Parent Partner

Wayside • Framingham, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Parent Partner provides hope, information, encouragement and one-to-one support to parents of children with emotional/behavioral health issues that are receiving services from Wayside Academy’s 220 day/12 month setting. They will apply their personal experience being a parent, caregiver, guardian, grandparent, or foster care parent raising a child with mental health challenges and their current or past experience accessing special education or related services for their child to help guardians effectively partner with school staff and participate in their child’s education process. They will contribute, through a team approach, to providing a learning environment which is physically safe and intellectually open and in keeping with special education best practices. The Parent Partner will act as the first point of contact for the guardians of prospective students and assist Academy management in scheduling and completing tours and information sessions for referred students. This position is Full Time with options for a flexible schedule and potential for work from home.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or equivalent is required
• Personal experience being a parent, caregiver, guardian, grandparent, or foster care parent raising a child with mental health challenges and their current or past experience accessing special education or related services.
• TCI, CPR, First Aid training upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Non-profit organization experience and work history within child serving systems also strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Academy management in the referral process through contacting the guardians of prospective students, tracking said contact in the referral log, and scheduling and supporting tours and information sessions with guardians.
• Provide group, family and individual counseling intervention for guardians.
• Facilitate monthly virtual Parent Advisory Committee meetings, parent trainings and engagement opportunities with school staff and events.
• Consult and collaborate with teachers/parents regarding students’ needs to ensure appropriate resources are identified/implemented.
• Consult and collaborate with teachers/parents regarding guardian needs and communications.
• Document individual and group counseling sessions as well as all other required assessments, training and outcome measurement tools.
• Assists caregivers in planning for the strengths and needs of their child; as well as accessing resources, services/supports.
• The Parent Partner helps caregivers in preparation, scheduling and transportation to school meetings, events, trainings, and related meetings.
• Other responsibilities include timely submission of all required paperwork and developing/ maintaining strong communication with other team members within the Academy.
• Attend program functions and parent engagement opportunities as scheduled
• Participate in scheduled engagement activities with students.

Benefits

• sign-on bonus (half paid after 6 months of employment and half paid after 1 year of employment/pro-rated for part-time)
• flexible schedule
• potential for work from home

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED