Encompass Foster Care Specialist

Eliot Community Human Services; Danvers (MA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

Retirement Savings

Wellness & Family Support

Financial Security

Professional Growth

Job summary

Eliot Community Human Services, Inc. is seeking a Foster Care Specialist in Danvers, MA to support foster families through peer mentoring, education, and stabilization services. The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice and collaboration with DCF referrals through the Encompass program.

The ideal candidate has personal foster parenting experience, a high school diploma, and a valid driver’s license. FLEXIBLE Monday–Friday schedule, total 20 hours per week, with potential for growth and

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience as a foster, kinship or adoptive parent for DCF.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for community-based services.
• Bilingual candidates fluent in a needed language may qualify for a salary increase.

Responsibilities

• Engage foster parents in peer support services and activities including in-person visits, collateral contacts, and group services.
• Maintain professional boundaries when sharing personal fostering experiences and guidance.
• Conduct Protective Factors assessments and develop individualized treatment plans, with quarterly reevaluations.
• Assist foster parents in addressing barriers to services and connecting with community resources.
• Support foster parents in building skills to meet behavioral health needs of children.

Skills

Foster parent experience

Driver's license

Bilingual ability

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Job description

Join Eliot – A Place to Belong, Grow, and Inspire Change

At Eliot, your work has purpose. You’ll be part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. We foster an inclusive workplace where all backgrounds and perspectives are valued, creating a culture of belonging and professional growth.

Benefits at Eliot

We prioritize your well-being, work-life balance, and career growth. Benefit eligible positions include:

• Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
• Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Retirement Savings – 401(k) with employer match
• Wellness & Family Support – Discounted fitness services and access to trusted childcare resources
• Financial Security – 100% company-paid life and accidental death insurance
• Professional Growth – Ongoing training, career advancement programs, tuition reimbursement, and leadership development

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), a division of Elliot, is actively seeking an engagedFoster Care Specialist to work with foster parents. The Encompass program is a Department of Children and Families (DCF) referral-based service that leverages peer-to-peer mentoring to provide support, education, and stabilization for foster families. We assist caregivers who are navigating a growing level of need or crisis in their homes, as well as those who may benefit from training, education, and support on foster parenting through a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma.

The ideal candidate will be able to leverage their own experience as a foster parent with helping new or existing foster parents with challenges and providing support they need.

Responsibilities:

• Engage the foster parent(s) in peer support services and activities according to the program model of in-person visits, collateral contacts, case conferences, and virtual group services.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when sharing personal experiences as a foster parent, including best practices, lessons learned, and effective interventions to establish relationships and deliver identified services.
• Conduct Protective Factors assessments and develop individualized treatment plans with foster parent(s) related to identified family needs, and DCF service request information.; reevaluate treatment plans a minimum of every three months.
• Assist the foster parent(s) in addressing barriers to accessing services for ongoing behavioral health needs and community resources for the child(ren) placed in their home.
• Assist the foster parent(s) with building skills to meet the behavioral health needs of children placed in their home, through education, support, coaching, modeling, and guidance.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Must have at least three years of experience as a foster, kinship or adoptive parent for the Department of Children and Families.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from work and for providing community-based services.
• Bilingual candidates fluent in a needed language may be eligible for a 6% salary increase(Spanish or Haitian/Creole)

Schedules:

• Flexible Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (total 20 hours per week)

Hourly Rate

$21 - $21 USD

At Eliot, we are committed to supporting you at every stage of your career, providing opportunities for growth, purpose, and community. We foster belonging in the workplace by identifying and removing barriers that may prevent individuals of all backgrounds from reaching their full potential, advancing into leadership roles, and fully engaging at all levels of the organization.