Family Resource Center (FRC) Parent Partner

Job Summary :

Responsible for empowering and engaging biological parents to work effectively with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the child welfare system. The Parent Partner will foster cooperation between the DCFS caseworker, other professionals and the family through mentorship, support, and advocacy. The Parent Partner will also work alongside Parent Resource Managers and Mental Health Coordinator to ensure the success of parents' completion of their case plan. The Region 9 area served by the Family Resource Center includes the following parishes : Bienville, Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Moorehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll. Services will be family-centered and strength-based, directed at establishing a trusting relationship; will assist in strengthening the parent child relationship; and will assist parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment by enhancing the family support system and increasing the family's ability to problem-solve and advocate for themselves and their children.

Hours : 40 hours per week

Essential Functions and Basic Duties :

• Work intensively with birth parents to promote engagement in case plan activities via face-to-face visits, letters, emails, and or phone calls.
• Have a minimum of four contacts per month- two face to face and two phone contacts. Weekly contact should be attempted. Face to face contact can decrease to twice a month as a parent progresses, with supervisor approval.
• Help maintain connections between parents and children by advocating for children and family rights and promoting QPI principles where appropriate and possible.
• Assist in the goal of reunification and / or the development of appropriate alternative permanent plans.
• Provide a sense of hope and inspiration through encouragement, outreach, and connecting parents with resources.
• Support families by attending FTM, court, treatment, recovery, or other gatherings with parents.
• Collaborate with others vested in the Parent Partner approach including the supervisor, other FRC staff including educators, foster parents, child welfare case worker, steering committees, and others.
• Will NOT baby-sit.
• Can be available as a support during or after visitation.
• Contact family within one week of assignment.
• Request re-assignment if there is a conflict or concern (including if he or she knows the birth family or lives in close proximity).
• Have weekly contact with DCFS caseworker during the duration of services, as needed or requested by the family. If there are safety concerns, workers should be contacted immediately.
• Adhere to agency policy concerning mandated reporting and confidentiality. Keep accurate and up to date file documentation. File will include referral, consent to participate, any release of information forms, and contact / contact attempt counts, contact logs.
• Turn in required count documentation for FRC monthly and Annual reports.
• Provides Supervisor and Data Manager with all assigned data and reports in a timely manner.
• Participate and assist in coordination of FRC activities and events.
• Attend weekly staff meetings, supervision, multi-disciplinary team meetings, and trainings as scheduled. Be available to work evenings and Saturdays on a regular basis and to work emergency hours occasionally.
• Maintain professionalism in line with agency and program policies and procedures.
• Maintain high level of confidentiality as it relates to clients, personnel, the agency, and all records / documents.
• Provide services in accordance with program fidelity and measures.
• Provide home visits to assigned families. Some travel may be required when assigned families live in rural areas.
• Other duties assigned; the scope of the job any change as necessitated by business demands.

Qualification Requirements :

Must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to Children's Coalition.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer.