New

Child Welfare Specialist

Manhattan Strategy Group
United States, Maryland, Bethesda
4747 Bethesda Avenue (Show on map)
Mar 25, 2026
Description Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG), a leading management consulting firm, is seeking a Child Welfare Specialist to support an upcoming opportunity with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The selected candidate will assist in the administration of Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) and other monitoring activities for state child welfare programs. MSG specializes in delivering innovative solutions in program management, training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, marketing and communications, and IT and digital services to a range of federal clients, including extensive experience with the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and Department of Labor. Join MSG and be part of a collaborative, growth-oriented firm that values excellence and impact. The Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR) Child Welfare Specialist provides support to the Children's Bureau in administering the CFSRs and other state child welfare program monitoring activities.This role involves assisting with review planning, conducting case reviews, analyzing data, and supporting states in developing and implementingProgram Improvement Plans(PIPs) to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.Proven experience conducting child welfare program reviews or court improvement plans for Federal or state agencies. Past performance on time and materials contracts with similar scope and complexity is desired. Experience supporting HHS, ACF, or the Children's Bureau is advantageous. Key Responsibilities Review Planning and Preparation: Assisting with planning calls, reviewing state submissions (e.g.,Statewide Assessment,Policy Submission, Preliminary Assessment), and preparing states for reviews. Case Review and Analysis: Conducting on-site and off-site case reviews, using theOnsite Review Instrument and Instructions (OSRI),and making rating decisions based on CFSR instructions and regulations. Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyzing case review data, state performance data, and other information to understand state performance and identify areas for improvement. Program Improvement Plan (PIP) Support: Assisting states in developing, implementing, and monitoring their PIPs, ensuring alignment with CFSR findings and federal requirements. Quality Assurance: Providing quality assurance on case review instruments and supporting the CFSR Unit in all phases of the review process. Stakeholder Engagement: Interviewing agency staff, partners, and stakeholders to assess system functioning and improvement efforts. Court Improvement Plans: Work to enhance the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families involved in the child welfare system. They focus on improving court practices, policies, and procedures related to child abuse and neglect cases, foster care, and adoptions. This involves collaborations with various stakeholders: judges, attorneys, child welfare agencies, and families to identify and address systemic barriers and promote positive outcomes. Qualifications Master's degree in social work, human services, counseling, public administration, or a related field, or a Juris Doctor degree. Supervisory, administrative, or management experience in a public or private child welfare agency. At least five years of experience in child welfare, including direct experience working with state or Tribal Court Improvement Projects or juvenile/family courts dealing with child welfare cases. Strong assessment and analytical skills, including gathering information from various sources, analyzing data, and making informed judgments. Experience with the CFSR process, including the Onsite Review Instrument and Instructions (OSRI). Experience with Court Improvement Plan experience highly desirable. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including collaborating with state agency staff, stakeholders, and other team members. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Required Travel: Up to 25%. Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and competitive selection process.