The Whole Child, the premier mental health agency in the greater Whittier area, has as its mission to give children of all ages the skills, support and security they need to build emotionally healthy lives and become caring, responsible adults. Its commitment to children includes their parents, whom it empowers to create nurturing families.
We currently have a need for a Parent Partner for its Intensive Services Program.
Position Description:
The Parent Partner will mentor parents currently involved in the system. The Parent Partner will be a support for the family as a whole and or act as the “parent’s voice”. The Parent Partner will provide advocacy, support and referral services 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 Intensive Services
- Acts as liaison between Intensive Services staff, community providers, families and children, facilitating an alliance to The Whole Child mission.
- 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 workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking state-of-the-art practices, and participating in in-service programs
- 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
- Assists parents in developing positive problem solving skills
- Facilitates interventions as appropriate
- Models appropriate behavioral interventions
- Participates in staff/team meetings
- Completes paperwork in a timely and thorough manner
- Accompany parents to important meetings (i.e., court proceedings)
Requirements:
A Bachelor’s degree and personal experience as a parent with a child who has been in the system is absolutely required. First hand experience successfully dealing with child welfare, special education, and/or recovery systems is required. Strong communication skills, with team members, clients, families and others. Must be bilingual Spanish speaking. Knowledge of child welfare & allied health services provided by referring departments. NOTE: A cover letter describing the nature & type of experience with a child in the system, i.e. special education, DCFS, DMH, Dept. of Probation, etc. must be included with your resume. Resumes without this information will not be considered.
To apply please send your resume and cover letter to Jessica Dennis at jdennis@thewholechild.org.
