Marine Applied Research & Exploration (MARE)

Director

• Oversee all family support services and programs through engagement, retention, support, and development of adoptive families
• Support families throughout all stages of the adoption process, from initial contact through adoption finalization
• Collaborate with DCF and other adoption agencies’ social workers to help families understand the adoption process and access available services
• Serve as the internal agency leader on adoptive-family issues
• Provide in-service training, share resources, and consult on complex family cases
• Serve on the Leadership Team and represent Family Support Services in executive decisions
• Envision and implement strategic planning goals for Family Support Services
• Collaborate with Child Services and Permanency Services teams
• Lead program development, quality assurance, and evaluation initiatives
• Supervise, develop, and manage Family Support Services staff, consultants, and interns
• Contribute to employee engagement, staff retention, professional development, equity, inclusion, and organizational wellness initiatives
• Create and revise agency-wide systems and processes for prospective families
• Maintain personalized follow-up systems for families interested in adoption from foster care
• Advocate for families and address institutional barriers
• Develop partnerships with organizations serving targeted populations
• Represent MARE at community events, information fairs, adoption conferences, and workshops
• Participate in National Adoption Day and other media opportunities
• Create webinars, workshops, learning spaces, and networking opportunities
• Network with DCF and contract-agency family resource staff to facilitate child/family matching and promote Family Support Services
• Promote and administer the “Friend of the Family” mentor program
• Liaise with experienced adoptive-family volunteers supporting events, communications, fundraising, and recruitment
• Participate in planning and executing Adoption Meet & Greets and other MARE events, including evening and weekend commitments
• Participate in full-staff and team meetings in person and virtually
• Complete other duties assigned by the Associate and Executive Director

Director of Family Support Services