Senior Parent Resource Navigator and Advocate

Come make a difference with Families & Children in York County impacted by the criminal justice system!

Experience a welcoming and respectful culture where our employees feel valued and can truly be themselves. With over 30 years of service in Maine and New Hampshire, we measure success by the lives we change. Looking to grow your career with an organization that invests in you? We're a certified Great Place to Work through 2025!

Benefits:

Highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and the opportunity to work with a great circle of community stakeholders who are passionate about making a difference. We also offer earned sabbaticals, HSA, vision, dental with ortho, discounts, FitBit & subscriptions via our partnership, wellness reimbursement, retirement account with up to 3% match, life insurance, career growth, free mental health coverage, amazing discounts, and so much more!

We are currently seeking a compassionate and collaborative individual to join our team as Senior Parent Resource Navigator and Advocate. This position focuses on connecting program participants with necessary care and facilitating timely, coordinated referrals. It involves assessing and identifying familial needs, linking individuals to a strong network of community support services, and assist in cultivating activities that foster positive family engagement between incarcerated parents and their children within detention and correctional facilities. This position plays a vital role in supporting our mission of improving family relationships and outcomes through personalized guidance and support. 

Individuals with personal experience related to the role, such as having personally navigated the challenges of incarceration and its impact on family members, are strongly encouraged to apply. This perspective offers valuable insights and enhances the effectiveness of the position.

The position involves a combination of travel within Maine to meet with clients and staff, as well as remote work when appropriate. The employee is expected to be on site weekly at the York County Jail, at times in locked facilities, and follow all rules and protocols established by the Jail Administrator.

Essential Functions:

• Utilize a validated assessment tool to assess parent’s criminogenic risk, program eligibility, and to support linkage to services.
• Talk through the parent and caregiver’s concerns to understand their circumstances and challenges.
• Work collaboratively with other VOA staff to develop a comprehensive resource plan tailored to the family’s specific needs.
• Help parents and caregivers navigate the system of care to receive referrals to access necessary services, including, but not limited to, housing, food assistance, physical and mental health care services, job training, income assistance, and education programs.
• Assist parents and caregivers with transportation and peer support for meetings and appointments where feasible and appropriate.
• Assess eligible parents/caregivers and their children/youth for supportive service needs, including healthcare, housing, substance use, employment, financial, and basic needs.
• Link clients to one-on-one and/or group-level social and emotional supports, including peer-led support groups.
• Follow up with participants to ensure they have accessed resources effectively and provide additional support to overcome barriers preventing family engagement.
• Orient and supervise the Youth Resource Navigator and Advocate to serve children of incarcerated parents.
• Develop an advisory working group comprised of VOANNE staff, YCJ staff, USM staff, and individuals with lived experience to inform the review of practices and implementation of system improvement recommendations.
• Conduct monthly check-ins with the jail administrator to identify incarcerated parents/caregivers with enhanced needs or challenges to prioritize and tailor service delivery and referrals.
• Provide monthly community support group meetings to offer parenting/skills education to incarcerated parents/caregivers (pre- and post-release) to improve communication and reduce conflict to create more positive relationships between parents/caregivers and children.
• Support in the delivery of quarterly restorative circles to incarcerated parents/caregivers to support spiritual/emotional support and reduce behavioral infractions pre- and post-release.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community resources and establish strong relationships with service providers.
• Document interactions, services provided, and outcomes achieved in the organization’s case management tool.
• Maintain all required professional licenses and professional training and successfully complete other training required by regulation, funding source, or the agency.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and staff both on and off duty as defined by agency ethical codes.
• Collaborate with York County Sheriff’s Office, University of Southern Maine, and other VOA departments, such as the Behavioral Health Clinical team, to enhance service delivery.
• Participate in and support parents and caregivers to participate in pro-social activities organized for their children in the community, where feasible and appropriate.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Demonstrated work experience with families impacted by juvenile justice involvement, mental health, or substance use disorder system involvement in creating referrals and linkages to community resources.
• Demonstrated work experience as a manager of personnel in a nonprofit organization or similar community organization.
• Personal experience with the justice system or with a family member in the justice system, including past experience with navigated the challenges of incarceration and its impact on family members.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related social science field is preferred (not required).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse populations in a culturally responsive way.
• Experience creating individualized case plans, resource development, and/or case management (preferred).
• Proficient in computer skills and able to learn and utilize case management software.
• Use effective judgment in crisis situations.
• Must have own reliable vehicle and a valid state of Maine driver's license. Additionally, a minimum of three years' good driving history is required.

Volunteers of America is an equal opportunity employer; and all employment-related decisions are made without consideration of individuals’ race, sex, age, national origin, disability status or any other protected characteristic .

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brunswick, ME 04011

Salary : $60,000 - $65,000