Job Overview

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Benefits

generous time off
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Extensive Training
Tuition Reimbursement
403(b) Retirement Plan
Disability insurance

Job Description

The Home for Little Wanderers is a venerable child welfare agency with a rich history spanning over 200 years, making it the oldest organization of its kind in America. Dedicated to building stable lives and fostering hopeful tomorrows, this establishment offers more than 25 community-based and residential programs that serve thousands of at-risk youths from birth to age 26. These young individuals often come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect, trauma, or disrupted family environments. The Home for Little Wanderers stands as a sanctuary, providing safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and secure paths toward brighter futures for these vulnerable children and their families.

Joining The Home for Little Wanderers means becoming part of a dedicated team of professionals committed to creating better lives for children and youth. This particular role is focused on supporting parents and caregivers of children and youth with special needs, especially those with significant mental health challenges. Employment with The Home is a full-time opportunity that combines a meaningful career with competitive compensation and a robust benefits package designed to support the well-being of its staff.

The caregiver support position involves working collaboratively under the guidance of the Program Director, Senior Family Partner, and Intensive Care Coordinators, playing a pivotal role in enhancing the ability of parents and caregivers to effectively navigate complex child-serving systems. This includes providing guidance, coaching, education, and continuous support throughout the care planning process to ensure that the needs of the children and youth are met comprehensively.

A significant aspect of this role is one-on-one engagement with families, both within their homes and in community settings, as well as coordination with behavioral health providers and other stakeholders. The caregiver support specialist participates as a member of the Care Planning Team, contributing to clearly defined goals for Family Support and Training Services. Weekly face-to-face home or community visits, along with regular telephone support, form the communication backbone with parents and caregivers. The professional also facilitates connections to other treatment providers and community resources, educating families on how to access necessary support services.

This position requires a commitment to thorough documentation and administrative compliance, including timely completion of daily progress notes and billing in accordance with MassHealth and program requirements. Staff meetings, training sessions, and participation in the primary on-call rotation are integral to the role, ensuring ongoing professional development and team support. Employees must also complete all mandatory training stipulated by The Home and relevant state regulations, reinforcing the agency's commitment to quality and safety.

Candidates who join The Home for Little Wanderers are valued not only for their skills and experience but also for their dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The organization believes that varied perspectives significantly enhance their capacity to serve diverse children, families, and communities effectively, aligning with its mission to foster permanent positive change.

Job Requirements

  • Must have experience as a caregiver/parent of a child or youth with special needs and preferably with significant mental health needs
  • Must have high school diploma or GED with relevant experience or Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in human services
  • Required to operate a vehicle
  • Required to have a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
  • Required to have access to a personal vehicle for work hours
  • Required to use personal vehicle to transport clients occasionally
  • Must maintain minimum liability insurance and current vehicle registration
  • Must complete The Home’s and State training requirements
  • Ability to complete documentation and billing accurately
  • Must maintain caseload as dictated by the program

Job Qualifications

  • Experience as a caregiver/parent of a child or youth with special needs, preferably with significant mental health needs
  • High school diploma or GED with two years experience working with children/adolescents/transition age youth or Associate’s degree in human services with one year experience or Bachelor’s degree in human services with one year experience
  • Knowledge of home communities of families served is preferred
  • Bilingual/bicultural candidates strongly encouraged to apply
  • Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software

Job Duties

  • Assist in the improvement of parent/caregiver ability to navigate child-serving systems
  • Work one-on-one with parents/caregivers to provide guidance, coaching, education, and support
  • Participate as a member of the Care Planning Team and outline Family Support and Training Services goals
  • Work closely with families at home and in community and collaborate with behavioral health providers
  • Conduct weekly face-to-face home or community visits and provide regular telephone support
  • Teach parents/caregivers how to promote linkages with treatment providers and community resources
  • Educate parents/caregivers on navigating child-serving systems and facilitate access to resources
  • Attend staff meetings, present client/family material, and consult on complex family issues
  • Complete daily progress notes and document family interactions as per MassHealth requirements
  • Participate in training, program activities, and on-call rotation
  • Enter billing according to program requirements and maintain caseload

Job Criteria

Experience

No experience required


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