Parent Partner (PPS) - A Better Way : Job Details

Job Details Job Location: Santa Cruz Office - Santa Cruz, CA Salary Range: $23.00 - $27.00 Hourly

Position: Parent Partner

Accountability: Reports to SCPPP Program Supervisor

Job Status: Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt (hourly)

Date Revised: December 2024

PARENT PARTNER

PARENT PARTNER PROGRAM SERVICES – SANTA CRUZ

The Parent Partner Program (SCPPP) was developed by the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department to improve outcomes for families involved with the Child Welfare system. The strength of the Parent Partner Program is our staff. Our Parent Partners all have personal and lived experience successfully navigating the Child Welfare system as clients. With professional development, specialized training, and support, they are able to turn their experience into expertise – offering hope and guidance to other parents who are currently involved with the Santa Cruz County Child Welfare system.

Job Summary:

As a Parent Partner, you will work directly with parents involved in the Santa Cruz County Child Welfare system, advocating for and assisting them in successfully navigating this system. The Parent Partner will collaborate with Santa Cruz County Social Workers to support parents in engaging in their case plan activities, addressing safety concerns, and developing a clear understanding of the issues that brought their family to the attention of the County of Santa Cruz Department of Family and Children Services. The Parent Partner will also contribute to the County's program and policy development by providing their insight and expertise as “the parent voice” in a variety of settings as requested by the Department of Family and Children Services. You will receive support from the SCPPP Management team in the form of training, professional development, reflective supervision, and administrative support.

Qualifications:

• A parent who has successfully navigated the Santa Cruz County Child Welfare System as a client, exhibiting exceptional qualities in their efforts to reunify and carry out viable permanency plans for their children.
• Ability to work directly with parents and collaborate with Santa Cruz County staff to deliver appropriate and supportive services to families.
• Ability to engage professionally with parents, supervisors, peers, community partners, and County staff.
• Personal experience connecting with community resources and supporting families in accessing needed community resources.
• Ability to engage cross-culturally with diverse clientele and community partners, providing culturally relevant and sensitive support.
• Willingness to engage in personal and professional development to develop new skills and meet the challenges of the position.
• Willingness to engage in reflective practices and utilize other clinical approaches in identifying and addressing personal issues that may affect or be affected by working with families involved with the Child Welfare system.
• Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in computer and mobile technologies and/or commitment to receive training in this area.
• Ability to telecommute when needed and demonstrate autonomy.
• Ability to pass a background clearance and TB test.
• Valid California driver's license, a clear driving record, availability of personal vehicle, and personal vehicle insurance coverage.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed, including some evening and weekend events.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bilingual/Bicultural (Spanish), Fathers Previously involved in the Santa Cruz County child welfare system.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend Emergency Removal, Considered Removal, Case Planning, and Review Child and Family Team (CFTs) meetings to ensure that families' concerns are heard and addressed.
• Clarify and demystify Child Welfare and Juvenile Court systems and jargon for parents.
• Work with parents to address case plan requirements and develop positive relationships with their social workers, including participating in joint meetings between social workers and parents.
• Assist parents with prioritizing their case plan goals and requirements.
• Assist parents with increasing their support network for the needs of their child.
• Provide case management services to parents through weekly in-person home visits, phone calls, Teams, and/or Zoom calls to provide emotional and practical support to navigate the Child Welfare system.
• Support parents in accessing resources that address basic needs and stabilization concerns, such as housing, food, general assistance, etc.
• Support parents to complete family self-assessments to promote positive family outcomes that reduce future maltreatment of children and increase family reunification.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and competence in engaging with a diverse client population spanning a large geographic area.
• Provide one-to-one support to the parent, role modeling advocacy: acting as a sounding board, motivator, and coach.
• Co-facilitate Parent Support Groups and other parent training development events.
• Co-facilitate Parent Orientation Classes, orienting parents to the Child Welfare and Juvenile Dependency Court systems.
• Facilitate icebreaker meetings between birth parents and resource parents.
• Provide training to Santa Cruz County Social Workers, Parent Attorneys, and other community partners.
• Participate in weekly individual and group reflective supervision.
• Participate in required agency and county in-service training.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and complete all paperwork by deadlines.
• Meet and maintain all contract deliverables by deadlines.
• Communicate daily schedules and plans clearly to supervisors and other relevant parties, verbally and in writing.
• Maintain close contact with supervisors through email and cell phone (equipment provided).
• Perform all other duties as necessary for the good of the agency and program.

Work Environment:

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

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 non-exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some evenings and weekends are 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. Compliance with organizational vaccination policy is required.

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.