Social Work & Youth Wellbeing Manager

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford seeks a Social Work & Youth Wellbeing Manager to advance youth mental, social, and emotional well-being across BGCH locations.

The role collaborates with DCF, clinical providers, schools, and families to coordinate services, document progress, and maintain confidentiality while expanding trauma-informed practices and staff development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work from CSWE-accredited program.
• Connecticut LMSW or LCSW preferred.
• Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience working with children, adolescents, and families; five+ years preferred.
• Experience working with DCF, child welfare, or behavioral health preferred.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed practices, youth development, social-emotional development, and behavioral health.

Responsibilities

• Serve as BGCH’s primary organizational liaison to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, building and maintaining a strong partnership.
• Coordinate services and communication related to youth referred to or participating in BGCH programs through DCF.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential case notes and documentation.
• Develop and facilitate staff training on trauma-informed practices, de-escalation, and youth well-being.
• Lead grant-funded program management and ensure compliance with reporting and regulations.
• Build relationships with community providers, schools, and government agencies to support BGCH youth and families.

Skills

Case management

Communication skills

Trauma-informed practices

Partner relationships

Education

Master's in Social Work (CSWE-accredited)

Job description

Description

The Social Work & Youth Wellbeing Manager serves as Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s organizational resource for supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental well-being of youth. This position works across Club locations to strengthen BGCH’s ability to effectively serve young people experiencing trauma, involvement with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems, behavioral health challenges, and other barriers to success.

Full-time

Essential Responsibilities

DCF Partnership & Case Management

• Serve as BGCH’s primary organizational liaison to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, building and maintaining a strong, responsive partnership with DCF representatives.
• Coordinate services and communication related to youth referred to or participating in BGCH programs through DCF.
• Meet regularly with DCF-involved youth as required and maintain timely, accurate, and confidential case notes, service documentation, progress information, and other required records.
• Participate in case conferences and collaborate with DCF workers, caregivers, Club staff, schools, behavioral health providers, and other partners as appropriate.
• Develop a strong understanding of DCF requirements, processes, referral pathways, documentation expectations, and contractual obligations and serve as BGCH's internal resource on these matters.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate and timely documentation and billing for DCF-funded services.
• Work proactively with DCF to increase appropriate referrals and expand the number of youth who can benefit from BGCH programs and services.

Youth Mental Health & Well-Being

• Help develop and advance BGCH's organizational approach to supporting youth mental, social, and emotional well-being.
• Assess youth needs and help coordinate appropriate supports, interventions, resources, and referrals.
• Provide short-term supportive intervention and case management within the scope of the position and professional credentials.
• Connect youth and families with appropriate community-based behavioral health, social service, educational, and family-support resources.
• Consult with Club leaders and staff regarding youth experiencing behavioral, emotional, family, or other challenges.
• Support BGCH's response to youth crises and help determine when additional professional or community intervention is appropriate.
• Build relationships with mental health providers and other community organizations to strengthen referral pathways and resources available to BGCH youth and families.

Trauma-Informed Practice & Staff Development

• Serve as an organizational resource on trauma, child development, behavioral health, social-emotional development, and effective responses to challenging youth behavior.
• Develop and facilitate training for staff on trauma-informed practices, de-escalation, youth mental health, positive behavior support, crisis response, and related topics.
• Coach and consult with Club leaders and frontline staff to help translate trauma-informed principles into everyday interactions and program practices.
• Observe Club programs and identify opportunities to strengthen practices, environments, and staff capabilities supporting youth well-being.
• Partner with Human Resources and Program leadership to incorporate relevant practices and training into onboarding, ongoing professional development, and organizational policies.

Compliance & Organizational Resource

• Partner with Human Resources and Program leadership to ensure BGCH understands and meets relevant requirements associated with serving DCF-involved and other vulnerable youth.
• Provide subject-matter expertise related to mandated reporting, confidentiality, documentation, information sharing, professional boundaries, and other areas related to youth welfare.
• Help develop and maintain appropriate procedures, documentation standards, referral protocols, and staff resources.
• Remain current on applicable regulations, DCF expectations, emerging practices, and community resources affecting BGCH youth and families.

Grant-Funded Program Management

• Lead the implementation and ongoing management of assigned grant-funded programs and special initiatives related to youth well-being, prevention, intervention, and positive youth development.
• Ensure programs are delivered in accordance with grant commitments, program objectives, timelines, reporting requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with internal staff and external partners involved in program implementation.
• Maintain appropriate participant documentation, program data, outcomes, and required records.
• Monitor progress toward program goals and partner with Grants and Finance staff to support reporting, compliance, billing, and financial documentation.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen, expand, or develop programs that respond to the evolving needs of youth and families, including youth involved in or at risk of involvement with child welfare or juvenile justice systems.

Partnership & Program Development

• Build relationships with community providers, schools, government agencies, behavioral health organizations, and other partners that can support BGCH youth and families.
• Represent BGCH in relevant DCF, behavioral health, juvenile justice, and youth-serving community meetings and initiatives.
• Identify emerging needs among youth and families and recommend new programs, partnerships, resources, or approaches.
• Contribute subject-matter expertise to grant proposals, program design, organizational planning, and evaluation related to mental health, social-emotional well-being, child welfare, and juvenile justice.

Supervisory Responsibility

This role does not manage any direct reports.

Expected Hours of Work

• September – early June: Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, with an hour for lunch
• Late June – August: Monday through Friday, eight hours between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm as designated by supervisor
• Occasional morning and/or evening and weekend work will be required as job duties demand

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EOE Statement

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusion and diversity. We ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program required.
• Connecticut LMSW or LCSW preferred.
• Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience working with children, adolescents, and families; five or more years preferred.
• Experience working with DCF, child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, or comparable systems strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with case management, case documentation, service coordination, and confidential records.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed practices, youth development, social-emotional development, and behavioral health.
• Experience facilitating professional development or training adults strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a grant-funded program, government contract, or similar initiative preferred.
• Ability to build effective relationships with government agencies, community partners, families, youth, and staff at all organizational levels.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving ability, organization, and follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments and Club locations.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between BGCH locations and community meetings as needed.

Salary Description

$65,000 - $75,000