Reunification Support Coach

DEPARTMENT:                     DHS/Achieving Reunification Center

 REPORTS TO:                        Reunification Support Coach Supervisor

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 Achieving Reunification Center (ARC), a non-profit entity, has served parents or legal caregivers with children placed in an out of home placement through the Department of Human Services since 2005.   The vision of Achieving Reunification Center (ARC) is that all families with children in out-of-home placement have resources and support provided to them to achieve timely reunification.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Reunification Support Coach (RSC) partners with parents and caregivers to guide them in moving toward reunification and family stability utilizing a parent centered coaching model. The RSC will work to enroll and support an assigned caseload of parents/caregivers through scheduled virtual or in person meetings monthly, as well as monthly check-ins and other parent interactions as needed to foster the Coach/Parent relationship. Serving as an advocate, the RSC supports parents/caregivers in the reunification process, fostering collaborative efforts with the assigned CUA team and other ARC service providers to establish relationships conducive to successful reunification. The RSC assumes responsibility for partnering with parents/caregivers to develop goal plans with specific outcomes that move the parent forward towards reunification, as well as promote increased individual and family stability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate parent engagement through email, text and telephone to engage parent/caregiver in ARC.
• Use motivational interviewing as a counseling technique to enhance the desire around behavior change.
• Integrate principles of high expectations and ability to adopt unbiased approach when working with parents.
• Build and maintain relationships with parents enrolled in ARC through a minimum of two scheduled in person and/or virtual meetings to participate in goal setting, planning and monitoring.
• Understand impact of executive functioning on parent capacity regarding goal setting and ability to maintain an effective working relationship.
• Has access to and/or ability to develop network of resources to support parent to address reunification barriers;
• Prepare written reports and submit to the assigned CUA team to provide updates on parent/caregiver participation level and experience at ARC.
• Provide parent/caregiver and assigned CUA team with written evidence of successful participation in ARC services, i.e. letters of service completion, certificate of service completion to be shared during Family Court hearings.
• Work collaboratively with assigned CUA as needed to address parent/caregiver needs and concerns.
• Conduct visits to assigned Community Umbrella Agencies at least once per month to support parents and case conference with CUA case managers.
• Provide engagement and solicitation around ARC services to the public at Philadelphia Family Court and community events in an effort to increase awareness about ARC and enroll eligible parents in services.
• Maintain accurate and timely record of parent communication and documentation in the ARC database, Penelope
• Maintain client documentation in individual’s electronic ARC folder.
• Actively participate in ARC professional development opportunities to increase skills in partnering with parents/caregivers.  
• Work collaboratively with members of the ARC Team and ARC contractors as needed to support parent/caregivers needs and concerns.
• Complete parent referrals for services and resources.
• Review and update goal plans as needed to reflect ongoing parent/caregiver needs and progress.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field required. Will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree.
• A minimum of three years of case management or similar experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Highly organized with ability to effectively manage time and respond to deadlines.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.
• Experience in motivational interviewing preferred.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system is preferred.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills including typing, writing and presentation
• Ability to travel to alternative worksite locations (CUA, Family Court, community location)
• Ability to work evenings and Saturdays.