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein to help meet the goals of the program or the agency. Record Keeping, Reporting, Trainings and Meetings Document all contacts and incidents and ensure files are up to date. Develop and complete assessments/homestudies, service plans/tx plans, progress notes and any other necessary documentation. Provide updates to the court both in writing and in person. Maintain organized up to date case/foster care files in accordance with contractual standards, state and federal law. Keep supervisor updated on any incidents or concerns involving clients and foster families. Attend weekly staff meetings and any other meetings or events required by the agency. Complete all mandatory training on a timely basis to meet certification standards, including 20-30 hours of specialized training each year including ethics, current practice and needs of the service population. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field with 1 year experience and LSW licensure eligibility. Ability to work within the Mission of the agency. Significant experience working with children with social/emotional/physical problems desirable. Mediation and conflict resolution skills helpful. Word processing/computer skills. Open to new ideas and desire to grow professionally. Flexibility in thinking and scheduling. Possession of a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Ability to utilize independent sound clinical judgement and decision making with regards to best interest of children and families. Ability to work flexible hours and be available to meet for emergency situations. Ability to effectively manage client behavior, foster independence, and maintain perspective and a sense of humor. Ability to handle people and situations with compassion, diplomacy, and tact. Ability to work independently by setting priorities; organizing resources and effectively performing tasks in a timely manner. Ability to provide documentation such as valid driver's license, evidence of automobile insurance and a clear criminal record check. Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and to problem solve unexpected/unpredictable circumstances calmly. Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, protocols and/or procedures. Ability to travel to meet client needs. Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills. Ability to use independent judgment and discretion; investigate, analyze and draw professional conclusions. Physical/Mental Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Required to sit for long periods. Infrequent light physical effort required. Requires driving own vehicle to various sites. When you join Ascentria, you’re not just taking on a job—you’re stepping into a role that empowers you to grow personally and professionally while contributing to a meaningful mission. Transform lives and communities with Ascentria Care Alliance. Apply today to be a part of our mission-driven Team! Location Lighthouse at Ascentria 18 Chestnut Street Suite 410 Worcester, MA 01608, USA Waltham Office 230 Second Avenue Suite 125 Waltham, MA 02451, USA Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ascentria Care Alliance