Parent Partner

SUMMARY

The Parent Partner provides peer-based support, advocacy, and mentoring to caregivers involved in the child welfare system. Using lived experience, the Parent Partner builds respectful, nonjudgmental partnerships with caregivers to promote engagement, self-efficacy, and protective factors that support child safety and family stability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Peer Support, Engagement & Advocacy:
  • Provide ongoing peer-based support to caregivers through phone, virtual, and face-to-face contact in accordance with program requirements, including required weekly contacts and at least one monthly face-to-face contact.
  • Meet, greet, and welcome families to the MI Family Together program and build trusting, respectful, and nonjudgmental relationships.
  • Utilize lived experience to provide encouragement, mentorship, and peer support to caregivers.
  • Coach parents on child welfare processes, expectations, and self-advocacy.
  • Help caregivers build confidence, recognize self-efficacy, and use their voice to advocate for their needs.
  • Communicate hope, celebrate successes, and reinforce progress toward family goals.
• Support for Family Participation & Service Coordination:
  • Support caregivers’ participation in meetings, court hearings, service-related activities, and collaborative planning.
  • Collaborate with families, MFT team, and other stakeholders to support Prevention Plans and desired outcomes.
  • Inform, empower, and link families to appropriate community services and resources.
  • Follow up with families to support referral completion and assess satisfaction with services.
  • Respond to caregiver needs in a timely and supportive manner.
• Groups, Activities & Community Engagement:
  • Facilitate monthly voluntary caregiver support groups.
  • Facilitate groups, events, or activities as required by contract.
  • Use creative and flexible engagement strategies with families and stakeholders.
• Documentation, Funds Administration & Compliance:
  • Complete accurate and timely case notes and required documentation in accordance with agency and MDHHS requirements.
  • Maintain files and records in compliance with agency quality monitoring and funding source standards.
  • Administer specific assistance funds in accordance with program policies and procedures.
  • Summarize accomplishments, progress, and next steps collaboratively with families and stakeholders.
• Professional Conduct & Ethical Practice:
  • Provide nonjudgmental, respectful support to families, colleagues, community partners, and service providers.
  • Honor family culture, strengths, values, and lived experience in all interactions.
  • Customize engagement and support approaches to fit each family’s unique needs, culture, and interests.
  • Assess and respond appropriately to immediate safety and stabilization needs, in coordination with the MFT team.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education, Experience, & Qualifications:
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Lived experience as a parent or caregiver involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), foster care, prevention services, and/or the public behavioral health system, with successful case closure.
  • Stable family situation with no current CPS substantiations related to child safety.
  • Willingness and ability to share lived parenting experience as a learning, engagement, and support tool for others.
  • Ability to build respectful, nonjudgmental relationships with families, community partners, and service providers.
  • Eligibility for and participation in all required MDHHS-approved Parent Partner training and certification curricula.
• Certifications/Licenses:
  • Valid driver’s license and required vehicle insurance.

Restrictions & Eligibility

Not eligible for employment if convicted of any felony or listed on the Michigan Central Registry. Parent Partner activities must be suspended during any CPS investigation involving the employee. A confirmed finding of abuse or neglect results in immediate ineligibility to provide services. Parent Partners may not work independently with children, transport children, or supervise visits.