Nonprofit
Details
Description
About Think of Us
Think of Us is a systems change organization helping accelerate the transformation of the child welfare system into a Child and Family Well-Being System — one that helps youth and families heal, develop, and thrive. We focus on driving structural change and cultural transformation across the ecosystem — shifting how government systems operate, make decisions, and define success. This work builds on a series of national and state laws, regulations, and policy directions that have created the opportunity for child welfare systems to operate in drastically different, more family-centered ways.
Our work spans innovation, collaboration, and implementation to strengthen reform efforts that help children, youth, and families build stability, connection, and well-being. We partner with government, philanthropy, and communities nationwide to accelerate reform — grounding every effort in lived experience, guided by data, and strengthened by technology.
We translate lived experience into actionable insights, embed those with firsthand experience in the work of change, and co-design strategies that bridge practice and policy. When gaps appear in the ecosystem, we develop — or help others develop — proof points that show how the system can work differently. And when we learn what works (or what doesn’t), we bring those lessons to policymakers and leaders to shape new laws, regulations, and practices that make lasting change possible. We tackle the most challenging problems and innovation risks that others can’t - working to make child and family well-being the organizing goal of the nation’s child welfare system.
Here’s what this looks like:
- Built the Lived Experience Engine into the largest dataset of its kind (51,000+ voices), powering AI tools and shaping reforms
- Helped secure passage of the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and the Protecting America’s Children Act, landmark federal reforms
- Partnered with California to launch the Kinship Accelerator in 8 counties, backed by $150M and a budget increase from $317M → $896M
- Partner to drive a national kin-first shift: 39 states (plus 5 tribes) adopting kinship standards, unlocking $3B for families
- Operate direct resource networks, connecting 1,827 families to $28M+ in support
Our team members share a commitment to driving systems change through creative problem-solving, obsessive curiosity, and a love of quickly driving innovative, measurable, and impactful results.
Beta Community Responder (Texas, Region 7) — a hybrid direct-service + innovation role that supports Transition Age Youth (TAY) and kinship families by providing real-time digital resource navigation (phone/text/email) while helping design, test, and improve a human-led and AI-powered navigation program on the path to an MVP and eventual scale.
Reports to: Senior Manager, Beta Community Responder Team
Direct Reports: N/A
Location: Hybrid; Washington, D.C.-based (minimum 3 days/week in office), supporting beta testing in Texas, Region 7
Category: Full-time; Exempt
Responsibilities
Direct Support & Services — 40%
Serve as primary point of contact for the Texas Region 7 beta; provide real-time digital resource support; pilot AI-driven triage/chat/automation; capture feedback; document usage/outcomes/satisfaction
Innovation & Beta Testing — 25%
Participate in innovation/HCD activities; pilot new tech solutions; collaborate cross-functionally on workflows/accessibility; design small-scale tests (hypothesis/experiment, data collection, success criteria)
Quality Assurance for AI — 20%
Create/follow test plans; identify/report/resolve unexpected or biased outcomes; run hands-on + automated tests; monitor performance and recommend improvements
Data, Measurement & Strategy — 15%
Enter data accurately; support metrics tracking and reporting; organize/prepare summary data for insights; gather/document user feedback
Requirements
About You
Competency: Systems navigation + direct service delivery
Description: 3+ years accessing/navigating child welfare and/or adjacent social service systems; ideally 2+ years professional experience in mental health or related fields.
Competency: Clear, empathetic communication (trauma-informed posture)
Description: Communicates effectively with kinship families, foster youth, and child welfare professionals; demonstrates unconditional positive regard, sensitivity to circumstances, and responsiveness. Spanish bilingual preferred.
Competency: User-centered, iterative problem-solving
Description: Prioritizes user experience, solicits diverse feedback, translates insights into improvements; tests multiple approaches and iterates toward practical solutions.
Competency: Lived-experience-centered practice and humility
Description: Brings personal/professional experience with child welfare (or deep commitment to learn), approaches work with humility/curiosity, and centers lived experience.
