Parent Partner

Wellspring Lutheran Services•Clare, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As part of Michigan's MiFamily Together (MFT) program, Parent Partners use their lived experience navigating the child welfare system to support parents facing similar circumstances. The program is designed to strengthen families, reduce the need for out-of-home placement, support reunification, and help families build lasting stability through a coordinated, whole-family approach. The Parent Partner shares their experience thoughtfully and professionally, offers nonjudgmental support and encouragement, and helps parents navigate child welfare, behavioral health, and educational systems. They support caregivers in advocating for themselves and their children, participating in important meetings, recognizing their strengths, building self-advocacy skills, accessing resources, and working toward family goals. The role provides peer support and advocacy, not childcare, child supervision, or child transportation. The position serves Midland and Gladwin counties and is hybrid. Work includes a home office or other designated workspace, virtual visits, in-home visits, and community outreach. It requires independent travel and flexibility to meet families in varied home and community environments. Evening, weekend, holiday, and overtime availability may be needed as circumstances require. The listed salary is $40,000 per year.

Requirements

Personal experience as a parent or caregiver involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) or the foster care system, with the applicant's case successfully closed with a positive outcome.
No current CPS investigations, open CPS cases, or unresolved child safety concerns.
Meet position requirements, including required background, CPS, driving-record, and post-offer screenings.
Maintain a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and required insurance coverage.
Have the technology skills needed to complete documentation and communicate with families.
Be able to maintain a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
Ability to build trust quickly, communicate effectively, and support families while maintaining professional boundaries.
Comfort working independently and collaboratively, navigating community resources, facilitating difficult conversations, and helping parents identify strengths and opportunities for growth.
Comfort leading virtual meetings for groups of parents; training on the technological and interpersonal aspects of successful meetings is provided.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Residence within the assigned service area is preferred.
Experience with trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices is valued.
Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Share lived experience thoughtfully and professionally to help parents feel understood, reduce isolation, and demonstrate that positive outcomes are possible.
Support parents involved with child welfare, behavioral health, and educational systems as they navigate processes and expectations.
Provide encouragement and guidance while maintaining professional boundaries.
Help caregivers identify strengths, build protective factors, develop self-advocacy skills, and participate in decisions affecting their families.
Help families navigate resources, educational groups, and community connections to reduce barriers and increase stability.
Support parents as they advocate for themselves and their children, participate in meetings, and work toward their goals.
Lead virtual group meetings for parents.
Complete documentation and communicate with families using required technology.
Travel independently for in-home visits and community outreach throughout the service area.