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Description
Job Description
The Department of Children and Families seeks dedicated child welfare professionals who are committed to upholding the Department's fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. The Department's vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education. DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning.
The Foster Care Support Manager is a strategic function in the placement and permanency service operations that are under the management of the Director of Foster Care. This critical managerial role supports the Director of Foster Care in monitoring the delivery of services to over 6,000 children in the care and custody of DCF placed in departmental foster homes and contracted foster homes. Under the direction of the Director of Foster Care Support Services, provides leadership, clinical consultation, and technical assistance to all levels of managers and social workers in the field, as well as oversight to contracted foster care provider agencies.
GENERAL DUTIES:
1) Provides statewide oversight, clinical and technical assistance to Foster Care and Recruitment Supervisors, staff, and Area Program Managers to ensure compliance with Departmental policy, procedures and protocols in the licensing/relicensing of foster and adoptive homes.
2) Provide trainings and assist in the implementation of Foster Care policies, programs and practice development strategies.
3) Assist Regional and Area Offices in preparing for Licensing by the Department of Early Education & Care.
4) Assist the Director of Foster Care Support Services and other Central Office staff on recruitment and retention issues, both statewide and at the area level.
5) Assist Regional and Area Office staff in establishing and maintaining collaboration with resources in the community.
6) Assist Regional and Area Office staff in promoting diversity by recognizing and responding to the needs of foster parents from different cultural, ethnic, and racial communities.
7) Updates and maintains family resource-related content on Mass.gov
8) Provide support and technical assistance on special projects as directed.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:
- In collaboration with Foster Care Director and Regional/Area Office Managers, conducts periodic evaluation of practice quality and efficiency and ensures that issues are promptly addressed, and appropriate systemic changes/adjustments are recommended for timely resolution.
- Develop a communication plan with Regional/Area Office Managers and Supervisors to support consistent practice and implementation of new strategies, updates and compliance oversight.
- Stay current with best-practice trends and policy in foster care to contribute ideas of enhancements within current model.
SYSTEMIC DUTIES:
- Attend and provide feedback for agenda items for the quarterly Statewide Foster Care Supervisor meetings.
- Attend regional Foster Care Leadership meetings. Provide feedback for agenda items when applicable.
- Maintain consistent contact and attend meetings with the staff of the various contracted provider agencies.
- Ensure consistent distribution and utilization of data reports to support best-practice, problem-solving and accountability.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Knowledge of DCF Regulations, policies and practices.
• Knowledge/experience with family resource activities.
• Knowledge/experience of the adoption and foster home approval process.
• Knowledge/experience in use of i-FamilyNet.
• Knowledge/experience in use of Microsoft Office applications.
Please ensure that you attach a resume with your application submission to this requisition.
A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit
hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at and select option #4.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
