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.