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Outreach worker vs foster care worker

The differences between outreach workers and foster care workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an outreach worker, becoming a foster care worker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a foster care worker has an average salary of $46,037, which is higher than the $37,639 average annual salary of an outreach worker.

The top three skills for an outreach worker include social work, autism and patients. The most important skills for a foster care worker are foster care, social work, and child abuse.

Outreach worker vs foster care worker overview

Outreach WorkerFoster Care Worker
Yearly salary$37,639$46,037
Hourly rate$18.10$22.13
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs65,822151,625
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4342
Years of experience124

What does an outreach worker do?

An outreach worker is responsible for supporting community events and relief efforts to assist citizens with their needs, providing them resources, and facilitating lifestyle programs. Outreach workers coordinate with participants, suppliers, and sponsors for funding and promotions. They also manage the budgeting and allocation of resources for the programs, ensuring that the activities adhere to the state regulations and community benefits. An outreach worker must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing progress reports and transactions.

What does a foster care worker do?

A Foster Care Worker helps improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families as well as increases the family's well-being and the academic functioning of children. They counsel families about issues regarding their child's care and develop healthy living situations.

Outreach worker vs foster care worker salary

Outreach workers and foster care workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Outreach WorkerFoster Care Worker
Average salary$37,639$46,037
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $49,000Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaNew Jersey
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkRiverview Health
Best paying industryFinanceConstruction

Differences between outreach worker and foster care worker education

There are a few differences between an outreach worker and a foster care worker in terms of educational background:

Outreach WorkerFoster Care Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonBoston University

Outreach worker vs foster care worker demographics

Here are the differences between outreach workers' and foster care workers' demographics:

Outreach WorkerFoster Care Worker
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.5% Asian, 6.2% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between outreach worker and foster care worker duties and responsibilities

Outreach worker example responsibilities.

  • Review and research leads regarding personal injury cases by obtaining information from the Medicaid recipient's attorney and insurance adjuster
  • Provide information and referral to patients regarding community resources and needs indicate, and advocate eliminating barriers to care.
  • Provide resources for the community regarding health care issues and rehabilitation.
  • Conduct client interviews clients to gather information, assess need, and determine appropriate Medicaid category of eligibility.
  • Assist patients in application process for medical programs and screen for appropriate medical coverage eligibility available through state programs.
  • Deliver direct services to children with autism by executing individualize plans, completing necessary documentation and communication effectively with team.
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Foster care worker example responsibilities.

  • Conduct unscheduled regular school visits to attain records of attendance, suspensions, IEP, and treatment plans.
  • Manage to write progress note, complete FASP's and input information on PROMIS on a timely manner.
  • Manage caseload of 18 23 children and adolescents in DSS custody due to abuse, neglect and criminal activity.
  • Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
  • Lead presentation and training sessions to community and inter-agency groups.
  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
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Outreach worker vs foster care worker skills

Common outreach worker skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common foster care worker skills
  • Foster Care, 26%
  • Social Work, 19%
  • Child Abuse, 7%
  • Social Services, 6%
  • Foster Children, 5%
  • Community Resources, 4%

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