MFT Parent Partner

Position Summary

The MiFamily Together (MFT) Parent Partner is an individual who has had previously opened child protective services (CPS) or foster care case with successful case closure and responsible for working with parents to promote engagement in case activities via weekly phone, video, or face-to-face contacts. This position is responsible for offering responsive, flexible services that meet families where they are. MFT fosters meaningful engagement and provides tailored support to help families thrive at any level of need.  This position will serve Kalamazoo County. 

Michigan’s Children’s Service Administration believes that children should live with their families whenever possible, and MFT will support the department’s goal to reduce the number of children who experience out-of-home care and the associated trauma of being removed from their family. MFT seeks to support the safety and wellbeing of these families such that risk to the child(ren) is reduced.

Wage: Up to $20.79/hour based on relevant life and work experience.

Are you passionate about discovering new ways to help empower people and make a difference in their lives?

If you’ve got what it takes to support us in our mission to provide help and create hope through innovative, collaborative, and diverse programs within the community, then we’ve got the right opportunity for you.

About Catholic Charities West Michigan

Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM) is a community-based agency providing programs in Western Michigan and offering a variety of services in family preservation, behavioral health, child welfare, and community outreach.

• CCWM is committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all staff are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
• CCWM encourages persons of diverse backgrounds and faiths to apply for employment.

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides services in accordance with the MFT contract requirements.
• Works with parents to promote engagement in case activities via weekly phone, video, or face-to-face contacts.
• Attends training as required within the program and agency.
• Coaches’ parents on what to expect throughout the child welfare process.
• Helps maintain connections between parents and children by observing and advocating for children and family rights.
• Assists the parents in identifying and advocating for their needs.
• Provides permanency, encouragement, outreach, and advocacy by connecting parents to resources within their communities.
• Assists parents in building protective factors.
• Works collaboratively with the MFT team to support the family and provide services.
• Completes all required MDHHS and MFT documentation within established timeframes.
• Supports families by attending Family Team Meetings or Team Decision Meetings, court hearings, treatment and recovery appointments, or other events with parents.
• Provides a monthly one-hour voluntary support group meeting to all caregivers engaged in Parent Partner services.
• Transports adults or children with parent(s) present utilizing personal vehicle, as needed.
• Drives for agency business.
• All other duties as assigned per supervisor’s request.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the staff member is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The staff member is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The staff member, on occasion, may be asked to move or lift items up to 40 pounds in weight.

Work Environment:

This position is primarily office based, however, on occasion may require travel to other Agency offices as required by position responsibilities and/or agency management. This position will be routinely exposed to typical office noise levels and/or exposure to various weather conditions.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties of the job.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A previously personal opened CPS or foster care case with successful case closure.
• A stable family situation without current Children’s Protective Services (CPS) substantiation for safety issues.
• No confirmed child abuse reported during the role of Parent Partner.
• Flexibility to attend meetings and facilitate groups including non-standard work hours such as evenings and weekends to meet client needs.
• Participation in mandated training(s), supervision, and team meetings.
• A willingness to share parenting experiences as a learning tool with other parents, community partners, and referring workers.
• This position requires reliable transportation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record with zero work restrictions.
• Must have personal auto insurance as required by law with minimum bodily injury coverage limits of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per incident or $500,000 combined. 
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule based on needs of the clients served. This may include working irregular hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Participation is required in initial and ongoing training provided by MDHHS and Agency.
• Not eligible for employment if convicted of any felony or placed on the Central Registry. If receives a new CPS complaint while employed, activities with MFT caregivers must be suspended until the investigation is complete. An investigation with confirmed abuse and neglect will result end of employment.

Recommended Employment Qualifications

Education:

None required.

Experience:

A minimum of 1 year of prior work experience working with children and/or families is preferred.

Professional Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

none required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Our Mission

Inspired by the Church's social teachings, Catholic Charities West Michigan fosters individuals and families to flourish by providing help and creating hope.

Our Vision

Catholic Charities West Michigan is called to create a just and compassionate community where all people can achieve their divine purpose.

Our Values

• Sanctity of All Life
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Respect
• Equity

CCWM is an equal opportunity employer, subject to all federal and state laws as applicable to a religious Agency.