Youth & Family Specialist

About the role

Ascentria Care Alliance is expanding into the Keene/Claremont area and seeks a Youth and Family Support professional to provide clinical case management, crisis intervention, and foster care support in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a human-centered, strength-based, and trauma-informed philosophy by treating all clients, families, and collaterals in a non-judgmental and respectful manner while building on their strengths.
• Provide clinical case management across multiple systems and settings for foster children, foster families, and biological families.
• Serve on-call duty as assigned, responding to crises independently by phone or in person with a calm and professional approach to ensure safety.
• Facilitate treatment meetings and foster care reviews, ensuring effective interagency collaboration and inviting appropriate attendees.
• Depending on training level, provide group and/or individual counseling, coaching, mediation, and guidance to children and their biological and/or foster families.
• Support and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans for program-specific foster care recruitment.
• Engage in the “matching process” and prepare foster parents for their work with children, youth, and families of origin.
• Continuously recruit qualified foster homes to meet the growing and challenging needs of clients.
• Maintain expertise in regulatory requirements for foster parent qualification and renewal, including record checks, evaluations, and file updates.
• Complete all documentation required by state licensing regulations, such as home studies, background checks, annual foster care reviews, and waivers.
• Document all contacts and incidents, ensuring files are up to date and organized according to contractual, state, and federal standards.
• Develop and complete assessments, home studies, service plans, treatment plans, progress notes, and other necessary documentation.
• Provide updates to the court both in writing and in person.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date case and foster care files in compliance with contractual standards, state, and federal law.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field with 2 years' experience working with children and/or families (New Hampshire requirement).
• Valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Ability to pass all required background checks before starting employment.
• Significant experience working with children with social, emotional, or physical challenges is desirable.
• Mediation and conflict resolution skills are helpful.
• Ability to work flexible hours and be available for emergency situations.
• Ability to work independently by setting priorities, organizing resources, and performing tasks in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, protocols, and procedures.
• Ability to travel to meet client needs.

Benefits

• High-quality and affordable health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account for eligible expenses.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Full-service Employee Assistance Program with free and accessible services and supports.
• Generous tuition reimbursement for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off that increases with tenure, plus holidays for work-life balance.
• Supportive workplace culture valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all voices are heard and respected.