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POSITION SUMMARY: The Community Wellness Advocate II- Child and Family Advocacy (CWA) ensures comprehensive care coordination for Child Protection Team patients, partners with caregivers to establish and enacts health and wellness goals; facilitates access to and coordinates services among both internal and external programs and resources. The CWA is responsible for managing incoming referrals for the Child Protection Team, responding to outreach from the Department of Children and Families, engaging in quality improvement for children in out of home placement including, in state agency custody, and reducing barriers to accessing pediatric well child and specialty care for children with DCF involvement. The CWA will provide family-centered advocacy and case management services through clinic- and hospital - based one-on-one, family, and interdisciplinary group support. As a member of an innovative care team, the Community Wellness Advocate - Child and Family Advocacy, works collaboratively to identify and address barriers to health and wellness and contributes to care delivery models using a strengths-based approach. The role is embedded within Child Protection Team, within the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. The long-term focus of the CWA role is to promote family wellbeing and preservation, reduce risk factors and increase protective factors for child safety, address care gaps for child in DCF custody and increase family engagement in medical and other multi-disciplinary services at Boston Medical Center and beyond. As a member of an innovation team, this role is tasked with testing new and novel care delivery approaches, the specific activities of the CWA may evolve over time as new initiatives are implemented. Position: Community Wellness Advocate - Child and Family Advocacy Department: Pediatric Clinic Admin Schedule: Full Time ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES: The following are key activities expected for this role: Referral Responsibilities:
Functions a key member of an inter-disciplinary team (social workers, and physicians) providing clinical services to children who are at risk for and who have experienced abuse or neglect. Serves as a point of contact for pediatric ambulatory patients entering the custody of the Department of Children and Families and ensure valid court paperwork is obtained, demographic and insurance information is accurate, and work to expedite appointment scheduling of DCF 7-Day (Screening) and DCF 30-Day (Comprehensive) visits with the multidisciplinary care team. Triage referral work queues for Child Protection Team by reviewing medical charts and discussing referrals with clinicians (MD & SW). Verify and updates patient demographic and insurance information and ensures that legal paperwork documenting custody is on file when scheduling any visits Ensure thorough and high-quality referrals are received and timely scheduling of appointments by identifying additional paperwork needed and recommending additional/alternative referrals/services for families if they are not clinically appropriate for Child Protection Team. Conducting initial calls with caregivers and outline details of what will happen when seen by the Child Protection Team to prepare families for their appointment. Proactively contacts patients' families for whom DCF has requested a medical update and who areidentified to be behind on care and/or have open referrals. Identify and resolve potential barriers for appointment completion and expedite appointment scheduling. Fields administrative/operational requests from clinicians and staff regarding referrals. Support referral pathways and communication with referring health care centers and associated hospitals to promote high quality referrals, improve access to services for referred patients and promote patient wrap-around care.
Clinical Care Coordination Responsibilities
Engages families in-person and via telehealth to provide caregiver coaching and support, including outreach to and engagement with families to define individual goals, promote healthy development, child safety and access to care and services. Teaches caregivers key educational and developmental messages using a variety of culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate strategies, in a variety of settings. Documenting patient communications in the electronic medical record in a timely and comprehensive manner. Coordinate and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and liaises with The Department of Children and Families, community-based multidisciplinary teams, including Child Advocacy Centers, across Massachusetts, other state and city agencies, and Child Protection Teams from other hospitals in the Commonwealth. Providing direct support to caregivers who are navigating DCF involvement, through provision of individualized and tailored resources, referrals to community-based programs, and connection to ongoing care. Areas of support may encompass concrete supports healthcare support services, behavioral health, financial mobility coaching, school-based interventions, early-intervention, child-care, legal resources, domestic violence resources, social isolation and any other appropriate community resources. Uses appropriate screeners (e.g., PHQ9, SEEK, Pediatric Symptom Checklist, SWYC) to identify social determinants of health (SDOH), developmental and behavioral health needs. Develops and provides resources for families on services/supports to promote healthy and safety relationships, navigate parenting stressors and mental health and support developmental and emotional health. Supporting children, families, caregivers and clinicians during Child Protection Team appointments and providing support between appointments. Utilizing exceptional problem-solving skills to assist families in overcoming barriers related to the patient's service needs, and trouble-shooting challenges that may arise. Discussing resources/supports with families by meeting them where they are, being empathetic to their concerns and addressing all questions. Develops and maintains strong relationships with the stakeholders and community resources for families who are at risk for and who have experienced child maltreatment, including state and clinical agencies, community-based programs and Child Advocacy Center and act as a liaison between the agency, family and clinicians. Participating in the case review with the interdisciplinary care team to provide a comprehensive approach to care for the patients and their families. Providing excellent communication with health care clinicians, ancillary support staff and related service professionals to see that care needs are coordinated and addressed in a timely manner. Escalates complex or urgent issues to clinical staff and supervisor in a timely and effective manner, ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly and appropriate support is provided to resolve challenges, while maintaining clear communication and following protocols.
Educational Programming Support
Managing and updating a resource database for providers to access that covers topics related to assessing and responding to concerns for child maltreatment. Managing intranet updates of Child Protection Team Rounds announcements and program materials. Assist in organizing monthly Child Protection Team Rounds including identifying presenters, supporting the submission of CME applications and logistics, and interfacing with vendors. Responding to requests from internal BMC departments, community health centers and associated hospitals for training and education on child maltreatment. Participating with other staff in activities that include community outreach, presentations to community organizations, development of materials, and phone calls.
(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required). JOB REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION:
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
EXPERIENCE:
2-5 years of prior healthcare, public health, mental health, or community-based programmatic experience preferred, with knowledge of MA community services landscape (specific knowledge of services in Dorchester and Roxbury a plus) Bilingual, preferably in English and either Spanish or Haitian Creole Prior experience with quality improvement projects preferred
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Basic knowledge of healthcare system and social service landscape Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills Understanding of how language, culture and socioeconomic circumstances affect health
Compensation Range: $23.80- $34.38
This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location. Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans According to the FTC, there has been a rise in employment offer scams. Our current job openings are listed on our website and applications are received only through our website. We do not ask or require downloads of any applications, or "apps" job offers are not extended over text messages or social media platforms. We do not ask individuals to purchase equipment for or prior to employment.
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Boston Medical Center
paid time off, 403(b)
Dec 04, 2025