Georgia THRIVE Parent Engagement Advocate (Part-time)

Georgia THRIVe Parent Engagement Advocate (Part-time)

This role champions the personal experience of successfully navigating the foster-care system and achieving reunification. The Parent Partner provides guidance to parents who have an infant or toddler in an open dependency case. The Parent Partner will leverage their own lived experiences to foster hope and empowerment in parents by developing coping strategies, accessing resources, building social connections, and helping parents achieve reunification. The Parent Partner is a dedicated and compassionate professional with experience providing peer support and guidance to individuals in need, with a proven track record of success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide direct support with one-on-one coaching, and encouragement to parents in overcoming personal barriers to reunification with their infant/toddler.

• Help parents identify and address barriers to recovery. Assist parents in creating and implementing their care plans by setting goals, identifying triggers and utilizing coping mechanisms.

• Provide resource navigation by connecting parents with relevant resources, such as parenting classes, support groups, treatment centers, and community services.

• Advocate for parents who have had their infant/child removed from their care and are navigating an open dependency case, assist parents to meet their needs, and role model appropriate methods to protect their rights. Provide a safe space for parents to express their feelings related to their child’s dependency case. Support parents in developing self-help skills and making informed decisions.

• Provide crisis Intervention by responding to crises and providing support during challenging times.

• Provide documentation of services, parent progress, and report any concerns to the Program Coordinator.

• Collaborate by building rapport with parents and sharing personal experiences to build trust and foster hope. Work with the Program Coordinator and other Community professionals as needed.

• Assisting with basic life skills, such as basic childcare, housekeeping, budgeting time management and building a support system.

• Educate parents about mental health, substance use conditions, and maltreatment within the home.

• Assist with transportation and other logistical needs related to reunification.

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to stand for a sustained period.

• The ability to sit for sustained periods of time.

• The ability to use hands and fingers to feel, operate a computer, and perform picking, pinching and whole hand or arm handling tasks.

• The ability to climb stairs.

• The ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, sit on the floor, or crawl a needed.

• The ability to reach extending arms in any direction.

• The ability to push or pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

• The ability to talk accurately exchange information.

• The ability to hear to exchange information.

• The ability to work in indoor conditions.

Parent Partner Requirements and Qualifications (Part-time)

• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Associate degree or higher in social services (preferred)
• Successful navigation of DFCS system and reunification with children over 1 year without issues.
• Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification (preferred-or willingness to complete)
• Moderate computer proficiency
• Valid state driver's license
• Sharing personal experiences to build trust and foster hope