The Vital Role of a Social Work Medical Case Manager in The MATCH Program
The journey through foster care can be a challenging and uncertain time for children. However, HealthCare Access Maryland’s, Making All the Children Healthy (MATCH) Program, plays a crucial role in easing the medical and healthcare challenges these youths face. In particular, the Social Worker Medical Case Managers play a key role on the team providing coordinated care and support to vulnerable children who are part of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) foster care system. Here, you’ll get an inside look at one of our own Social Work Medical Case Managers, Rebecca Spare.
Rebecca has been in the Social Work field for 25 years and at HealthCare Access Maryland for the past 9 years. She noted seeing the needs of young people not being met was part of what inspired her to enter this field. “I think I always knew this is what I wanted to do. It changed from working with families to provide assistance with housing, mental and substance abuse treatment, etc. to working with youth in foster care.”
In the 2023 fiscal year, our MATCH team worked with 1,970 BCDSS children and youth in out of home placement. By addressing health and medical needs from the very beginning of their time in foster care, our team is helping to prevent further medical complications. Early intervention, routine care, and access to necessary treatments and specialists give children a better chance at growing up healthy and thriving.
Reflecting on her time working in the MATCH program, Rebecca is reminded of some of the most rewarding experiences she’s had in this field. “My favorite memories were going to adoption hearings with families and foster youth. Knowing that I helped in that process and having them look at me as part of their family really made me feel like I was doing something to help.” These moments are an expression of why our team does this work — not just as case managers, but as people who have the privilege of helping children receive stable care until permanency and find their place in the world.
One piece of advice Rebecca shared for those who are looking to enter this field, is “don’t do it for the recognition or pay; do it because you love the work. The rest will come.”
If you’re considering a career in social work or medical case management, it’s clear that this field offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those in need. Check out our current JOB OPPORTUNITIES
