Encompass Foster Care Specialist
Boost your chances before you apply.
Eliot Community Human Services
Lexington, KY, US
Summary
The Foster Care Specialist engages foster parents through peer support, in-person visits, and virtual group services to provide education and stabilization. They also conduct protective factors assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and assist caregivers in addressing behavioral health needs for children.
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.
For over 70 years, Eliot has been providing hope, healing and opportunity to children, youth, families, and adults throughout Massachusetts. Eliot's behavioral health and human services programming is evidence-based and measurement-driven, positively impacting the lives of 60,000+ individuals and families annually. Using a person-centered, community-oriented approach, Eliot partners directly with the populations we serve. Integrated program design applies expertise across the agency to provide the highest standard of quality care to participants, their families, and the community, ensuring there is no wrong door to healing and prosperity.
Our Services
With 2,500 employees, Eliot provides a comprehensive and diverse spectrum of community-based services for individuals and families of all ages in the areas of mental and behavioral health, developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury, early childhood intervention, care and counseling coordination, and youth and family programming. Eliot applies a proprietary transdiagnostic model and collaborative framework to produce expedient, effective and lasting outcomes for participants.
Employees of Eliot receive generous benefits, including:
-401K with Employer Match
-75% Healthcare Premiums Paid
-Dental and Vision Offered
-Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurance
-Up to 4 weeks vacation per year
-$3,000 Annual Tuition Reimbursement
Founded
1958
Company size
1,001-5,000 employees
Industry
Mental Health Care
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Lexington, MA
For over 70 years, Eliot has been providing hope, healing and opportunity to children, youth, families, and adults throughout Massachusetts. Eliot's behavioral health and human services programming is evidence-based and measurement-driven, positively impacting the lives of 60,000+ individuals and families annually. Using a person-centered, community-oriented approach, Eliot partners directly with the populations we serve. Integrated program design applies expertise across the agency to provide the highest standard of quality care to participants, their families, and the community, ensuring there is no wrong door to healing and prosperity.
Our Services
With 2,500 employees, Eliot provides a comprehensive and diverse spectrum of community-based services for individuals and families of all ages in the areas of mental and behavioral health, developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury, early childhood intervention, care and counseling coordination, and youth and family programming. Eliot applies a proprietary transdiagnostic model and collaborative framework to produce expedient, effective and lasting outcomes for participants.
Employees of Eliot receive generous benefits, including:
-401K with Employer Match
-75% Healthcare Premiums Paid
-Dental and Vision Offered
-Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurance
-Up to 4 weeks vacation per year
-$3,000 Annual Tuition Reimbursement
Founded
1958
Company size
1,001-5,000 employees
Industry
Mental Health Care
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Lexington, MA