Parenting Specialist

Description

Title: Parenting Specialist
Job Type: Full-Time - 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.. with flexibility to work occasional evening hour and subject to change based on program and/or coverage needs
Location: Onsite/In-person | 2625 N. Weil Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Reports to: Director of Child and Family Services
Department: Child and Family Services

Background

Meta House is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families. This unique mission is at the heart of everything we do, inspiring our work and connecting us to our community. We offer a highly rewarding work environment where your contributions are valued and appreciated, and where you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Position Summary

The Parenting Specialist assesses clients' parenting needs and provides supportive educational and hands-on parenting coaching services/interventions throughout the continuum of care. Carries a caseload of families, provides both individual and group services. The Parenting Specialist is responsible for executing Meta House’s strategy in support of the organization’s mission, goals, and strategic direction. This position serves as direct service for families.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individual parenting services to assigned clients; complete parenting needs assessment and treatment plans; provide home visits as appropriate 
• Observe and assess in-home family functioning and parenting skills and suggest changes in the interaction between parent and child based on in-home observations. Formulate service plans to meet parenting needs of the mother-child relationship. 
• Assist families in establishing a safe home environment for infants and children
• Educate families in parenting skills to increase positive parenting outcomes
• Provide families with an understanding of infant and child development 
• Assist families in developing appropriate discipline for their children
• Facilitate weekly Nurturing Program, Parent Education, and Celebrating Families! groups
• Be responsible for all related paperwork, record keeping and compliance with all regulations and licensing
• Work in collaboration with clinical teams to develop contacts and relationships with schools, child welfare, daycare, community resources and others when necessary. Provide outreach services to the extended family members of clients. Attend Wraparound meetings (RPOC); coordinate therapeutic services with community agencies, such as Child Protective Services, schools, physicians, etc. 
• Follow guidelines related to the mandated reporting of child abuse/neglect 
• Attend residential and/or OP Staff Meetings weekly. Attend Child and Family meetings weekly. Communicate regularly with the Clinical, Child and Family, Housing, and RSS staff as assigned.
• Participate in agency wide policy/procedure or service committees as assigned
• Participate in community resource meetings as assigned 
• Other duties as periodically or permanently assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Required Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Services or a related field.
• Required Work Experience
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a setting that provides services to clients and families with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders 
  • Experience working directly with children and families 
  • Working knowledge of child protective services, W-2, physical and mental health care systems, criminal justice, and MPS/school systems 
• Required License/Certification
  • Valid Wisconsin driver’s license required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of co-occurring treatment issues, the effects of substance use disorders and behavioral/emotional health disorders on families and children, and trauma informed care
• Able to develop, deliver and implement family activities and teach/model parenting skills
• Understands and models healthy parent/child relationships
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse clientele and staff
• Understanding of cultural competencies and gender-specific issues
• Ability to develop and sustain team approach to treatment and case management
• Knowledge of community resources
• Good communication, documentation/problem-solving skills and basic computer literacy, including familiarity with Electronic Health Records systems. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• All Meta House staff are required to provide proof of vaccination for MMR, Varicella, and annual flu shot
• Adherence to a non-smoking work environment
• Tolerate occasional hot or cold days.
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time including alternating sitting or standing at will.
• Lift and up to 25 pounds on a regular basis and 40 pounds on occasion
• Ascend and descend stairs using feet and legs.
• Bend, stoop, twist, squat, and kneel to perform essential functions.
• Reach overhead, and at or below shoulder level.
• Read and enter text or data into a computer or other system.
• Seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands.
• Touch, pick, punch or otherwise working with fingers.
• Hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds to communicate with clients and/or colleagues.
• Express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information to clients or the public and convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• See clearly at approximately 20 inches or less including use of computers or tablet.
• Visually identify clients and others for reasons including, but not limited to security, presence in the building, and medication dispensing.
• Ability to operate agency vehicle for work related duties.
• Ability to operate agency 15 passenger van.
• Ability to use personal vehicle for work related duties.
• Auto insurance coverage with the following limits: 100k per person bodily injury/300k per accident bodily injury limit/100k property damage liability (required for employees using their personal vehicle for work or for employees transporting clients in their personal vehicle).

Additional Information:

• This description was prepared to help evaluate various classes of responsibilities, skills, and working conditions. It indicates the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of positions given this classification. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision.

  • Nothing contained herein is intended or shall be construed to create or constitute a contract of employment between any employee or group of employees and Meta House. Meta House retains and reserves all rights to change, modify, amend, add to, or delete from any section of this document as it deems, in its judgment, to be proper.

Meta House is an equal opportunity employer. Employment and advancement opportunities are based on merit and qualifications. Meta House does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We are committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. We encourage women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, veterans and members of the LGBTQIA community to apply.

Salary : $21 - $22