Cottage Parents Laura's Homes

Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina•Shelby, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Baptist Children's Homes of NC, Inc. provides cottage homes where professionally trained parents care for children in a Christian family environment. The nonprofit organization is nationally accredited and uses the Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) trauma-informed model to help children find healing. Its core principles are trauma-informed, relationship-based, family-involved, ecologically oriented, developmentally focused, and competence-centered care. The Cottage Parent demonstrates the agency's purpose, philosophy, policies, and procedures; works as part of a team; and oversees the daily activities and needs of children in care. The role involves supervising and maintaining individual and group relationships in an assigned cottage. Cottage Parents work two weeks on duty and two weeks off, live on the agency's premises, and must be available 24 hours a day while on duty.

Requirements

At least 25 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience as a residential Cottage Parent, or demonstrated ability and motivation to learn and practice basic child-care skills.
Valid driver's license and ability to operate an agency vehicle to transport children.
Ability to manage, plan, organize, implement, monitor, and maintain agency programs and adhere to accreditation standards and North Carolina licensing requirements.
Meets the agency's general employment qualifications as outlined in its personnel policies.
Ability to work with Microsoft applications and standard kitchen equipment.
Ability to drive a 15-passenger van and get in and out of it unassisted.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule instructions and draw conclusions.
Ability to read, write, and complete necessary documentation.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisors, parents, teachers, counselors, team members, and others within the scope of child care.
Ability to live on the agency's premises and be available 24 hours a day while on duty.
Ability to drive and get in and out of a 15-passenger van unassisted, walk up and down stairs, sit, stand, reach, talk, hear, and lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to handle confidential child and family information in accordance with agency policies and HIPAA regulations.

Responsibilities

Supervise children in care individually and as a group.
Serve as a Christian role model and provide spiritual guidance and a Christian environment, including daily devotions and regular church attendance.
Provide daily care and prepare balanced meals according to agency menus and nutritional requirements.
Establish cottage structure that helps children learn responsibility and self-regulation and become functioning members of the cottage.
Create an atmosphere in which children feel accepted and respected as members of the group.
Encourage and participate in school activities; assist with homework and educational planning; and maintain contact with teachers.
Encourage children to plan, set, and achieve personal goals, providing positive direction.
Follow clothing-program guidelines, supervise appropriate clothing, evaluate clothing needs, and purchase clothing with supervisor approval.
Participate in evaluating children in care with the Case Manager/Clinician and Regional/Area Director.
Purchase or requisition materials and supplies needed to operate the cottage.
Maintain a safe home environment, instructing the group in safety, fire prevention, drills, and evacuation plans.
Plan events for children, including informal play, special events, and group activities.
Comply with OSHA, food-program, accreditation, and North Carolina licensing safety requirements.
Transport children to activities and appointments, including school, work, church, and medical appointments.
Participate with the team in developing and implementing strategies that promote learning, self-discipline, and value change using the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and CARE models.
Use discipline techniques that provide positive direction and promote children's self-regulation.
Work with families in accordance with agency philosophy, recognizing parents as worthy individuals and promoting parent-child relationships.
Represent the agency professionally and maintain agency professional standards.
Build and maintain relationships with teams in the family services area; respect team members' rights and keep them informed of changes in the cottage.
Work under the assigned supervisor and respect the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of staff and children.
Participate in the agency's Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program as needed.
Inform the Case Manager/Clinician and Regional/Area Director of incidents involving children; continuously monitor children and maintain records.
Keep knowledge and skills current in residential child care and programs for children and families, and participate in required in-service training.
Maintain handbooks and support materials and ensure incidents are properly recorded.
Comply with confidentiality policies and HIPAA regulations concerning client information.
Read, write, and complete required documentation and communicate effectively with supervisors, parents, teachers, counselors, team members, and others within the scope of child care.