Parent Partner

About the role

A Parent Partner uses their lived experience navigating the child welfare system to support parents who are walking a similar path today. The role strengthens families, reduces the need for out-of-home placement, supports reunification, and helps families build lasting stability through a coordinated, whole-family approach.

Responsibilities

• Navigate unfamiliar processes and expectations for parents involved in child welfare, behavioral health, and educational systems
• Support parents as they advocate for themselves and their children, participate in important meetings, and work toward their goals
• Help families recognize their strengths and build protective factors
• Facilitate difficult conversations and help parents identify strengths and opportunities for growth
• Build connections that last through resource navigation, educational groups, and community connections

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Personal experience as a parent or caregiver who has successfully navigated the child welfare system, including an open CPS or foster care case with successful case closure
• Comfort working independently and collaboratively, navigating community resources, facilitating difficult conversations, and helping parents identify strengths and opportunities for growth
• Experience with trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices is valued, and bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus
• Ability to build trust quickly, communicate effectively, and support families while maintaining professional boundaries
• Comfort with effectively leading a virtual meeting of a group parents is expected, with training provided on the technological and interpersonal aspects of running a successful meeting

Education

A high school diploma or GED is preferred.

Experience

Applicants must have personal experience as a parent or caregiver who has successfully navigated the child welfare system, including an open CPS or foster care case with successful case closure, and must have no current CPS safety concerns or substantiated safety issues.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Preference will be given to applicants who reside within the assigned service area
• Must meet all position requirements, including required background, CPS, driving record, and post-offer screenings
• Maintain a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and required insurance coverage
• Possess the technology skills necessary to complete documentation and communicate with families
• Be able to maintain a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed
• Reasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable law

Note

A felony on record is not cause for immediate disqualification, but considered on a case by case basis.

Work environment

• Combines work performed from a home office or other designated workspace, including virtual visits with parents
• Required to perform some in-home visits and community outreach throughout the service area
• The role requires flexibility, independent travel with mileage paid, and comfort working in a variety of home and community environments
• This may include homes with multiple occupants, pets, environmental considerations, or heightened emotional stress related to family circumstances
• Evening and occasional weekend availability may be required to accommodate families' schedules
• Regular travel occurs in varying weather conditions

Why Wellspring?

Your experience can help a parent feel less alone. Your encouragement can help a family keep moving forward. Your support can help create stability, strengthen relationships, and improve outcomes for children.