Family Resource Worker

Join Our Mission to Transform Lives 

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 program is seeking a passionate Family Resource Worker to join our dedicated team. We're looking for an exceptional professional who brings heart, determination, and a child-centered, family-focused, trauma-informed approach to supporting foster families and the children in their care. 

The ideal candidate thrives in adaptable environments and possesses a versatile skill set to navigate complex family dynamics, recruit and support foster families, and ensure compliance with state regulations. If you're ready to make a profound impact in the lives of foster families and the children they care for, we want to meet you. 

 The Impact You'll Create 

In this dynamic role, you'll be at the heart of our foster care program, working directly with foster families, children, and adolescents in partnership with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). You'll be instrumental in recruiting, training, and supporting foster parents who provide loving, stable homes for children in need. 

The Family Resource Worker is a vital member of the child/family team, collaborating internally with HopeWell CFC team members, Clinical and Supervisory staff, as well as with DCF. Family Resource Workers apply a child-centered, family-focused, trauma-informed approach by providing and maintaining strong relationships with foster parents and youth through advocacy, guidance, and community connections. You'll carry caseloads of foster parents and be responsible for ensuring child safety and well-being, as well as quality foster care in accordance with HopeWell policies, DCF policies, and DEEC regulations. 

Your Impact Will Include (Job Responsibilities) 

• Maintain case files and documentation for children, foster families and biological families in accordance with state regulations and agency policies.
• Audits foster parents’ files monthly to ensure compliance with all regulatory, contractual, corporate, and legal requirements.
• Visit with foster parents monthly to provide support, one-on-one education and oversight within the home and as needed based on policy and/or clinical needs.
• Connects with youth in the home and their social worker to ensure that they are receiving optimal care and support
• In conjunction with the DCF, provide support and consultation to the foster parents 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 with DCF, community organizations and service providers as appropriate.
• Recruit, screen, study, approve and monitor foster homes to ensure safe, quality care and compliance with policies. 
• Conducts foster parent home study evaluations inclusive of training support plans. Completes monthly report making recommendations to management for follow-up, licensing or de-certification of a foster home.
• Participate in the coordination and implementation of a training schedule for youths, foster parents, and caregivers.
• Assist with recruitment events, appreciation celebrations, group activities, and any other HopeWell events. 
• Participate in after hours on-call system to include routine 48-hour visits, emergency response, hospital coverage, and unexpected needs that arise.
• Conduct children’s and foster parents’ file reviews to monitor compliance with EEC/DCF HopeWell regulations.
• Maintain and submit required reporting logs as requested by Central Office.
• Facilitate support group and training for foster parents as needed. Maintains appropriate records in compliance with funding source requirements.
• Supports foster parent retention programs. Records and maintains the statistics necessary to measure the effectiveness of various foster parent retention efforts.
• In conjunction with FRSM, coordinates foster parent appreciation efforts and continuing education meetings to ensure compliance with required education hours.
• In conjunction with FRSM, responsible for the coordination of training for all currently certified foster parents, including MAPP training and on-going training.
• Compiles and distributes monthly listing of local community activities and resources to foster parents inclusive of newsletter.
• Supports training efforts and participates in the training of foster parents on issues and topics specific to short/term emergency placements and transitions. 
• Knowledge of best practices in child welfare.
• Can be assigned to work with youth as a Comprehensive Foster Care social worker based on program needs which can include supporting transportation efforts

The Expertise We Can't Do Without (Qualifications) 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, counseling, or related health and human service field required. Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of one-years' experience providing case management and/or counseling services to children, adolescents and families preferred
• 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 oral and written communication skills, professional demeanor, 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
• Ability to be proactive, identify problems and offer solutions
• High level accuracy and personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• Detail oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of families from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds
• Knowledge of best practices in child welfare
• Proficient in basic computer skills and Microsoft Office. Ability to navigate and document in clinical computerized patient care records
• Ability to work in predominantly homebased and community-based settings where there may be possible environmental exposures including pets 
• Must be able to remain mobile throughout the workday, including walking between locations, using stairs, and lifting or moving materials as needed.

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 is 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 program needs, staff caseloads, and foster family 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