Safe Families Parent Leader

Safe Families Parent Leader

Requisition #: req14936

Location: Kingston, PA

Hours: Part-time (20-hours/week)

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

As a Parent Leader, you will be primarily responsible for working collaboratively with families, staff, and community partners to ensure that the program supports families and caregivers in addressing family needs. This person will also provide best practices based upon the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework for hands-on peer to peer support to parents and caregivers, as well as ongoing connection to concrete supports.

This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organize and Lead Parent Cafes, both in-person and virtually with fidelity to the model;
• Recruit parents with expressed leadership interests or potential to become café hosts;
• Identify barriers to participation in cafes and collaborate with staff to determine best practices to address barriers;
• Keep updated list of engaged parents and facilitate peer to peer connections;
• Establish and maintain current list of community resources and connect parents with resources, as needed;
• Collaborate with staff to administer Be Strong Families Parent Café Evaluation;
• Attend all required trainings, including "Be Strong Families Parent Cafe Training";
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School or equivalent degree required;
• BA/BS in human services (or equivalent field of study from accredited college) degree preferred with prior lived experience;
• Values working with diverse and multi-cultural populations;
• Must possess the ability to engage, and communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals;
• Ability to interact compassionately with families from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Complete Be Strong Families Parent Cafe Training and become certified in the Parent Cafe model;
• Ability to learn the Five Protective Factors to empower and encourage parents who participate in Parent Cafes.
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.