Comprehensive Foster Care Worker - Andover

Job Description

Job Description

About the Program

Comprehensive Foster Care - We ensure children across Massachusetts have safe, loving foster homes. In a state and a nation where every child is supposed to have a fair shot at success, we seek to lead the charge and deliver on this promise for one of the most systemically marginalized groups of young people — children and youth experiencing foster care.

We are the largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive foster care in Massachusetts. We recruit, train, and support loving foster homes. And we ensure that the children and teens in our care receive the resources, supports and opportunities that they deserve.

Who We Are Looking For

HopeWell's acclaimed Comprehensive Foster Care and Support and Stabilization Program is seeking a passionate change-maker to join our dedicated team. We're looking for an exceptional CFC Worker who brings heart, determination, and a strengths-based approach to supporting families in our community.

The ideal candidate thrives in adaptable environments and possesses a versatile skill set to navigate complex family dynamics, while supporting various treatment goals, including permanency planning and safe family reunification. If you're ready to make a profound impact and help write success stories for the families we support, we want to meet you.

The Impact You'll Create

In this dynamic role, you'll provide transformative support through our community-based programming, working directly with children, adolescents, and families referred by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). You'll be at the forefront of creating meaningful connections and implementing innovative interventions that lead to lasting positive outcomes.

The CFC Worker is a member of the child/family team, collaborating internally with HopeWell Family Resource team members, Clinical and Supervisory staff, as well as with DCF in a shared vision using a child-centered, family-focused, trauma-informed approach. CFC workers do this by providing therapeutic interventions, advocacy, counseling, guidance, and community connections. CFC workers carry caseloads of children, foster youth and families based on the needs of the program. CFC workers are responsible for ensuring child safety and well-being, in accordance with HopeWell and DCF policies and DEEC regulations.

Your Impact Will Include (Job Responsibilities)

• Conduct in-person community-based visits with children and families at least weekly or more frequently as needed based on policy and/or demands
• Conduct ongoing assessments and evaluations of children’s and families’ strengths, progress, and needs
• In conjunction with the treatment team, develop a strengths-based written treatment plan for each child or family, outlining specific goals and interventions
• Maintain case files and documentation for children and families in accordance with state regulations and agency policies
• Collaborate with DCF when providing services for youth experiencing foster care to provide support and consultation to the biological families of foster children to enhance the child’s relationship with family members. Encourage regular contact and visitation between children and family members as indicated in the case plan. Seek to involve family members in plans and decisions regarding the child.
• Collaborate and maintain collegial relationships with DCF, community organizations, and service providers as appropriate
• Attend all necessary meetings, including but not limited to Foster Care Reviews, treatment planning meetings, and intake and discharge planning meetings
• Provide transportation for children to visits, appointments, court, meetings, etc. as needed
• Participate in after-hours on-call system on a rotating basis. This may occasionally include emergency in-person response outside of business hours
• Conduct file reviews to monitor compliance with EEC regulations
• Provide all pertinent paperwork, receipts, and necessary information to ensure timely and accurate processing of billing, reimbursements, client support expenses, purchases, etc.

The Expertise We Can't Do Without (Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, counseling, marriage and family, or related health and human service field required
• Minimum of one year’s experience providing case management and/or therapeutic services to children, adolescents and families, ideally in a community setting
• Eligible for obtaining minimally a Massachusetts Social Work License (LSWA, LSW) required within 1 year of employment, or another state issued license (LCSW, LICSW, LSMHC, LMHC, LMFT) is acceptable

Additional Skills That Set You Apart (Competencies)

• Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills
• A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts, presents to others as organized, informed, reliable, dependable, and approachable
• Able to work independently as well as be a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Proficient in basic computer skills and Microsoft Office. Ability to navigate and document in clinical computerized patient care records.
• Ability to work in predominantly home-based and community-based settings where there may be possible environmental exposures, including pets.

Other Essential Requirements

• Clearing of background checks as required by state and federal law
• A valid MA State Driver’s License and access to a vehicle are required
• Remain current in all DCF, DEEC, and agency-required trainings
• Maintain state-issued licensure in accordance with board standards
• Staff schedules can shift over time as youth needs, staff caseloads, and program needs change
• Some evening and weekend work as well as occasional in-person emergency response outside of business hours may be required
• Other duties as assigned to support quality care

The HopeWell Difference – Benefits Beyond the Paycheck

• Generous Hiring Bonus
• We offer a generous bilingual bonus to new hires who speak a second language that meets that needs of our families (other than English) – up to $3,500
• Access to our excellent BCBS medical benefits
• Retirement benefits, including 401K match up to 6%
• Generous paid time off up; up to 5 weeks off; 2 floating holidays, 2 personal days, 14 paid holidays, up to 15 sick days
• Professional development opportunities such as tuition reimbursement up to $3,000 per year and discounted tuition rates to select partnership colleges and universities! Additional funds for training and development.
• Reimbursement is available for employees to cover the registration costs and annual fees for any professional license required for work! As well as bonuses for licensure attainment
• Wellness benefits include access to employee resource groups, discounted gym memberships, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Student Loan Pay-Down Program – Let us help you pay down your student loans!
• Licensure supervision
• And more…Click this link to find out more about our benefits beyond the paycheck!