Adoptive Parent Consultant- Kalamazoo

Join to apply for the Adoptive Parent Consultant – Kalamazoo County role at D.A. Blodgett – St. John's

Base pay range: $18.00/hr – $20.00/hr

To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support.

A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family.

• Exceptional Service:
  Client‑focused and teaming at the center of our work.
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion:
  All are welcomed, valued, and belong.
• Excellence:
  Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
• Integrity:
  Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
• Creativity:
  Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
• Passion:
  Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision.

• Nonviolence:
  Maintaining safety for all members of the community.
• Emotional Intelligence:
  Managing emotions so we don’t hurt ourselves or others.
• Social Learning:
  Together we accomplish more, we care for one another.
• Democracy:
  Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote.
• Open Communication:
  Respecting and sharing ideas of our team.
• Social Responsibility:
  Say what you mean, don’t be mean when you say it.
• Growth & Change:
  Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve.

The Adoptive Parent Consultant partners with adoptive parents to access support, information, and community resources needed to support the lifelong wellbeing of adoptive families. Services are provided via phone, text, direct messaging, e‑mail, video conferencing, and/or in person. The primary functions of this part‑time, 18‑20 hours per week hybrid position include moderation of virtual support groups, facilitation and assistance with parent partners and agencies to develop support groups, reflective listening and responsiveness to needs presented by adoptive parents, community outreach and collaboration, and ongoing learning to best serve adoptive families.

The role reports to the AFSN Supervisor.

• Respond to contacts, provide support and/or resources, and follow up in a timely manner.
• Cultivate inclusive and equitable relationships with diverse adoptive families, community partners, colleagues, and public and private agencies.
• Organize and host recruitment and retention activities that are client‑driven, culturally relevant, and accessible to all adoptive families.
• Facilitate or develop community‑based support groups.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure culturally responsive care and programming.
• Identify local and regional resources relevant to the needs of adoptive families.
• Participate in ongoing learning opportunities to problem‑solve and exchange knowledge with other APCs and parent leaders across Michigan.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and linguistic differences in all interactions with youth and families.
• Participate in AFSN team meetings twice per month virtually and in person twice annually.
• Participate in bi‑weekly supervision with the AFSN Supervisor twice per month.
• Document client data and contacts as specified by AFSN.
• Maintain a monthly log of community events and activities hosted or attended.
• Act as a cultural bridge between youth, families, and community groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Participate in boards or committees to collaborate, network, and build community partnerships.
• Travel as required for scheduled meetings, training, and in‑person community events.

General direction—plans and arranging own work. Uses a wide range of procedures to accomplish assigned objectives.

No supervisory responsibilities.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of direct lived experience with adoption (in Michigan, another state, or internationally) or guardianship of a child in Michigan; experience as a foster parent or relative caregiver may be considered.
• Knowledge of community resources and support for adoptive parents.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, good driving record, and proof of automobile insurance.
• Understanding and sensitivity to socioeconomic characteristics of clients, with the ability to build meaningful relationships across cultures.
• Kno…