Parent Partner - The Whole Child

TITLE: Parent Partner

QUALIFICATIONS:

Personal “lived experience” in navigating the complex systems to improve functioning.
Possess, or be willing to develop the skills necessary to discuss their experiences in workgroups and on panels
Strong ability to communicate in a team and mobilize and motivate people
Knowledge of child welfare and allied health services provided by the referring Departments
First-hand experience successfully dealing with the child welfare, special education and/or recovery systems
Personal experience with having a child involved in the system
Verbal bi-lingual Spanish speaking
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrate ability to provide and receive feedback
Any combination of training, education and work experience may be assessed to determine the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification; however, a bachelor’s degree and personal experience as a parent with a child who has been in the system is required.
Must have a valid CA Driver’s License and a clean driving record
Must have valid driver’s insurance

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Parent Partner will mentor parents currently involved in the system. They will be a supportive voice for the family and or act as the “parent’s voice”. They will provide advocacy, support and referral service to clients assigned to their caseload utilizing their “lived experience” in navigating the complex systems to improve functioning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists in providing field contacts and ensures client’s access to services; assists clients and caretakers in linking to community services within the scope of Full Service Partnership
Provides in-home support services that demonstrate family-centered, help-give skills and addresses activities within the Client Care/Coordination Plan
Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team to address needs of client/families and facilitate community services linkage
Documents all activities in accordance with Medi-Cal regulations and protocol of FSP Services
Acts as liaison between FSP staff, community providers, families and children, facilitating an alliance to The Whole child mission.
Participates in identifying clients’ needs and triggers (within a strength-based model) to escalation and barriers; makes recommendations to supervisors and treatment team
Provides teaching and guidance to parents and caregivers to help them manage existing resources and access needed resources (i.e., DCFS, Probation or Mental Health systems)
Provides individualized treatment planning for clients and clients access and keep appointments, locate resources, etc.
Develops and maintains positive, supportive relationships with parents and acts as a liaison between client, agency and community resources (including the use of informal supports, natural family helpers) and various services and systems
Maintains knowledge of program standards and policies developed by The Whole Child and other governing bodies; develops personal and professional knowledge by attending educational workshop; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in in-service programs.
Contributes to individual/group counseling, providing some education, consultation and other needed services
Work closely with assigned children’s parent/caregivers to present their best interests
Reports any concerns to appropriate team member as they relate to case management
Makes regular home visits to families
Educate parents on applicable resources
Assists parents in developing positive problem-solving skills
Facilitates interventions as appropriate
Facilitates Self- Help groups
Models appropriate behavioral interventions
Assists in planning program events

Participates in staff/team meetings

Represent the organization in external/community meetings, i.e., SALT (Service Area Leadership) at supervisor’s direction.

Completes paperwork in a timely and thorough manner
Accompany parents to important meetings (i.e., court proceedings)

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. They are meant to be accurate reflections of the principal job elements.

This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her Manager and/or Supervisor.

The Whole Child, the premier mental health agency in the greater Whittier area, has as its mission to give children of all ages the skills, support and security they need to build emotionally healthy lives and become caring, responsible adults. Its commitment to children includes their parents, whom it empowers to create nurturing families.

We currently have a need for a Parent Partner for its Intensive Services Program.

Position Description:

The Parent Partner will mentor parents currently involved in the system. The Parent Partner will be a support for the family as a whole and or act as the “parent’s voice”. The Parent Partner will provide advocacy, support and referral services to clients assigned to their caseload.

Essential Functions:

Assists in providing field contacts and ensures client’s access to services; assists clients and caretakers in linking to community services within the scope of Full Service Partnership
Provides in-home support services that demonstrate family-centered, help-give skills and addresses activities within the Client Care/Coordination Plan
Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team to address needs of client/families and facilitate community services linkage
Documents all activities in accordance with Medi-Cal regulations and protocol of Intensive Services
Acts as liaison between Intensive Services staff, community providers, families and children, facilitating an alliance to The Whole Child mission.
Provides teaching and guidance to parents and caregivers to help them manage existing resources and access needed resources (i.e., DCFS, Probation or Mental Health systems)
Provides individualized treatment planning for clients and clients access and keep appointments, locate resources, etc.
Develops and maintains positive, supportive relationships with parents and acts as a liaison between client, agency and community resources (including the use of informal supports, natural family helpers) and various services and systems
Maintains knowledge of program standards and policies developed by The Whole Child and other governing bodies; develops personal and professional knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking state-of-the-art practices, and participating in in-service programs
Work closely with assigned children’s parent/caregivers to present their best interests
Reports any concerns to appropriate team member as they relate to case management
Makes regular home visits to families
Assists parents in developing positive problem solving skills
Facilitates interventions as appropriate
Models appropriate behavioral interventions
Participates in staff/team meetings
Completes paperwork in a timely and thorough manner
Accompany parents to important meetings (i.e., court proceedings)

Requirements:

A Bachelor’s degree and personal experience as a parent with a child who has been in the system is absolutely required. First hand experience successfully dealing with child welfare, special education, and/or recovery systems is required. Strong communication skills, with team members, clients, families and others. Must be bilingual Spanish speaking. Knowledge of child welfare & allied health services provided by referring departments. NOTE: A cover letter describing the nature & type of experience with a child in the system, i.e. special education, DCFS, DMH, Dept. of Probation, etc. must be included with your resume. Resumes without this information will not be considered.

To apply please send your resume and cover letter to Jessica Dennis at jdennis@thewholechild.org.