Parent Partner

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work with parents in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) child welfare system, MDHHS staff, and the community to support reunification goals for families involved with the child welfare system and enhance their capabilities to provide for their families' needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work intensively with parents to promote engagement in case plan activities via face to face visits, phone calls, letters, emails and /or phone calls, at a minimum of two hours each week

Make face to face contact with the referred family within 72 hours of referral for the purpose of engagement and determination of their willingness to participate in services

Administer the Protective Factors Survey at the initial face to face contact with the referred family

Assists families in building protective factors

Develop and submit a Service plan for each assigned family within 30 calendar days of the first face to face contact: to include the following:

Existing Strengths and resources of the family and individual family members

Goals to be accomplished by the family

An assessment of the family's current situation (successes and concerns)

Evident of negotiating concerns of the family, referring worker's expectations, and assessment of areas of concerns

Evidence of empowering the family in the formation of positive solution-focused goals and action steps

Evidence of collaborative goal setting between the family, Parent Partner and Referring Worker

Assist with reunification goals and/or the development of appropriate alternative permanency plans

Coach parents on what to expect throughout their involvement in the child welfare process

Help maintain positive connections between parents and children by observing and advocating for children and family rights.

Assist parents with identifying and advocating for their needs

Provide outreach, advocacy, encouragement and permanency planning support by connecting families to community resources

Support and advocate for parents' rights by attending Family Team Meetings, court hearings, treatment and recovery appointments or other events with parents

Collaborate with members of the Parent Partners Team, including Parent Partner Supervisor, Program Manager, referring worker and planning committees as needed

Maintain periodic contact with MDHHS caseworker duration the duration of services via in person meeting, call or email, as requested or needed by the family

Attend meetings and co-facilitate groups

Requests case re-assignment if there is a conflict or concern, including knowledge of the birth family or living in close proximity to the referred family

Develop written termination reports for each client for the purpose of documenting the reason for case closure and submit to the MDHHS referring worker within seven calendar days of case closure

Upon case termination, submit the following surveys:

Referring Worker Satisfaction Survey

Protective Factors Survey

Post Project Outcome Survey, after the first six months of termination, and again after the first year of termination, to identify successes or needed modifications.

Participate in mandated trainings

Participate weekly in individual, group and clinical supervision meetings to review progress on assigned cases including date and length of contact with each assigned parent/family, confirming the family agreement to participate and the initial plan of service

Notify MDHHS if the family is not engaging in services

Participate in a minimum of one monthly Parent Partner team/support meeting with all Parent Partners, for in-service training, case consultation, support and feedback

Provide training/education to MDHHS local office staff about the Building Community Partners Program

Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED; some college or business courses preferred

Excellent computer, technology and software skills, including Microsoft Office.

History of an open CPS or foster care case where your children were removed from your home with successful case closure and reunification

Willingness to share parenting experiences as a learning opportunity for other parents, community partners and referring worker

Healthy and stable family situation without current children' protective services (CPS) substantiation for safety issues

No confirmed child abuse report during the role of Parent Partner

valid Michigan driver's license without restrictions and proof of auto insurance

ability to work flexible, non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends in accordance with family needs;

Ability to Allow for release of medical or mental health records/reports upon request

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• History of an open CPS or foster care case where your children were removed from your home with successful case closure and reunification. Do you meet this requirement?
• This position requires you to have an automobile, valid Driver's License, and current auto insurance. Do you fit this requirement?

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Detroit, MI (Wayne County): Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: On the road