Parent Partner

FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES, INC.•Kalamazoo, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Parent Partner provides peer-based support, advocacy, and mentoring to caregivers involved in the child welfare system. Using lived experience, the Parent Partner builds respectful, nonjudgmental partnerships with caregivers to promote engagement, self-efficacy, and protective factors that support child safety and family stability. Working collaboratively with the MI Family Together team and system partners, the Parent Partner elevates the caregiver perspective, supports navigation of the child welfare system, and strengthens connections between families, community resources, and service providers.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Lived experience as a parent or caregiver involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), foster care, prevention services, and/or the public behavioral health system, with successful case closure.
Stable family situation with no current CPS substantiations related to child safety.
Willingness and ability to share lived parenting experience as a learning, engagement, and support tool for others.
Ability to build respectful, nonjudgmental relationships with families, community partners, and service providers.
Eligibility for and participation in all required MDHHS-approved Parent Partner training and certification curricula.
Valid driver’s license and required vehicle insurance.

Nice To Haves

Experience navigating complex service systems such as child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, special education, foster care, or related systems.
Prior experience providing peer support, advocacy, mentoring, or group facilitation.
Familiarity with community-based resources and systems of care.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing peer-based support to caregivers through phone, virtual, and face-to-face contact in accordance with program requirements, including required weekly contacts and at least one monthly face-to-face contact.
Meet, greet, and welcome families to the MI Family Together program and build trusting, respectful, and nonjudgmental relationships.
Utilize lived experience to provide encouragement, mentorship, and peer support to caregivers.
Coach parents on child welfare processes, expectations, and self-advocacy.
Help caregivers build confidence, recognize self-efficacy, and use their voice to advocate for their needs.
Communicate hope, celebrate successes, and reinforce progress toward family goals.
Support caregivers’ participation in meetings, court hearings, service-related activities, and collaborative planning.
Collaborate with families, MFT team, and other stakeholders to support Prevention Plans and desired outcomes.
Inform, empower, and link families to appropriate community services and resources.
Follow up with families to support referral completion and assess satisfaction with services.
Respond to caregiver needs in a timely and supportive manner.
Facilitate monthly voluntary caregiver support groups.
Facilitate groups, events, or activities as required by contract.
Use creative and flexible engagement strategies with families and stakeholders.
Complete accurate and timely case notes and required documentation in accordance with agency and MDHHS requirements.
Maintain files and records in compliance with agency quality monitoring and funding source standards.
Administer specific assistance funds in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Summarize accomplishments, progress, and next steps collaboratively with families and stakeholders.
Provide nonjudgmental, respectful support to families, colleagues, community partners, and service providers.
Honor family culture, strengths, values, and lived experience in all interactions.
Customize engagement and support approaches to fit each family’s unique needs, culture, and interests.
Assess and respond appropriately to immediate safety and stabilization needs, in coordination with the MFT team.
Perform other related duties as assigned.