The Home Parent provides warm and caring professional parenting interactions for 6-8 youth in care. Interactions and responses to youth are informed by knowledge of the complex issues faced by youth in care and by an understanding that youth need to be equipped to resolve their family issues and to prepare themselves for future success.

Core Responsibilities

The Home Parent will have a working knowledge of each youth’s daily behaviors and his Plan of Service goals and interact with youth accordingly.

The Home Parent will follow the home routine as formally agreed upon.

The Home Parent will have a working knowledge of and will implement motivational system.

The Home Parent will have a working knowledge of Love and Logic material and will  use those skills and language to enhance interactions with youth.

The Home Parent will create an intentional community of learning, emphasizing the value of education and promoting active involvement in a variety of learning activities. This includes full involvement with processes that prepare youth for adult living, afterschool programs, summer programs, daily homework completion, reading for enjoyment. 

The Home Parent will have a working knowledge of strength-focused with youth and families and will utilize the language and

approaches.  

The Home Parent will document all serious incidents and turn in to GHS within 24 hours.

The Home Parent will administer medications as directed by physician, and will maintain up to date and accurate records of all medications administered.

The Home Parent will insure that youth are available for all appointments for therapy, medical, dental, etc. If an appointment must be missed the Home Parent will notify the appropriate person with as much advance notice as possible.

The Home Parent will work with the GHS to maintain a weekly schedule of activities for youth in the home.

The Home Parent will attend and participate in shift change meetings and all other relevant meetings as assigned.

The Home Parent will coordinate with the GHS to communicate with parents, using strength based language to promote attainment of family/youth goals.

Home Parent will complete all documentation in a timely manner and maintain copies for immediate review by GHS or DFPS representative

Home Parent will maintain complete and accurate records (including all receipts) of expenditures of PCHAS funds, submitting them in a timely manner in accord with local campus schedules for review and reconciliation.

The Home Parent will maintain the home so that it is suitable for State inspections at any given time.

The Home Parent will work cooperatively with team members to insure responsibilities are being carried out.

The Home Parent will involve youth in the creation of weekly menus and food purchasing.

The Home Parent maintains school documentation and attends school meetings and informs of outcomes

The Home Parent will inform the GHS (or receptionist – when agreed upon) when away from the home.

The Home Parent will complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education training each year and provide documentation of such to the HR representative.

The Home Parent will share supervision responsibilities of residents across all activities (playground, tutoring, doctors appt. outings, etc.)

A bachelors degree in a Human Services field from an accredited college or university is preferred, a minimum of a high school diploma is required, plus one or more years of experience in working with children or youth. Must be at least 21 years of age.

Skills
Must be well organized and self motivated

Must be able to prioritize and meet timelines, completing assignments and projects in a timely manner.

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills

Must have knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Quicken, Excel

Must demonstrate the ability to work harmoniously with others as a member of a team.

Must improve skills over time through training and professional development processes.

Working Conditions

Must be able to work extended hours when necessary.

May be required to provide awake-night staffing in emergency situations.

Must regularly be on call for the group home children when on duty but children in care are away from the home. 

Work environment is high energy, high stress including the possibility of verbal and or physical aggression from youth in care.

Moderate risk of exposure to infectious diseases.

Must be able to see, hear and respond to youth in multiple settings.

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services is a faith-based Christian organization. We provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need. We strive to serve like Jesus. We meet our clients where they are and treat them with respect. We focus on our clients’ strengths rather than their problems. And we encourage our clients to focus on their future rather than their past. When we do this well, we help our clients find hope and know the love of God.