Parent Partner, CWS Parent Advocate Program

Global Communities is an international development non-profit organization. Our mission is to create long-lasting, positive and community-led change that improves the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people across the globe.

Global Communities is seeking a Parent Partner, Child Welfare Service (CWS) Parent Advocate Program, to join the U.S. & Border Programs field office based in San Diego, California.

The Parent Partner provides peer support and advocacy to parents or caregivers of children ages 0-18 involved with the child welfare system (CWS); helps families to work collaboratively with CWS and to successfully complete the CWS process, reunify, and reduce re-entry to foster care. The Parent Partner works with the Program Manager and Family Support Liaisons to help families achieve their goals.

The Parent Partner will be responsible for in-person meetings with families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, such meetings will be greatly restricted and safety precautions, including prioritizing virtual or outdoor, socially distant meetings and provision of personal protective supplies, will be taken. Face-to-face work may be required. Please note that all reasonable safety precautions will be taken.

Parent Partners are birth parents who have been involved with CWS and were successfully reunited with their children. Their experience with the child welfare system can help current parents and caregivers in the CWS system. Up to three part time, or one full time and one part time, Parent Partner positions will be available.

Until further notice, this position will work from home with the opportunity to come to the office on a limited basis. It is expected that this position will be based at our City Heights office when the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic decreases.

NOTE: Will consider candidates who are available to work full-time (40 hours per week) OR part-time (20 hours per week). Please note part-time work will not be eligible for benefits.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to parents or caregivers regularly, based on the identified needs of their family.
• Encourage families to tell their stories and assist in developing action plans to achieve CWS goals.
• Work with Family Support Liaison Specialists and CWS staff to develop and support a family plan.
• Listen to the parent or caregiver’s perspective to help identify the strengths of the parent or caregiver; assist the parent or caregiver in seeing and sharing their own strengths.
• Help the parent or caregiver work with the Social Worker to reach agreement about unmet needs that may be affecting the situation in the family.
• Work with the parent or caregiver to discuss ways the Family Support Liaison Specialists can support the parent or caregiver during meetings so that the parent or caregiver’s culture, beliefs, experience, voice, and choice are heard by the Social Worker and added to the case plan.
• Share information with the Social Worker, Family Support Liaison Specialists, and other service providers about the parent or caregiver’s experiences and perspective.
• Connect the parent or caregiver and other family members with community resources and verify they can access the service after transition.
• Record details of visits with families in the project database.
• Recognize, celebrate, and document family strengths and successes.
• Participate in the Partnership and Advisory Committee meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Socio-cultural experiences similar to the populations served, along with knowledge and respect of the values and beliefs of African American and/or Immigrant communities.
• Computer skills, including email and data entry. Training can be provided.
• Ability to travel throughout San Diego county (expense reimbursable).

Qualifications

• Some high school education needed. High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Lived experience as a parent within the Child Welfare System and successful reunification with child(ren). The CWS case must be closed.
• Must have U.S. work authorization.

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

https://hqcareers-globalcommunities.icims.com/jobs/1836/job