Parent Aide/Peer Counselor

The Parent Aide will provide in-home support and guidance to parents to improve their parenting skills, enhance family functioning, and ensure the safety and well-being of children. This position is part of the Exchange Parent Aide Program, which aims to strengthen families through parent education, support, and case management in the homes of at-risk families.

About Exchange Parent Aide (EPA):

The EPA intervention is an evidence-supported service model forming part of a comprehensive, statewide family support services continuum that will provide supportive and educational in-home services for parents/caregivers. EPA will provide parents/caregivers with individualized family support, effective parenting skills and strategies, and teach them about enhanced social connections, social-emotional competency, child safety, and child development.

Full Time: 35 Hours per week

Location: Home Based - travel to Asbury, New Jersey and Tom's River NJ Office is required.

Salary: $47,000 per year

CHSofNJ Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Life/LTD, PTO, 403B

Qualifications: Education and Experience: 

• Parent Aides may possess a GED or High School Diploma and demonstrate 3-5 years’ experience in providing direct care to minors and/or related lived experience in the child welfare system.
• Parents with lived experience must have demonstrated the ability to effectively advocate within the system while maintaining the appropriate level of diplomacy and model these skills to families being served. 
• OR a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field with at least one years’ experience working with families experiencing trauma, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, and child abuse and/or neglect.

Key Responsibilities:

Primary duties and tasks associated with the Parent Aide position.

Support: 

• Conduct regular home visits to assess family dynamics, provide support, and model effective parenting techniques.

• Conduct family -centered assessments and assist parents in developing and implementing personalized family service plans.

Family Functioning and Well-being: 

• Enhance parenting skills by providing education on parenting techniques, child development, and effective communication.

• Collaborates with Care Manager to assist families in identifying and accessing community resources and services, such as healthcare, education, and financial assistance.

• Developing and foster social connections for families through group meetings, activities and referrals. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Prepare reports and documentation as required by the program, including but not limited to regular case conferences with and written reports to the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P).

• Monitor the progress of families and adjust support strategies as needed. Program Participation and Development of Professional Self:

• Attend regular team meetings, training sessions, DCP&P Family Team Meetings and other collaborative meetings as needed for families.

• Participate in program evaluation and contribute to the continuous improvement of services.

Program Participation and Development of Professional Self:

• Attend regular team meetings, training sessions, DCP&P Family Team Meetings and other collaborative meetings as needed for families.

• Participate in program evaluation and contribute to the continuous improvement of services.

This is a brief description only of the position. Anyone interested may request a full job description from the human resource department.

The Children’s Home Society is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.