Description

ARS PARENT PARTNER

Another Road to Safety Program (ARS) is an early intervention and prevention program offered through the Prevention and Intake Division of the Alameda County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS or CFS). The strength of the ARS Program is our staff. Our Parent Partners all have personal experience successfully navigating the Child Welfare system. Parent Partners utilize their lived experiences to engage families while using a family-centered, early intervention and prevention approach.

Role:

The Parent Partner will work closely with families who are at risk of child abuse and neglect in Alameda County. The Parent Partner will work closely with families to increase involvement, setting goals, coaching family members through the process, and supporting them in achieving the set goals. The Parent Partner also helps to ensure that the integrity of the individual family's culture is fully integrated into every aspect of the care and support offered to the child and family. The Parent Partner ensures that culturally sensitive and family friendly engagement practices permeate throughout all of our program offerings. In addition, the Parent Partner will participate as a member of an Inter-Disciplinary team; including working closely with mental health professionals while representing the parents perspective. As a Parent Partner, you will receive support from the Another Road to Safety Program management team in the form of training, professional development, reflective clinical supervision, and administrative support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide outreach and engagement to families at risk of child abuse and neglect
• Demonstrate sensitivity and competence in dealing with ethnic, cultural and socioeconomically diverse client population spanning over a large geographic area.
• Conduct screenings for challenges such as safety risks, child development, substance abuse and depression
• Develop the Family Care Plan in collaboration with families goals
• Conduct weekly home and/or community based visits with families
• Support parents in accessing resources that address basic needs and stabilization concerns, such as housing, food bank, general assistance, etc.
• Provide one to one support to the parent, i.e. role modeling advocacy for the parent; acting as a sounding board, motivator and coach for the parent
• Increase awareness about the importance of parent/professional partnerships
• Assist in the ongoing development and evaluation of the childs treatment plan; including educational and mental health treatment plans
• Assist families in increasing their support network on behalf of the needs of their child
• Assist families in their understanding of their role with their child
• Participate in Inter-Disciplinary Team meetings and represent the parents perspective
• Participate in related parent education trainings and workshops
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision
• Participate in required agency in-service training program
• Communicate daily schedules and plans clearly to supervisor and other relevant parties.
• Maintain close contact with supervisor through email and cell phone contact (equipment provided).
• The ability to relate effectively and professionally with parents, supervisor, co-workers and staff in support of families.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and complete all paperwork by deadlines
• Meet and maintain all contract deliverables by deadlines
• Perform all other duties as necessary for the good of the agency

Qualifications:

• Must be a parent who has successfully navigated the Alameda County Child Welfare System, who has exhibited exceptional qualities in their own efforts to reunify and/or develop viable permanency plans for their children
• Must have an understanding of child/adolescent development
• Ability to engage with families from diverse communities
• Good organization skills.
• Good verbal and written skills.
• Basic computer skills and/or commitment to receive training in this area
• Bilingual/Bicultural (Spanish or Cantonese) preferred
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to pass background clearance and clear TB Test.
• Valid California drivers license, a clear driving record, availability of personal vehicle, and personal vehicle insurance coverage
• Willingness to work overtime as needed; including some evenings and weekend events

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some evenings and weekends required.

Travel

Local travel to various worksites is required.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Employees must pass a background check and receive TB and health clearances prior to employment.

A Better Way is committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive full consideration without regard to age, race, color, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, HIV-status, national origin or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications