Encompass Foster Care Specialist

Eliot Community Human Services; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 23,866 - 33,992; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Eliot Community Human Services is seeking a Foster Care Specialist in Virginia to support foster parents through peer-to-peer mentoring. This role involves engaging foster families, conducting assessments, and assisting with behavioral health needs.

The ideal candidate has at least three years of experience as a foster or adoptive parent, a high school diploma, and transportation. Eliot offers a collaborative environment where employees can grow and make a meaningful impact.

Qualifications

• Must have at least three years of experience as a foster, kinship, or adoptive parent.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Bilingual candidates fluent in a needed language may be eligible for a salary increase.

Responsibilities

• Engage foster parents in peer support services.
• Conduct Protective Factors assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Assist foster parents in accessing services for ongoing behavioral health needs.

Skills

Peer support

Behavioral health knowledge

Communication

Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian/Creole)

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 engaged Foster 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.

Apply today and make a difference.