Foster Care Community Outreach Manager

Language Bank; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer-

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off & holidays

DEI culture

Job summary

Ascentria Care Alliance is seeking a Community Outreach Manager to lead family and volunteer recruitment across Foster Care and Adoption programs. You will supervise staff, collaborate with community leaders, and align outreach with regulatory guidelines to expand permanency options for children and youth.

You will develop strategies, partner with state authorities, and ensure training and awareness across the community to build a strong volunteer and foster family network in Massachusetts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required; masters preferred in marketing, public relations, human services or related field.
• Minimum of two years supervisory experience.
• Experience in understanding child welfare systems and community relations work.
• MAPP TOT certification to be obtained within six months of hire with agency support.
• Valid Driver’s License and positive driving record to transport families across MA.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office; FamilyNet/Virtual gateway experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a calm, energetic and positive presentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic marketing plan for family and volunteer recruitment and retention across programs.
• Oversee development of a marketing and communication strategy to recruit qualified volunteers and families.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with leaders in community settings for recruitment.
• Consult with Managers to assess program needs and community needs.
• Work with service teams for recruitment and retention of families and volunteers; identify barriers and implement inclusive methods.
• Oversee awareness, education and training to prepare families and volunteers for caring for children/teens.
• Coordinate and participate in special events to recruit families and volunteers.
• Update materials with the Marketing Department as needed.
• Recruit and develop qualified families/volunteers to meet growth targets and manage resources effectively.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Excellent communication skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Driver’s license

FamilyNet/Virtual gateway

Education

Bachelor degree

Masters preferred in Marketing, PR, Human Services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

FamilyNet/Virtual gateway

Job description

Help us Build a Thriving New England!

Ascentria Care Alliance has been transforming underserved communities for over 150 years, providing a wide range of services to children, families, and seniors across five states. Recognized as one of the largest human services nonprofitsin New England and one of the top 100 women-led businesses in Massachusetts, we envision vibrant communities where all individuals have access to resources to support one another to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

Summary

The Community Outreach Manager provides leadership by supporting the mission of the program and agency as well as in overseeing the operations of community outreach/awareness and the recruitment and development of foster parents and volunteers across the Children and Family programs including Adoption, Unaccompanied Refugee Minor, Division of Children’s Services, Intensive Foster Care and Teen Parenting Programs. The Community Outreach Manager works collaboratively with many social and community settings/venues to identify potential resources (families, volunteers), provide comprehensive family assessment and preparation as well as training with the goal of retention of families and volunteers. He/she leads a team to attract potential families/volunteers and supports them through the journey of fostering and/or adopting and/or becoming a social connection.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic marketing plan for family and volunteer recruitment and retention that has objectives, outcomes and impact across programs
• Oversee the development of a marketing and communication strategy and assure implementation to recruit qualified volunteers and families
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with leaders in community settings (ie: congregations, hospitals, libraries, schools, businesses) for the purpose of recruiting families and volunteers
• Consult to and collaborate with Mangers to assess individual program needs as well as population/community needs
• Work with the Children and Family service teams for the recruitment and retention of families and volunteers; identify barriers and implement inclusive methods for successful recruitment
• Oversee and directly promote awareness, education and training to the community to prepare families and volunteers for understanding the process of caring for and/or working with children, adolescents and young adults.
• Oversee and assure the coordination of and team participation in special event opportunities within the community for the purpose of recruiting families and volunteers
• Work with the Ascentria Marketing Department to update materials as needed
• Effectively recruit and assist with the development of enough qualified families and volunteers to meet or exceed the growth targets for the program
• Effectively manage resources and maximize departments performance and effectiveness
• Oversee and directly promote awareness, education and training to the community to prepare families and volunteers for understanding the process of caring for and/or working with children, adolescents and young adults
• Maintain an excellent relationship with state or private funding sources and other state authorities responsible for regulating foster/adoptive homes, volunteers and child placing agencies
• Maintain expertise on permanency for children/youth, family development, and licensing and funding regulations
• Assure that coordination of MAPP training as need across foster care and adoption departments as well a volunteer orientations
• Conduct home studies on new families and/or child assessments as needed
• Assure that all regulatory requirement are accounted for and ensure that required documentation is completed maintained and meets contractual guidelines
• Provide positive role modeling and leadership to direct supervisees as well as within the team setting.
• Assure that supervision of staff is done on a weekly basis and in a professional manner taking into account individuals needs
• Responsible for assuring the hiring of and disciplining of employees as well as completion of performance evaluations for those that he/she supervises
• Function consistent with all agency policies, including confidentiality and client rights and responsibilities
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including on call responsibilities for nights, weekend as needed

Non-Essential Responsibilities

• Participate in agency wide committees or initiatives as necessary

Here’s What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor Degree required Masters preferred in Marketing, Public Relations, Human Services or related field
• Minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience
• Experience in understanding child welfare systems and community relations work
• MAPP TOT certification to be obtained within six (6) months of date of hire with support of the agency
• Valid Driver’s License, positive driving record, and proof of automobile insurance to transport children & families in own vehicle throughout Massachusetts.
• Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. FamilyNet/Virtual gateway experience is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain a calm, energetic and positive presentation

Physical/Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

• Required to sit for long periods of time.
• Infrequent light physical effort required
• Requires driving own vehicle to various sites.

Here’s Why You Should Join Us

We prioritize our employees’ wellbeing with a comprehensive benefits package, for those who qualify, and a supportive workplace culture where all are encouraged and empowered to drive change, make a difference, and enjoy life outside of work.

Ascentria Offers The Following Employee Benefits

• High quality/affordable health, dental, and vision insurance to support your overall wellness
• Flexible Spending Account to help manage eligible expenses
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match
• A full-service Employee Assistance Program with many free and accessible services and supports
• Generous tuition reimbursement to invest in your professional growth and development
• Paid time off which increases as your tenure grows and holidays for work-life balance
• A workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all voices are heard and respected

When you join Ascentria, you’re not just taking on a job—you’re stepping into a role that empowers you to grow personally and professionally while contributing to a meaningful mission.