JOB SUMMARY:

The Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) is an approach based on relationships by strengthening foster care and refocusing on excellent parenting for all children in the child welfare system. QPI supports resource families and kin by clearly articulating the high expectations the system has for them. QPI works with the child welfare system and other key stakeholders to provide relevant tools, resources, practices, and policies that help resource parents be success. QPI enables caregivers, agency staff, and birth parents to work as a team to support children and youth.

Key job tasks/duties/responsibilities of Quality Parenting Initiative Specialist

1. Function as part of the larger CUA team responsible for achieving the target goals of improving safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families.

2. Attend QPI meetings

3. Attend QPI conferences

4. Evaluate training videos pertaining to QPI, and how they can be implemented within the surrounding areas

5. Collaborate with partnering agencies in designing Parent Cafés that bring biological parents and resource parents together for discussions

6. Facilitate QPI Icebreaker meetings

7. Facilitate meetings between subcontractor agencies to assist with the growth of the QPI mission

8. Work collaboratively with the CUA Team in identifying biological parents and resource parents that can benefit from QPI

9. Identifying potential Bio parents and Resource parents that we can create a group model to start the QPI program

10. Track biological and resource parents that are going through QPI to assess their process

11. Host events and support groups that will strengthen the relationships between biological and resource parents

12. Be the point of contact between biological and resource parents

13. Identify issues that are creating the disconnect between biological and resource parents

14. Create Life Books for children in care

15. Be able establish relationships with both the bio/foster parents where they can feel comfortable to come to our events, support groups and icebreakers.

16. Function as part of the larger CUA team responsible for achieving the target goals of improving safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families.

17. Perform other duties that support the mission of APM and the CUA program.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related field and two (2) or more years of work and/or internship experience required. Applicants without a Bachelor’s require five (5) or more years of work and/or internship experience
2. Proficiency in English and Spanish preferred
3. At least two years’ experience in social services setting working in parent education preferably
4. Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, Request for Criminal Clearance, FBI clearances, Valid PA driver’s license and driving record no more than 60 days old. Medical Exam must be completed within one year of employment
5. Knowledge of social services, child welfare and family systems services
6. Culturally sensitive to the needs and diversities of multi-cultural communities
7. Knowledge of community resources and ability to work as a team member
8. Practices good customer service skills in all working relationships
9. Experience facilitating public meetings, and other public forums
10. Strong interpersonal skills, respectful, and courteous nature
11. Strong writing and oral presentations skills
12. An applied understanding of social work ethics and confidentiality
13. Must demonstrate genuine empathy and concern for individuals as indicated in our corporate vision, mission and values statements
14. Able to work independently, demonstrating good judgment and prioritizing
15. Ability to attend evening and weekend community events and meetings without incurring difficulty
16. Maintain a high degree of discretion dealing with confidential information
17. Skills in typing, basic computer operations, Microsoft, PowerPoint, Excel

KEY COMPENTENCIES:

• Planning and organizing

• Problem assessment and problem solving

• Information gathering and information monitoring

• Ability to work in a flexible schedule and adapt to changing situations

• Ability to set priorities in critical situations.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team.

• Strong Customer Service insight.

• Must be accurate and detail oriented

Benefits

• Medical Insurance or $100/month medical insurance waiver reimbursement
• 403b retirement plan:   4% APM contribution PLUS 3% APM matching contribution
• Vision
• Dental
• 20 PTO Days
• Holiday Pay
• Life Insurance
• Long and Short-term Disability