Parent Partner

FLSA: Non-exempt

DEPARTMENT:  Mental Health

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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  

To provide support and advice to help parents/careers to make informed decisions about their child’s education and welfare. Promotes partnership between parents, careers, school and local authorities for the benefit of the child.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:  

Parent Partner will mentor parents currently involved in the system. They will be a supportive voice for the family and or act as the “parent’s voice”.  They will provide advocacy, support and referral service to clients assigned to their caseload.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists in providing field contacts and ensures client’s access to services; assists clients and caretakers in linking to community services within the scope of Full Service Partnership
• Provides in-home support services that demonstrate family-centered, help-give skills and addresses activities within the Client Care/Coordination Plan
• Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team to address needs of client/families and facilitate community services linkage
• Documents all activities in accordance with Medi-Cal regulations and protocol of FSP Services
• Acts as liaison between FSP staff, community providers, families and children, facilitating an alliance to The Whole child mission.
• Participates in identifying clients’ needs and triggers (within a strength based model) to escalation and barriers; makes recommendations to supervisors and treatment team
• Provides teaching and guidance to parents and caregivers to help them manage existing resources and access needed resources (i.e., DCFS, Probation or Mental Health systems)
• Provides individualized treatment planning for clients and clients access and keep appointments, locate resources, etc.
• Develops and maintains positive, supportive relationships with parents and acts as a liaison between client, agency and community resources (including the use of informal supports, natural family helpers) and various services and systems
• Maintains knowledge of program standards and policies developed by The Whole Child and other governing bodies; develops personal and professional knowledge by attending educational workshop; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in in-service programs.
• Contributes to individual/group counseling, providing some education, consultation and other needed services
• Work closely with assigned children’s parent/caregivers to present their best interests 
• Reports any concerns to appropriate team member as they relate to case management
• Makes regular home visits to families
• Educate parents on applicable resources
• Assists parents in developing positive problem solving skills
•  Facilitates interventions as appropriate
• Models appropriate behavioral interventions
• Assists in planning program events
• Participates in staff/team meetings
• Completes paperwork in a timely and thorough manner
• Accompany parents to important meetings (i.e., court proceedings)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience related to providing case management or rehabilitative services in a mental health setting.

BENEFITS:

• Full benefits package to all positions after 30 days of employment.
• Employer-paid standard HMO Health, Dental, and Vision plans offered to employees.
• 401k plan with 4% employer match.
• 40 hours of paid sick time annually
• Paid vacation time that accrues to 80 hours annually.
• 14 Paid Holidays annually.
• Bilingual Stipend if applicable.
•  $20-23/hour starting salary dependent on experience.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employee may be asked to participate in cross-training programs or pursue additional education or training when it is determined to be in the best interest of the company by the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

This description is only intended to identify the duties, responsibilities, and requirements for the position.  It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted to describe each and every duty an employee assigned may be required to perform.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work is performed in a normal office setting. The noise level is moderate with occasional loud outbursts. Occasional need to work out in the field contacting clients in homes and schools. Will require a personal motor vehicle to frequently travel between offices, housing appointments, and community events

REASONING ABILITY: 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, (i.e., calculator, copy machine and computer printer).
• Constantly converses with staff and clients
• Frequently operates a motor vehicle to travel to school or home site
• Frequently needs to position self in order to effectively interact with children of lesser stature
• Occasionally needs to transport materials (food, clothing, books, etc.) weighing up to 50 pounds for therapeutic activities
• Frequently needs to use motor vehicle for business purposes.

The Whole Child is an equal employment opportunity employer and no candidate for employment will be rejected on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, or sex.  Candidates with physical impairments will be considered so long as it can be reasonably demonstrated that the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed without hazard to the individual, fellow employees, or clientele.