Professional Respite House Parent

Responsible for supporting licensed foster parents while parenting a cottage of six foster clients within the Program Cottages of the organization.

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years relevant child care experience
• At least 21 years of age
• Strong general knowledge of child and youth development and the child welfare system
• Flexibility to handle various program responsibilities
• Computer proficiency:
  Proficient in Excel, Word, and Outlook

• Ensure all care of all clients, procedures, rules, regulations, standards, and operating protocol are in compliance with organizational and contractual policies and DCF regulations at all times.
• Maintain accurate record keeping in charts, logbooks, records and licensing compliance to assure that best practices are in place and being utilized at all times.
• Maintain all required trainings within required time frames.
• Responsible for meeting and ensuring all physical needs, medical needs, mental health needs, and any other areas of growth and concern of clients, including necessary crisis intervention.
• Respond to emergencies as per emergency plans and protocol.
• Provide on-going monitoring and supervision of all clients at all times.
• Assure safe environment for residents, employees, and visitors. Consider the safety aspects of household conditions and activities. Report any safety concerns in writing to the case coordinator and Director of Clinical Services.
• Instruct clients in independent living skills such as obtaining employment, comparative shopping, use of public transportation, and other necessary skills.
• Provide and model proper upkeep and cleanliness of home, furnishings, and agency vehicles.
• Provide transportation to appointments/sessions (and in medical emergencies as appropriate).
• Care for clients that are homebound due to illness or school discipline if possible.
• Provide input into development of individual service plans, goals, and outcome measurements with guidance from the Director of Clinical Services and in accordance with the program.
• Support the social, educational, moral, emotional, spiritual, and cultural growth for all clients and act in the capacity of role model for these areas of development.
• Proactively compliment and encourage clients on doing something well in order to build self-confidence and respect. Describe appropriate skills and behaviors and practice same.
• Implement consequences or nonphysical discipline for appropriate or inappropriate behaviors in accordance with program.
• Teach clients appropriate social skills such as following instructions, giving and accepting feedback, greeting and conversational skills, helping others, and proper manners.
• Assist with providing moral and educational development for clients in their care.
• Attend or take clients to enriching services, extracurricular activities, meetings and events.
• Monitor school attendance and assess performance to ensure academic success for all clients.
• Ensure clients’ participation in tutoring, remediation and/or special academic programs as needed.
• Follow established schedule for tutors, mentors, and other volunteers.
• Assist clients with homework and other school projects and assignments. Discuss performance with clients. Monitor home study time. Assist with assignments
• Advocate for clients’ needs within the school system as needed.
• Identify and assist with developing career plans and developing employment contacts for client.
• Teach and reinforce good study habits and the importance of education.
• Maintain a productive and positive atmosphere for study at the assigned times.
• Follow established management of occupied homes including budgeting and maintaining receipts for expenditures, record keeping as required, menu planning…