Parent Peer Mentor

Ain Dah Yung Our Home Center•St.Paul, MN

10d•$50,500

About The Position

Position Summary: The Parent Mentor works directly with families and caregivers who are experiencing the child protections system. This person must have lived experience navigating the child protection system. They would provide peer-to-peer support for families facing challenges within child protection services. The parent mentor’s role offers guidance, emotional support, and practical resources while fostering the development of parent leadership skills. This position is crucial in empowering families to navigate child protection processes, build strong support systems, and advocate for their children’s well-being.

Requirements

Tribal enrollment or strong connection to the tribal community.
Lived experience with the child protection system, with a personal understanding of the challenges parents face in these circumstances.
Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build trust with families.
Experience in leadership, mentoring, or coaching others, particularly parents.
Knowledge of resources and services available for families in child protection, including legal, social, and community support services.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and navigate sensitive issues with compassion and professionalism.
Commitment to empowering families and supporting their growth as leaders within their community.
A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in the urban American Indian community.
You must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Peer Support and Guidance: Offer one-on-one peer support to families involved in child protection cases, providing a safe, understanding, and non-judgmental space.
Share lived experience to help parents better understand and navigate the child protection system.
Assist families in managing emotional challenges, stress, and trauma associated with child protection cases.
Facilitate ongoing communication with families, helping them access information, understand their rights, and navigate available services.
Parent Leadership Development: Empower parents by coaching them on how to advocate for their children’s needs within the child protection system.
Encourage and model self-advocacy, decision-making, and leadership skills.
Offer workshops, group sessions, or individual coaching to help parents build leadership capabilities and confidence in advocating for their family’s needs.
Provide resources and tools to enhance parenting skills, focusing on building stronger, healthier family dynamics.
Collaboration and Referrals: Connect families with additional resources such as counseling, parenting classes, housing support, legal assistance, and other community services.
Collaborate with child protection agencies, social workers, and community organizations to ensure families are supported holistically.
Serve as a liaison between families and child welfare professionals, ensuring families’ voices and concerns are heard and understood.
Cultural and Community Engagement: Ensure culturally appropriate support, respecting and incorporating the values, traditions, and practices of the tribal communities.
Incorporate traditional knowledge, practices, and teachings in support strategies, helping families feel connected to their heritage and community.
Foster a community of support for parents through peer groups, group activities, or community events.
Ongoing Professional Development: Participate in regular training, workshops, and professional development opportunities to stay updated on best practices in child protection and peer support.
Stay informed on community resources and changes in child welfare laws or policies that may impact families.