Family Mentor-NC START

Are you a compassionate professional dedicated to making a meaningful impact in your community? At SPARC Foundation, we're not just offering a job—we're inviting you to join a team that values your growth, well-being, and passion for helping others. We believe in fostering a healthy work-life balance, promoting self-care, and creating a positive, transparent, and fun work environment.

Why SPARC? SPARC Foundation is committed to bringing the "human" back to human services. We focus on delivering innovative, trauma-informed treatment services to address historical challenges while supporting our employees' professional development and personal wellness. Our core values—Authenticity, Balance, Collaboration, Courage, Direct Communication, Equity, Humor, and Innovation—guide everything we do.

SPARC will provide training to ensure FCT Staff feel equipped to perform their duties and to further the professional development of FCT Staff. As a part of this training, FCT Staff will complete a 40-hour on-line course and pass fidelity markers in each of the 4 phases of FCT treatment. FCT Staff will further complete 20-hour on-line course and pass fidelity markers on each of the Recovery specific interventions of FCT Treatment. FCT Staff serve families while going through the credentialing process. (www.familycenteredtreatment.com)

The Role: NC START Family Mentor:

The NC START Family Mentor is a peer support role that works directly with parents and caregivers involved in family support and safety services, providing guidance, encouragement, and connection to resources. This position focuses on supporting families in recovery, promoting stability, and helping parents navigate complex systems while working toward reunification, healing, and long-term well-being.

Key Responsibilities

Transportation Coordination:

1. Accompany and/or transport parents and children to SUD treatment, medical, educational, court, social service, and mental health appointments

2. Connect families to recovery supports and transportation resources

Family-Centered Peer Support:

3. Meet with parents in home, community, office, or court settings to provide emotional support, recovery coaching, and parenting guidance

4. Support the START worker in promoting parental recovery

5. Participate in shared decision-making meetings

6. Educate extended family members about SUD and recovery

7. Teach families how to navigate child welfare and related systems

8. Assist with crisis intervention and stabilization

9. Attend court hearings as needed

Service Coordination:

10. Communicate effectively with parents, child welfare staff, partner agencies, and the public

11. Connect families to community resources (housing, food, clothing, furniture)

12. Assist with scheduling appointments and completing documentation

13. Help families build self-advocacy skills and access natural community supports

14. Continuously assess and support family-driven goals for long-term stability and child safety

Documentation and Family Plans:

15. Participate as an active member of the START team

16. Maintain case records and contribute to case plans, child safety planning, and court reports

17. Complete required documentation, correspondence, and data entry.

Team and Community Meetings:

18. Attend staff meetings, case conferences, trainings, and community meetings

19. Promote coordination among service providers

20. Identify barriers to family participation and help develop strategies to address them

21. Perform other related duties as assigned

NOTE: Job descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions. They reflect the principal job elements necessary for fair compensation decisions. This description is not a contract. Employment is confirmed through a Letter of Employment. North Carolina is an at-will employment state, and SPARC is an at-will employer.

Qualifications We're Looking For:

• At least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurable

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Minimum of two years in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) with knowledge of self-help programs and the recovery process

Preferred lived experience (direct or indirect) with the child welfare system

Preferred experience as a former child welfare client and/or prior SUD treatment history

Experience as a peer recovery specialist, parent advocate, or family mentor preferred

Demonstrated ability to engage families with compassion, authenticity, and a non-judgmental approach

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, complete routine documentation, manage complex family situations, and communicate effectively

No ongoing criminal activity

Perks and Benefits:

• $100 Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Paid Time Off - All Purpose Leave
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Office Equipment Provided (Laptop, Phone)
• Optional AFLAC Supplemental Benefits after 30 days

What We Offer:

• A Supportive Environment: We are a team that learns and grows together, with a strong focus on collaboration and mutual support.

Join Our Mission: SPARC’s mission is to ignite connections to education, employment, and mentorship, strengthening the well-being and personal freedom of people and families in need. If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of families and meet our qualifications, we would love to hear from you!

Apply Now: Learn more about us at www.thesparcfoundation.org. To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume. We are committed to diversity and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Salary: $38,000.00 to $40,000.00 per year

SPARC is an equal opportunity employer. We value the many perspectives that arise from a variety of cultures, races, genders, religions, national origins, ages, physical and cognitive capabilities, and sexual orientations. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Asheville, NC 28801

Salary : $38,000 - $40,000