Social Work & Youth Wellbeing Manager

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.

The Social Work & Youth Wellbeing Manager will lead BGCH’s relationship with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), providing case coordination and documentation for youth referred through DCF while strengthening the Club’s ability to serve additional DCF-involved youth and families. The position will serve as BGCH’s internal expert on DCF requirements and practices and will partner closely with Human Resources, Program Services, Finance, Club leadership, and external partners to ensure appropriate compliance, documentation, billing, training, and service delivery.

This role will also manage BGCH’s grant-funded programs and special initiatives relating to youth well-being, prevention, and intervention and play a role in advancing the organization’s broader strategy around youth mental health. Through direct youth support, staff training, consultation, community partnerships, and program development, this position will help ensure that BGCH environments are safe, supportive, trauma-informed, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of Hartford youth.

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-inf