ROLE SUMMARY:

The Parent Partner will work as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting the provision of services to children, youth, adults and their families/caregivers. The Parent Partner works closely with assigned child(ren)’s parent and/or caregiver(s) to represent their best interests and participate as a member in the Child and Family Team (CFT) Meeting, IEPs, and other external meetings as needed. The Parent Partner provides services in the field and in office as needed and demonstrates a strong ability to communicate in a team, mobilize and motivate people.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides peer/parent support to children, youth, adults and their families/caregivers to promote stability and improve functioning

• Supports and facilitates community linkages for children, youth, adults and their families/caregivers

• Fosters support and trust with children, youth, adults and their families/caregivers to create strong relationships through which clients and their families/caregivers receive the services and resources they need

• Serves as a parent/caregiver representative

• Assists families in accessing and utilizing formal and informal supports

• Links the families to appropriate job-related community resources and services

• Models and coaches in areas such as communication skills, problem solving, healthy advocacy, etc.

• Develops and maintains accurate clinical records

• Participates in trainings and meetings as assigned

• Forms productive partnerships to ensure stabilization and family wellness

• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Must be a parent and/or caregiver of a child who were involved with DCFS, Probation or Mental Health Services or a parent or relative caregiver of a special-needs child. Bilingual in Spanish is highly desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Employee regularly works out in the field and in an office environment. Employee may be required to work flexible, evening and/or weekend hours for time-sensitive projects.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, office personnel, other employees and the general public

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret manual and office documents

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

• Ability to define problems, gather, transcribe and post data, analyze, synthesize and classify information, and draw valid conclusions where only limited standardization exists.

• Ability to work independently and with others - including other employees, clients and members of the public - in face-to-face and telephonic contexts

• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and manage time, meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints

• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands

• Maintain high level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints

• Maintain a high level of ethical and professional standards in accordance with agency and community policy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to talk or hear in order to give and receive information and instructions.

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls

• Ability to reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to use computer keyboard up to 50% of the day.

• Visual acuity, ability to adjust focus and peripheral vision for work on a laptop or other computer equipment.

• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Able to use telephone, office copier, calculator, fax machine, computer printer and scanner, or other equipment as required.

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Annualized Salary Range: $37,110to $45,012
• This position is also eligible for an annual $3,000 bilingual Spanish differential
• Wellnest offers $10,000/year to build a personalized health benefits package from a choice of available medical, dental, and vision coverage plans, as well as an employer-paid $50,000 life insurance policy.
• Wellnest employees benefit from an employer-sponsored 401(k) company match, dollar for dollar, up to 4%, and a profit-sharing contribution benefit of up to 5%.