Professional House Parents

POSITION PURPOSE

Responsible for parenting a cottage of six foster clients within the Program Cottages.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

· High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years relevant child care experience

· At least 21 years of age

· Strong general knowledge of child and youth development and the child welfare system

· Flexibility to handle various program responsibilities

· Computer proficiency: Proficient in Excel, Word, and Outlook

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

· Ensure all care of all clients, procedures, rules, regulations, standards, and operating protocol are in compliance with organizational and contractual policies and DCF regulations at all times.

· Maintain accurate record keeping in charts, logbooks, records and licensing compliance to assure that best practices are in place and being utilized at all times.

• Maintain all required trainings within required timeframes.

· Meeting and ensure all physical needs, medical needs, mental health needs, and any other areas of growth and concern of clients, including necessary crisis intervention.

· Respond to emergencies as per emergency plans and protocol.

· Provide on-going monitoring and supervision of all clients at all times.

· Assure safe environment for residents, employees, and visitors. Consider the safety aspects of household conditions and activities. Report any safety concerns in writing to the Director of Clinical Services.

· Instruct clients in independent living skills such as obtaining employment, comparative shopping, use of public transportation, and other necessary skills.

· Provide and model proper upkeep and cleanliness of home, furnishings, and agency vehicles.

· Schedule medical appointments, including but not limited to annual physical exams and twice per year dental cleaning/exam, therapists, and ancillary services. Provide for employee supervision as appropriate. Seek out and review information related to these appointments and initiate proper follow up actions.

· Provide transportation to appointments/sessions (and in medical emergencies as appropriate).

· Care for clients that are homebound due to illness, school discipline, holidays, vacation, or breaks.

· Provide input into development of individual service plans, goals, and outcome measurements with guidance from the Director of Clinical Services and in accordance with the program.

· Support the social, educational, moral, emotional, spiritual, and cultural growth for all clients and act in the capacity of role model for these areas of development.

· Proactively compliment and encourage clients on doing something well in order to build self-confidence and respect. Describe appropriate skills and behaviors and practice same.

· Implement consequences or nonphysical discipline for appropriate or inappropriate behaviors in accordance with program.

· Teach clients appropriate social skills such as following instructions, giving and accepting feedback, greeting and conversational skills, helping others, and proper manners.

· Assist with providing moral and educational development for clients in their care.

· Attend or take clients to enriching services, extracurricular activities, meetings, and events.

· Monitor school attendance and assess performance to ensure academic success for all clients.

· Ensure clients’ participation in tutoring, remediation and/or special academic programs as needed.

· Coordinate/schedule tutors, mentors, and other volunteers.

· Assist clients with homework and other school projects and assignments. Discuss performance with clients. Monitor home study time. Assist with assignments

· Advocate for clients’ needs within the school system as needed. Take initiative to make appointments with teachers and administrators.

· Identify and develop career plans and develop employment contacts for client.

· Teach and reinforce good study habits and the importance of education.

· Maintain a productive and positive atmosphere for study at the assigned times.

· Management of occupied home including budgeting and maintaining receipts for expenditures, record keeping as required, menu planning and meal preparation, and assisting with maintaining licensing requirements with regard to fire, health, safety standards, and managing emergencies as required.

· Manage house budget to purchase clothing, food, household supplies, and vehicle fuel. Maintain and balance reconciliation log. Submit receipts and account for all purchases.

· Assist in teaching money management skills such as budgeting, saving, giving, etc.

· Maintain all client allowances and other monies under lock and key in on-site office (track and log funds).

· Monitor all spending to stay within guidelines established by administration.

· Maintain all locks/security measures on home.

· Be responsible for all keys to secured areas (such as office, medication cabinets, hazardous materials storage, vehicles, etc.).

· Ensure that keys are never reproduced or distributed unless authorized by management.

· Maintain accurate and updated daily logs and progress notes for each client, recording services provided, significant occurrences, and other information as required by and in accordance with those guidelines and requirements established by Place of Hope, the current contract, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

· Maintain records, case/progress notes and other required materials and generate reports. Complete all assignments accurately, completely, and on time.

· Prepare progress (summary) reports (each client) for Director of Clinical Services and other agencies.

· Prepare incident reports in accordance with established reporting procedures (and follow internal/external notification protocol as necessary).

· Maintain filing system for receipts of food, clothing, entertainment, allowances, supplies and all other eligible expenditures. Maintain home filing system for daily schedules, menus, maintenance items, and appliance warranties. Assist in developing/revising clients’ treatment plans in consultation with others, as directed.

· Read and review correspondence to keep abreast of policies, procedures, events, etc.

· Attend and participate in all house meetings, staffings, meetings and client court hearings.

· Implement and participate in individual and family activities that are entertaining and educational.

· Transport clients to individual and family events, outings, and social venues.

· Monitor on and off-site activities to ensure appropriate social skills and appearances.

· Supervise family meetings as needed for clients in care and their extended families to encourage maintenance of family ties.

· Cooperate and communicate with Professional Relief House Parent.

PERFORMANCE METRICS

· Compliance with agency, contract, and DCF regulations

· Accuracy/completeness of work

· Productivity/timeliness of work

· Initiative

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (if any)

· None

PREFERENCES

· Some college credits/courses

· Experience in human services or child welfare programs

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person