Child Focused Recruiter

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a dynamic, highly organized, and experienced professional to fill the critical role Child Focused Recruiter. The selected candidate will uphold the fundamental responsibility of protecting children from abuse and neglect and must have extensive knowledge of child welfare, adoption, and recruitment services to promote permanency for all children. The Child Focused Recruiter will utilize the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoptionu2019s Wendyu2019s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Recruitment model to connect youth who wait for permanent homes with families who wish to adopt by implementing and coordinating effective recruitment, matching and support services for a caseload of 12-15 youth in active recruitment status. The recruiter will use the evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model to identify legally permanent resources for youth in MA DCF's permanent custody or Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) status who are over the age of nine, have special needs and/or are part of a sibling group. Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive): u00b7 Work in partnership with agency staff to identify youth for referrals to the program utilizing the Dave Thomas Foundation (DTFA) on Adoption's Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) model. u00b7 Review the case record, interview the youth, social worker responsible for case management, other agency staff with knowledge of the case and any available family members and/or other supportive connections to assist in the recruitment process. u00b7 Utilize internet search tools to identify and locate resources within the youthu2019s network. u00b7 Develop an initial written adoption readiness assessment describing the youthu2019s understanding and feelings about adoption. u00b7 Create child-focused recruitment plans for the youth. u00b7 Meet with the youth at least monthly. u00b7 Communicate with the case manager on a monthly basis to review the progress of the recruitment plan. u00b7 Meet with family members and supportive connections to discuss the progress of locating permanent resources for the youth. u00b7 Once matched, work with the case manager, youth and the adoptive resource to ensure preplacement visits are implemented. u00b7 Assist with the development and coordination of the transition plan with the youth and matched family. Work with the youth and family during the transition process to assist with placement support. u00b7 Work in conjunction with the case manager to ensure that the adoptive family is working towards adoption finalization. u00b7 In addition to DCF required trainings, attend educational opportunities provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption including, but not limited to: WWK classroom training, online modules, WWK database training, webinars and the WWK Summit hosted by the Foundation. u00b7 Submit monthly data in the WWK database. u00b7 Other duties as assigned as may be required to fulfill the responsibilities of the Child-Focused Recruiter. Required Qualifications: u00b7 Relevant experience in child welfare including knowledge of issues surrounding foster care, adoption, trauma, medical and developmental needs and the importance of legal permanency are recommended as well as familiarity with DCF policy and procedures and the juvenile and/or probate court systems. u00b7 Expertise in providing family support/excellent customer service u00b7 Ability and willingness to travel with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends. u00b7 Computer literacy and efficiency with MS Office software. u00b7 Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective. u00b7 Belief that all children deserve legal permanency. u00b7 Highly motivated self-starter. u00b7 Knowledgeable regarding impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices. u00b7 Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects and cultivate relationships. u00b7 Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations, including public/private agency staff. u00b7 Willingness to engage in cold calling people identified as current and previous connections of youth. u00b7 Excellent verbal and written communication skills. About the Department of Children and Families: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCFu2019s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education. DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning. Pre-Hire Process: A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit and click on

Created: 2025-11-15