Temporary Extra Help

Help others and give something back to our community. Public service matters and can be a great source of personal fulfillment. Whatcom County is hiring a part-time, temporary Lead Parent Ally for the "Parents for Parents" program in the Juvenile division of Superior Court. This position will work 5-10 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Qualified applicants will have previously had a successful case closure of a dependency case as outlined in RCW 13.34. Parents for Parents helps parents whose children have been removed from their care by Child Protective Services (CPS) or whose children are in an in-home dependency. The program connects "Veteran Parents" (parents who have successfully navigated the juvenile dependency court system) with parents who are involved with the system. The Veteran Parents provide support and help parents new to the system understand what they must do to successfully reunite with their children. The Lead Parent Ally is responsible for assisting the Parent for Parent Coordinator with the Parent for Parent program components. Job Duties Include: Parent for Parent staffing (P4P): Collaborate with the P4P Program Supervisor and P4P Coordinator to recruit, engage, train and monitor the Veteran Parent Outreach Specialists. Maintain contact with P4P Coordinator, especially in regards to issues pertaining to Volunteer Parent Allies. Data Entry help with recording and reporting on Volunteer Parent Allies training, services provided, and her/his compensated hours works; help track unpaid volunteer time related to the P4P Program. Assist in Volunteer Parent Ally interviews and selection process. Collaborate with the P4P Program Supervisor and P4P Coordinator to observe and assess the work of the Volunteer Parent Allies; provide additional coaching and support as needed. Participate in weekly supervision to discuss pertinent details regarding the program and to process issues that surface in the course of their work that may interfere with their work and/or personal well being. Shelter Care Hearings: Collaborate with court personnel to identify strategies for accessing the court docket in order to identify and reach out to parents attending Shelter Care Hearings. Ensure that all Shelter Care Hearings are covered with a Parent Ally, the Lead Parent Ally, or the P4P Coordinator. Ensure that accurate contact and demographic information is collected on all parents with whom outreach is made. Invite all parents with whom outreach is made to attend a Dependency 101 class. Provide parents with written materials about resources that can assist them in their case. Provide for telephone follow up to parents who have signed up for the class, first one week prior to the class, three days prior to the class and then one day immediately prior to the class. Dependency 101/201 Classes Ensure that each Dependency 101 class is covered by a representative from each system, and at least one Parent Ally, the P4P Coordinator, or Lead Parent Ally. Maintain up-to-date Dependency 101/201 curriculum. Make copies of program resource used in Dependency 101 and 201 Classes Ensure that all handouts for Dependency 101 and 201 classes are available for each class; ensure that folders and surveys are properly numbered. Ensure that snacks and other required materials are available for all Dependency 101 and 201 meetings. Work with the P4P Coordinator, court personnel and other system stakeholders to recruit and sign people up for the Dependency 101 classes. Invite/Provide reminders about upcoming Dependency 201 classes. Complete gathering of parent information, as needed, if not completed at Shelter Care Hearing. Ensure all pre/post surveys are completed and collected. Client Data: Help enter data in a database on all parents served, including names and contact information, demographic information, and records of contacts with parents, including telephone contacts, attendance at Dependency 101 class, and input from pre-and-post Dependency 101 surveys. Resource Bank Maintain sufficient supply of printed information on resources to be accessed by families. Ensure that folders for Dependency 101 class are accurately completed and available in sufficient supply for all classes. Community Make/coordinate Parent Ally presentations at child welfare forum, conferences, training, etc., as approved by P4P Supervisor and/or P4P Coordinator. Help the P4P Coordinator Coordinate P4P work with other parent ally work in the community, including the local Parent Advocacy Committee, Reunification Day, etc. Requires high school diploma or GED. Dependency case has been closed; satisfactory background check clearance and no criminal infractions since the case has been closed; accepts responsibility for issues that brought their child(ren) into care; demonstrated continuing attention to positive and healthy life style (ex. active in recovery, mental health, strong social support etc.); mentally and emotionally stable; ability to maintain confidentiality; time/capacity to meet the hours and needs of the program; ability to work independently and as a team player; ability to respect cultural diversity; motivated- able to follow directions, ask questions and learn assigned tasks; effective oral and written communication skills; positive attitude; ability to maintain good working relationships with courts, stakeholders and the community; respectful and considerate; dependable; solution-oriented versus problem-oriented; noted willingness to help others succeed; ability to maintain objectivity and professionalism; detail oriented; appropriate communication skills and able to accept supervision and coaching. Background Check must meet county criteria. At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.