Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference!

For Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time) 
• Candidates hired in this position will work in person but will have the flexibility to work remotely when program need allows

The Parent Support Program is designed to educate and support families of juvenile probationers and juvenile detainees. The program seeks to decrease the family’s reliance on law enforcement consequences by referring families to services that can help keep their young person safe and in the community. Families of detainees will be supported in maintaining and strengthening relationships with their loved-ones in detention and preparing for the transition home. The Parent Coach provides peer mentorship, guidance, and referral services for parents and families. S/He will work with probation officers and case managers to engage families in service planning for their child, with the goal of increasing family engagement at all levels of the probation process.

Reports to: Program Coordindator Parent Suppport Services

Location: 330 Jay Street, Brooklyn 11201- Brooklyn Family Court/17 Bristol Street, Brooklyn, 11208 -Crossroads Secure Facility

Hours: 35 Hours/Week, Non-Exempt- varying schedule options between 9am and 8:30pm, Shifts. At least two later shifts per week and one weekend day.

Salary: $34,000-$39,000/Year

Major Duties of the Parent Coach @ Family Court:

• Meets with parents and youth who require assistance navigating various systems (e.g. mental health, Department of Education, community-based service providers) initially at the DOP Brooklyn Family Court office location.
• Participates in client’s Department of Probation (DOP) Individual Action Plan (IAP), based on discussion with families in need of assistance.
• Works closely with the DOP Branch Directors, Supervising Probation Officers (SPO), Probation Officers (PO), and Customized Assistance Unit staff to help DOP identify general trends in the needs of parents/caregivers being served and assist parents/caregivers as appropriate.
• Provides support to parents/caregivers during Probation weekday business hours (9am-5pm), including attending court appearances with youth’s family to offer support and ensure that the parent/caregiver understands what transpired in court.
• Provides/Co-facilitates, with DOP staff, group-based parent support services, such as evening information sessions and parent support group sessions.
• Coordinates provision of group-based family support sessions, co-facilitated by DOP staff and parent coaches at DOP’s Brooklyn Family Court office.
• Provides a schedule of sessions/activities to the DOP office liaison.

Major Duties of the Parent Coach @ Crossroads:

• Greet and welcome parents and families at all visiting days/hours in order to promote positive experiences when visiting their loved one.
• Host a monthly support group for caregivers of detainees.
• Assist parents/caregivers in preparing for the youth’s return home, including helping to identify school and support resources.
• Provide surrogate visits to detainees when families are not able to visit.
• Organize and host periodic celebrations and special gatherings that promote family unity.

General Duties of the Parent Coach:

• Encourages parents/caregivers to actively participate in the case planning throughout the youth’s delinquency case.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Meets regularly with relevant DOP/DFYJ staff.
• Provides information about viable neighborhood-based resources to ensure that youth, parent, and family needs are adequately addressed.
• Engages the parent/caregiver to listen to the concerns that place their young person at risk of continued involvement in the justice system.

Parent Coach Qualifications:

• High school Diploma/ GED required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of one year’s experience in child welfare or related systems desirable.
• Good basic knowledge of resources for families in Brooklyn.
• Personal experience with the probation system and/or juvenile justice system preferred.
• Ability to relate to a wide variety of program participants and staff.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.