Foster Parent - Hope House $5000 Sign -on Bonus

Hope House Foster Parent

Job Summary

The general scope of responsibilities while employed as a Hope House Foster Parent for up to 4 youth between the ages of 13-17 are all the tasks relating to personal care, housing, meals, academics, recreational activities and trauma-informed care of youth in the One Hope United (OHU) Community Home Based Residential Program. House Parent(s) will be trained to use the Family Teaching Model, which is an evidence based and trauma-informed approach. House Parent(s) are live in supervisors. Other activities include: Supporting positive behavior of the youth, supervising and arranging activities to ensure proper mental, physical, and social development is provided. House Parent(s) shall ensure that the youth attend school regularly, provided ongoing academic support in the home. House Parent(s) goal is to provide an equitable and nurturing family style environment within the home.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provides supervision of youth in accordance with OHU and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) policies
• Maintains a therapeutic home environment. Interactions with all youth reflect a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach
• Teaches, models, and participates in individual and group instruction, in daily living, recreational activities, social skills, emotional regulation skills, and independent living skills as prescribed by each youth’s Individual Treatment Plan and the OHU Residential Program Plan
• Continually trains and maintains certification in the implementation of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) or other approved behavior modification program
• Follows OHU Residential Program Plan, including daily schedule, administration of expectations and associated consequences, and mental health treatment of youth in residential care. House Parent(s) make adjustments to daily schedule as needed and that support a nurturing, educational and positive environment
• Establish and sustain positive relationships with youth biological parents, social workers, counselors, child psychologists, teachers, mentors, and any members of the treatment team. The ability to successfully engage and interact with a diverse demographic is essential
• Work collaboratively with a treatment team to provide quality services with the objective to exceed expected outcomes
• Participates in weekly clinical, staff and Child and Family Team Meetings
• Attends professional development trainings, seminars, and conferences as assigned by supervisory or administrative staff
• Transports youth and their families to mandated court hearings, school appointments, doctor appointments or other case related appointments
• Completes all documentation required for the position in a timely and accurate manner
• Always maintains client and program confidentiality to the highest standard
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Maintains highest ethical standards aligned with child welfare practices
• Interact and intervene with youth with a strength-based approach
• Serve as a central point of communications and coordination for all mental health related services, treatment and counseling needs of the youth
• Regularly discusses progress toward goals with client and encourages client feedback and client ownership of outcomes
• Complete Admission Notes, Mental Health Assessments, Individual Treatment Plans, Individual Treatment Plan Reviews, Mental Health Reassessments significant event reports and Court Reports for each youth in the home with accuracy and within the required time frames.
• Monitors client progress and periodically reassess client's level of functioning within required time frame
• Completes transition and aftercare as prescribed by the DCFS Transition/Aftercare Protocol
• Ensures there is a medical rule out of symptoms and coordinates the approach with medical and other providers serving the client
• Represents OHU at court hearings, meetings, Annual Case Reviews, Child and Family Team Meetings and any other collaborative meetings on behalf of youth and families
• Adheres to the Family Teaching Model, which is Trauma Informed and Evidence Based Program
• Treats all information concerning the program as confidential
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Other:

DCFS background check & approval to transport youth

Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance

Required Skills

• Proficient computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and adaptive skills to expand software application skills as necessary
• Ability to handle stress well and effectively de-escalate crises
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to handle decisions
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Ability to maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy
• Demonstrated ability to utilize analytical thinking and handle decisions
• Required to use computer and keyboard
• Ability to exercise discretion and ensure confidentiality
• Ability to live in a single-family home and provide adequate supervision for up to four youth
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug test
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The position requires visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need; and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, computer, and copier. The employee is occasionally required to move items up to 50 pounds.

The employee works in varied residential environments based on assigned caseload and may encounter unpredictable clients. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions. The employee must be able to enter and exit a vehicle or a building without assistance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently drive an automobile, taking clients to appointments, in the local and regional area. Occasionally, travel is outside the local area and overnight.

In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

One Hope United provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, One Hope United complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

One Hope United expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of One Hope United’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

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