Competency: Adaptability + systems-change mindset
Description: Solutions-oriented; thrives in evolving organizations; adapts quickly, perseveres through obstacles, and uses change as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Competency: Data literacy
Description: Some experience with data analysis (cleaning, visualization, interpretation) and familiarity with survey tools, analytics dashboards, and user research methods.
Competency: AI learning mindset
Description: Proactively explores, applies, and adapts AI and new tech tools to improve efficiency, solve problems, and support decision-making in beta testing and MVP work.
Experience
Experience #1: Child welfare / social services navigation (3+ years)
Details: Demonstrated ability to access and navigate child welfare and/or related social service systems; ideally paired with 2+ years in mental health or related fields.
Experience #2: Direct support + resource coordination with priority populations
Details: Experience communicating with and serving child-welfare-involved populations (kinship families, foster youth, child welfare professionals) with an empathetic, responsive approach; Spanish bilingual preferred.
Experience #3: Data-informed practice + feedback capture
Details: Ability to collect and document user feedback and support tracking/measurement to inform iterative improvement.
Experience #4: Education/Training
Details: Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, human services, or related field.
Compensation & Benefits
At TOU, we believe that taking care of our people is foundational to the impact we aim to make. Our compensation philosophy is rooted in transparency and a holistic understanding of people’s needs. We believe fair, market-competitive pay is essential to attracting and retaining the exceptional talent needed to achieve our ambitious goals. As a not-for-profit organization, we design our compensation packages—including both salary and benefits—with care and in alignment with our financial sustainability.
The annual salary for this role is $70,000–75,000. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands.
TOU’S benefits go beyond the basics. They’re designed to support your well-being, growth, and sense of purpose at work and beyond. From comprehensive health coverage to professional development support and meaningful time off, our benefits reflect our commitment to nurturing a workplace where people can thrive, both personally and professionally.
Health & Insurance
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 50% for dependents.
- Access to Talkspace for confidential therapy and mental health support.
- Short-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance included.
- Optional Long-Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance.
- Health Care and Dependent Care FSAs available.
Financial Benefits
- 401(k) Plan for pre-tax retirement contributions.
- Work-from-home setup stipend to optimize your workspace.
Paid Time Off
- Flexible PTO policy, plus sick leave and paid leaves of absence.
- 8 company holidays, plus three organization-wide seasonal breaks.
Learning & Development
- $1,500 annual stipend per employee.
- Regular organization-wide learning sessions on relevant and reflective topics.
Application Instructions
As part of your application, please submit a resume outlining your skills and experiences relevant to this role.
We are accepting applications through February 16, 2026. Only complete applications will be considered.
Please note: We do not accept phone inquiries about this position in order to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process for all applicants.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Think of Us is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and value applicants of all backgrounds, knowing that diverse perspectives strengthen our work with children, youth, and families. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and for applicants’ religious practices as required by law.
Benefits
At TOU, we believe that taking care of our people is foundational to the impact we aim to make. Our compensation philosophy is rooted in transparency and a holistic understanding of people’s needs. We believe fair, market-competitive pay is essential to attracting and retaining the exceptional talent needed to achieve our ambitious goals. As a not-for-profit organization, we design our compensation packages—including both salary and benefits—with care and in alignment with our financial sustainability.
The annual salary for this role is $70,000–75,000. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands.
TOU’S benefits go beyond the basics. They’re designed to support your well-being, growth, and sense of purpose at work and beyond. From comprehensive health coverage to professional development support and meaningful time off, our benefits reflect our commitment to nurturing a workplace where people can thrive, both personally and professionally.
Health & Insurance
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 50% for dependents.
- Access to Talkspace for confidential therapy and mental health support.
- Short-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance included.
- Optional Long-Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance.
- Health Care and Dependent Care FSAs available.
Financial Benefits
- 401(k) Plan for pre-tax retirement contributions.
- Work-from-home setup stipend to optimize your workspace.
Paid Time Off
- Flexible PTO policy, plus sick leave and paid leaves of absence.
- 8 company holidays, plus three organization-wide seasonal breaks.
Learning & Development
- $1,500 annual stipend per employee.
- Regular organization-wide learning sessions on relevant and reflective topics.
Location
Associated Location
How to Apply
