WISe Family Partner

Akin (formerly Childhaven)•Vancouver, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Akin partners with children, families, and communities to build relationships and support well-being so everyone can thrive. Through our early learning programs, we create inclusive, nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. The WISe Family Partner uses their own experiences as the parent/caregiver of a child who has experienced trauma and/or significant emotional/behavioral issues, and involvement in one or more child serving systems, to deliver direct supportive services to parents/caregivers of a child referred to or receiving wraparound services. The WISe Family Partner ensures that parent/caregiver/family voice and choice is understood and used by other wraparound team members; connects families to supports and resources within their community and engages family in the wraparound process. Advocates for family needs within the team and community; provides services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations. This position has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

Requirements

Lived experience as a parent/caregiver to a child who has experienced trauma and/or significant emotional or behavioral challenges, with involvement in at least one child-serving system (e.g., special education, early intervention, child welfare)
A track record of positive child and family outcomes drawn from that experience
Ability to connect authentically with families who may feel marginalized or overwhelmed, and to help them find and use their voice
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; strong typing skills
Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and belonging; demonstrated openness to learning and contributing to an equitable workplace
Have or obtain the Peer Counselor Certification from the State of Washington within 6 months of hire (Akin will support with the process to obtain this certification)
Proof of CPR and First Aid Certification is required within 30 days
A one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor, or a negative chest x-ray must be provided
HIV/AIDS and blood borne pathogens training required within 30 days
A valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a peer support role

Responsibilities

Ensure the voice and choice of each parent or guardian is articulated, respected, and honored throughout every phase of the WISe process
Work alongside parents and guardians who may feel uncertain or underqualified, building their confidence to assertively describe their perspectives on their child’s strengths and needs
Ensure family hopes, concerns, and goals are captured respectfully in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool
Assess and review the family’s ability to communicate their own position and preferences, and actively support their participation in care planning
Advocate, support, and encourage caregivers to voice their needs, concerns, and strengths within the team and broader community
Meets with families regularly, communicating compassion, support, respect, and enthusiasm for their progress
Listen to each family’s story and, with them, identify their strengths, needs, preferences, and goals
Draw on your own lived experience as a parent or caregiver to build rapport, establish trust, and co-create meaningful strategies
Work with families to identify and engage natural supports in the wraparound process
Coach and educate families to build communication, system navigation, and self-regulation skills that help them take effective advantage of treatment while honoring their personal goals
Model effective system, service, and team interactions and behavior
Share de-escalation strategies for parents (for themselves and their children) during crises, developed and implemented collaboratively with the whole team
Coordinate parent coaching and strategies with the clinician and other team members
Model and coach families to grow their confidence and ability to advocate for and manage services and supports for their own family
Assist caregivers in navigating systems and resources by drawing on lived experience and practical strategies for working across different systems
Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings in family homes and the community, providing parenting support, sharing information about community resources, and assisting families in linking to those resources
Brainstorm and negotiate strategies that build on family strengths and connect them to the right support
Help families analyze their progress toward goals and encourage their feedback to other team members
Participate in rotating after-hours crisis on-call coverage, providing timely response and support to youth and families outside of regular business hours
Collaborate with CFT members and complete assigned tasks on the care plan relevant to this role
Communicate with the team about progress and completion of assigned tasks
Provide a range of supportive interventions and activities as agreed with the family and documented in the cross-system care plan
Maintain productivity standards for direct service as established for the position
Ensure timely collection of statistical information for funding sources and program evaluations
Ensure compliance with all Akin policies, applicable contracts, and Federal, State, and local confidentiality requirements
Perform documentation reviews and self-audits as required by the WISe supervisor and/or Manager or as needs arise
Participate in scheduled supervision, team meetings, and administrative meetings; utilize reflective supervision to support professional growth and quality client care
Remain current with all professional development and licensure requirements