Parent Partner, MyFamily Together Program

HATW•Livonia, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Parent Partner provides support, encouragement, and guidance to parents and caregivers participating in MiFamily Together services. Parent Partners use their own experience successfully navigating the child welfare system to provide hope and support to other parents as they navigate challenges, build confidence, and work toward their family goals. The Parent Partner works as part of the MiFamily Together team with Advocates, Interventionists, supervisors, MDHHS staff, and community partners. This role requires compassion, reliability, good communication skills, healthy boundaries, and the ability to share personal experiences in a helpful and appropriate way. Experience providing peer support, mentoring, advocacy, or helping others is preferred. Formal human services employment experience is not required.

Requirements

Must possess a valid driver’s license without restrictions and maintain appropriate automobile insurance
Must have previously experienced involvement with Child Protective Services or foster care as a parent or caregiver, with successful case closure
Must demonstrate a stable family situation with no current CPS substantiation for safety concerns
Ability and willingness to appropriately share personal experiences to support and encourage other parents
Ability to build positive relationships with families, staff, and community partners through strong communication, reliability, and follow-through
Ability to maintain healthy boundaries while supporting families
Must successfully complete all required background checks, in accordance with agency, licensing, and program requirements.
Prior criminal history will be reviewed consistent with program requirements and does not automatically prevent employment eligibility.
Must not be listed on the Central Registry as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect
A new CPS complaint or investigation may impact the ability to provide Parent Partner services and will be reviewed consistent with program requirements

Nice To Haves

Experience providing peer support, mentoring, advocacy, or helping others is preferred.
Formal human services employment experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Use personal experience with the child welfare system to provide hope, understanding, and support to MiFamily Together families facing similar challenges
Help parents understand and navigate child welfare processes, expectations, meetings, and available services
Help parents recognize strengths, build skills, strengthen relationships, and connect with community resources and supports
Support parents before and during meetings, court hearings, appointments, and other activities by helping them understand expectations and advocate for their needs
Work collaboratively with the MiFamily Together team and external partners such as MDHHS workers and other service providers and provide feedback to the MiFamily Together team regarding family strengths, progress, and support needs.
Share caregiver perspectives with professionals to support better understanding of family experiences
Share personal experiences in a helpful and appropriate way while maintaining healthy professional boundaries
Participate in supervision, training, and team meetings and demonstrate the ability to accept and apply feedback
Maintain confidentiality and respect for all families served
Support families experiencing stress, conflict, and challenges while remaining calm, respectful, and professional
Follow agency policies, confidentiality requirements, and MiFamily Together program expectations
Complete required case notes and maintain accurate records of family contacts and support provided