Part-Time Youth & Family Specialist

Ascentria Care 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.

• Demonstrate a human‑centered, strength‑based, trauma‑informed philosophy by treating all clients, families, and collateral contacts with respect and building on their strengths.
• Create trusting, safe relationships with clients and encourage personal growth; advocate for youth needs to ensure equitable and quality care.
• Provide clinical case management across multiple systems, including services for foster children, foster families, and biological families.
• Offer group and/or individual counseling, mediation, and coaching as appropriate to children and their biological and/or foster families.
• Facilitate supervised family visits and provide parent coaching when needed.
• Make independent judgment when assessing and deciding on the best interests of children and families.
• Serve as on‑call staff, responding to crises by phone or in person in a calm, professional manner.
• Facilitate treatment meetings, foster‑care reviews, and inter‑agency collaboration.
• Coordinate dental, medical, psychological, and community support for youth; advocate for special education services.
• Attend all meetings called by collateral contacts and support a team approach to serving children, youth, and families.
• Recruit and support foster families: develop implementation plans, recruit and train homes, prepare parents for matching, maintain relationships with state authorities, and complete required documentation.
• Maintain accurate records and reports: document contacts, incidents, assessments, home studies, service plans, progress notes, court updates, and stay compliant with state/federal standards.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and other required events.
• Complete mandatory training on time, including 20‑30 hours of specialized training each year covering ethics, current practice, and service‑population needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field with 1 year experience (LSW licensure eligibility).
• Experience working with children dealing with social, emotional, or physical challenges.
• Strong mediation and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Proficiency with word processing and computer applications.
• Valid driver’s license with clean record and ability to travel for client needs.
• Ability to use independent clinical judgment and decision making in child‑and‑family best interest.
• Flexible hours and availability for emergencies.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local child‑care regulations and protocols.
• Ability to manage client behavior, foster independence, and maintain perspective and sense of humor.
• Professionalism, compassion, diplomacy, and tact when dealing with people and situations.
• Ability to work independently and manage priorities; organize resources and perform tasks promptly.
• Capacity to handle heavy documentation and travel.

Regularly stand, walk, sit, and communicate. Occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds. Requires visual acuity, hand use, and long periods of sitting. Requires driving own vehicle to multiple sites.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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