CASE MANAGER – FAMILY PRESERVATION PROJECT (Worcester)

Community Legal Aid; Worcester (MA); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer-paid contribution

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Paid leave: 4 weeks vacation, 3 days,

Job summary

Community Legal Aid (CLA) in Worcester, MA seeks a case manager for the Family Preservation Project. Base in CLA's Worcester office with duties including intake, hands-on case management, advocacy with DCF, and coordinating team meetings to support families at risk of foster care involvement.

Ideal candidates are college graduates with MSW/BSW, Spanish fluency preferred, and strong communication. CLA offers a generous benefits package and a hybrid work model requiring in-office presence at least

Qualifications

• College graduate; MSW or BSW strongly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Demonstrated concern for and commitment to the goals of legal aid and to working for low-income people.
• Ability to develop and maintain knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to be part of an interactive, supportive team with high expectations.
• Ability to multi-task, operate independently and problem-solve in real time.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical intakes to determine points of vulnerability and advocacy areas.
• Perform intensive case management with hands-on support accessing community resources and follow-up.
• Advocate with DCF and community organizations to advance clients' needs; support clients during DCF home visits and meetings.
• Facilitate weekly clinical meetings with FPP team members to coordinate support for clients.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Community resources knowledge

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Written and oral communication

Education

MSW or BSW (degree)

Job description

CLA seeks a case manager who will be part of a team helping parents who are involved with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). The goal of the Family Preservation Project (FPP) is to ensure that families get the help they need addressing issues of concern to DCF so that DCF does not remove the children from their home. This project aims to keep children safe with their families, minimize the emotional trauma caused by removal, and allow the foster care system to focus its resources on children who truly need its protection. The case manager will be a member of CLA's interdisciplinary advocacy team and will work closely with a parent advocate and attorney to assist parents in the community. The case manager will be based in CLA's Worcester office and will:

(1) conduct clinical intakes to determine points of vulnerability and areas of advocacy,

(2) perform intensive case management, including providing clients with hands-on support accessing community resources and services, and follow-up with team members and clients on tasks

(3) advocate with DCF and community organizations to advance client's needs, including supporting clients during DCF home visits and other meetings as needed

(4) help facilitate weekly clinical meetings with FPP team members to determine how the team can best support clients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• College graduate. MSW or BSW strongly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Demonstrated concern for and commitment to the goals of legal aid and to working for low-income people.
• Ability to develop and maintain knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to be part of an interactive, supportive team with high expectations.
• Ability to multi-task, operate independently and problem-solve in real time.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

COMPENSATION:

The starting salary for this position is $53,140, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience to a maximum of $84,340. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes:

• 401(k) with employer-paid contribution
• low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents
• paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays)
• relocation stipend.
• CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires staff to work in the office at least three days per week.

Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA has over 180 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and robust outreach to and partnerships with our client communities.