Social Worker

Wellspring Lutheran Services; Jackson (MI); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Wellspring Lutheran Services in Michigan seeks an MFT Advocate as part of MiFamily Together to support families navigating housing, mental health, parenting, and child welfare needs. You will build trust, identify strengths, and guide families toward stability and safety.

The role is full-time and hybrid, with home visits and community outreach, mileage reimbursement, and collaboration with schools, healthcare, and community organizations to promote lasting family well-being.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related human service field or education; or an associated degree with two years' experience working with families and actively pursuing a bachelor's in human services or education.
• Experience working with children and families; familiarity with child welfare systems and community resources.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to maintain flexible schedules and meet required screenings and licensure.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with families and identify goals using a strength-based approach.
• Strengthen family safety and stability by developing plans, parenting and life skills, and addressing safety concerns.
• Connect families to resources across housing, healthcare, education, and benefits; collaborate with schools and agencies for coordinated support.

Skills

Empathy

Rapport building

Professional boundaries

Communication

Adaptability

Resilience

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Associate's degree with 2 years experience

Job description

Job Description:MFT AdvocateJackson County | Full-time | Hybrid | $48,000 / yearAccepting applications through October 1, 2026Help families stay together. Help them move forward.Most people choose a career in human services because they believe people can grow. They believe families can overcome challenges. They believe children deserve the opportunity to thrive in safe, stable, and supportive environments.The MFT Advocate role is an opportunity to put those beliefs into action every day.As part of Michigan’s MiFamily Together program with Wellspring, you'll work alongside families who are navigating some of life's most difficult moments. MiFamily Together was designed to help preserve families, reduce unnecessary out-of-home placements, support reunification, and strengthen family well-being through a coordinated, whole-family approach. Rather than asking families to navigate multiple disconnected services, the program focuses on building trusting relationships, addressing the needs of both children and caregivers, and helping families create lasting stability and success.As an MFT Advocate, you will serve as a guide, partner, teacher, coach and source of support for families facing a variety of challenges. Whether a family is working through housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use issues, parenting struggles, financial hardship or child welfare involvement, your role is to help them identify strengths, build skills, access resources and move toward their goals.This is relationship-based work. It is the opportunity to meet families where they are, listen without judgment, recognize strengths that may have been overlooked, and help create pathways toward long-term safety and well-being.The impact of this work extends far beyond a single family.When parents gain confidence, children benefit. When families become more stable, communities become stronger. When protective factors increase, the likelihood of abuse and neglect decreases. Through your work, you will help create positive outcomes that can influence generations to come.What You'll DoAs an Advocate, your work centers around four key areas:Building trusting relationships. You will establish meaningful partnerships with families, helping them identify goals, navigate challenges and build on their existing strengths through a respectful, strength-based approach.Strengthening family safety and stability. You will work alongside caregivers to enhance protective factors, develop plans that address safety concerns, build parenting and life skills, and support families in creating stable environments where children can thriveConnecting families to resources and opportunities. You will help families access services and supports that address immediate needs while promoting long-term self-sufficiency, including community resources, healthcare, education, housing, transportation, and public benefits.Collaborating for lasting change. You will partner with schools, healthcare providers, child welfare professionals, referral sources, and community agencies to ensure families receive coordinated and effective support that promotes positive outcomes long after services end.Who Thrives in This RoleSuccessful MFT Advocates are compassionate, adaptable and resilient. They are skilled at building rapport with diverse families, maintaining professional boundaries and remaining calm during challenging situations. They are comfortable balancing independence and collaboration, managing changing priorities, and working creatively to help families achieve their goals.Most importantly, they never lose sight of why they entered this field in the first place: to support people, strengthen families and improve outcomes for children.EducationBachelor's degree in social work or related human service field or education ORAn associate's degree with two years of experience working with families is acceptable, provided the candidate is actively working toward a bachelor's degree in human services or education to be completed within six months.ExperienceExperience working with children and families.Familiarity with child welfare systems, community resources, and protective factors frameworks.What You'll BringYou believe in the strength and potential of families—even during difficult circumstances. You are skilled at building trust, engaging people from diverse backgrounds, and helping families navigate challenges while maintaining dignity and hope. You bring knowledge of child welfare and community resources, strong organizational and communication skills, and a willingness to adapt to the needs of families.Applicants must meet all position requirements, including required screenings, licensure and insurance requirements, technology expectations, and the ability to maintain a flexible schedule that supports family needs. Preference will be given to applicants who reside within the assigned service area.Work EnvironmentThis position involves a combination of work performed from a home office or other designated workspace, along with in-home visits and community outreach. The MFT Advocate travels throughout the assigned service area with mileage paid, including extended travel for multi-county contracts.Because families are best served where they live and interact, advocates work in a variety of home and community environments that may include animals, smoke, strong odors, clutter, and insects. Evening, weekend and holiday availability is required, and with supervisor and team support to manage schedules. The role is subject to frequent interruptions, schedule changes based on family needs and driving in all weather conditions.Why Join Wellspring?This role is more than a job. It is an opportunity to help families remain safely together, support parents in creating brighter futures for their children, and be part of a program that is transforming the way services are delivered across Michigan. Every conversation, every visit and every relationship has the potential to create lasting change.If you believe families deserve hope, support and the opportunity to succeed, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference every day.About usFor more than 130 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a trusted partner for families across Michigan, providing compassionate support and critical services to help people thrive during times of challenge and change. With deep roots in communities statewide, our team is united by a shared vision of changed lives, strong families and transformed communities.Our mission: Motivated by Christ's love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.Full job description available during the interview.