House Parents provide foster care to children birth through six in our small agency-owned Neighborhood. House Parents live with four to five foster children and provide care in collaboration with other co-House Parents.
Service Activities
House Parents will work directly with abused, neglected and HIV+ children who are 6 years of age or younger at the time of placement. House Parents will do everything necessary to properly and safely care for, advocate for and generally meet the daily needs of the four to five children placed in the home. This will include direct hands-on care of the children, daily household tasks, paperwork, participation in appointments with physicians, psychologists, developmental specialists, therapists (speech, physical and occupational) and any other specialists as needed.
Community Need Addressed
Infants and young children in foster care face unique care needs and require caregivers who are equipped to meet those needs. There is a high need in our region for qualified caregivers to provide foster care for children who have experienced trauma (abuse, neglect, homelessness, etc.). House Parents provide loving, supportive care in a community setting after receiving comprehensive training to meet the unique needs of the children in care.
Position Outcomes
House Parents meet children's basic health and developmental needs while in care. This includes getting children caught up on check-ups, immunizations, and meeting unmet medical needs. House Parents ensure that children receive developmental screenings, therapy (if appropriate), and are provided with a developmentally stimulating environment. Attachment is at the core of our program; and House Parents build social and emotional skills while promoting children's primary attachments to biological parents.
Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Stipend, Training
End of service completion bonus: House Parents who successfully complete 12 months of service receive a one-time $2,000 bonus.
Education Benefits
Comprehensive training about the needs of children in our care is provided prior to service.
Certifications include: CPR/First Aid; Defensive Driving
Skills you will gain
Understanding of the child welfare system, interpersonal skills, adaptability
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment