Empower Parent Advocate Transition to School - Tulsa

Empower Parent Advocate

Transition to School Project

Purpose: This position provides services for two unique Lilyfield programs: Foster Care and EmpowerParents. We expect the role will devote approximately 30% time to Foster Care and 70% to EmpowerParents. This position will provide the direct services offered by Lilyfield to assist families as their children transition into school in grades Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten by supporting the needs of both the parent or caregiver and the child. Demonstrate compliance with the Transition Family Pilot grant as it pertains to required services. This position will also provide direct, individualized and/or group services to families. Provide case management, counseling, assessment and supportive services to foster families and foster children. To provide recruitment and retention services to foster families.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Conduct groups and individual sessions for the program
2. Promote the program to help recruit new clients for the program
3. Complete developmental assessments on every child enrolled in program
4. Assist caregivers in:
   1. Seeking additional supports for themselves or their children as they transition to school
   2. Exploring appropriate school options
   3. Enrolling in school
   4. Participating in IEP services as required
   5. Identify gaps in services needed for the child to be successful in school
   6. Systems navigation
   7. Understanding secure attachments and appropriate child development milestone
5. Recruit participants in the community through strong relationships with other community resources.
6. Support and provide positive connections with families.
7. Support the larger Empower Parent Program by filling in as a facilitator and/or supporting groups for other team members as needed
8. Travel to and from the locations where the families live for education and support.
9. Case coordination and management in conjunction with other service providers such as foster care workers, counselors, teachers, etc.
10. Complete home studies, and home study updates for foster families and adoptive families
11. Provide in-home visitation and case management, phone support and crisis management to an assigned caseload of foster families and children.
12. Provide ongoing counseling, case management, support and education for foster care families
13. Participate in foster family support groups and trainings
14. Raise awareness in the faith community about the scriptural mandate regarding foster care and adoption.
15. Provide post adoption and/or post placement support or counseling to foster families
16. Manage and maintain appropriate case files per agency policy
17. Recruit new families for the contract foster care program
18. Maintain and cultivate the strong partnership between community resources and Lilyfield.
19. Identify needs in the target community and create solutions to meet those needs.
20. Maintain awareness of and relationships with a variety of other services providers.
21. Assist in collecting data from each participant during the group sessions and maintain case files.
22. Various marketing and PR activities for the agency.
23. Driving and travel between service locations required.
24. Other tasks as assigned

Wage Classification:

Salaried

Financial Justification for the Position:

The position works directly coordinates the services provided and billed to the OPSR Transition Family Pilot contract and the Foster Care Contract There are sufficient funds for this position from charitable giving, grant funding, and contract funding.

Work Hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., some evenings and weekends for client visits or program coordination.

Reporting:

This position reports to the Parent Program Manager and/or the Foster Care Director.

Desired Character Strengths:

Assertive, Dependability, Generosity, Attentiveness, Compassion, Discernment, Initiative, Honor, Flexibility, Availability, Faith, Resourcefulness, Sensitivity, Tolerance, Patience

Education/Training:

Master’s level degree in social work, psychology or a human services related area of study; or

Bachelor’s level degree in sociology, social work, psychology, child development with at least one year of work in the human services field; or Bachelor’s level degree in any field with at least two years of work in the human services field.

Competencies/Requirements:

1. Willingness to agree to and abide by all policies and procedures including P213 Code of Ethical and Christian Conduct and OP412 Faith Engagement.
2. Experience with contracts, grants, or agreements with specific requirements related to funding
3. Knowledge of resources available to families
4. Ability to engage community partners
5. Provide group and individual services  
6. Strong organizational skills
7. Experience with parents of young children or women who are pregnant
8. Demonstrated competence in assessment and evaluation of children and families
9. Ability to use discretion when discussing sensitive or confidential information
10. Excellent interpersonal skills
11. Ability to schedule and multitask
12. Good problem-solving skills
13. Meet requirements of licensing standards in regard to criminal background check.
14. Be physically, mentally and emotionally capable of performing the assigned tasks and have the skills necessary to perform assigned tasks.
15. Valid Oklahoma driver’s license required
16. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

Experience:

At least three years of work experience with children and families or three years of work experience in any field along with relevant lived experience in the community we are serving.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit on the floor, bend and be at ground level with families and children