House Parent (Bilingual)

The CHRIS 180 mission is to heal children, strengthen families and build community. We help children, adults and families who have experienced trauma change the direction of their lives to become more productive, self-sufficient members of the community. We do this through mental health counseling, training, providing safe housing and real-world skill building.

CHRIS 180 is committed to collaboration, use of the best available science, evidence-based practices, and a trauma informed organizational culture, policies and practices which facilitates and supports resiliency, recovery and self-sufficiency and that prevents trauma from occurring or reoccurring wherever possible.

CHRIS 180 Vision: High quality trauma informed behavioral health services and supports systems are available to all children, adults and families.

CHRIS 180 Values:

Creativity We are innovative agents of change identifying new solutions and approaches.

Honor We celebrate each person’s individuality and the gifts of diversity.

Respect We honor one another, treat each other with kindness and work together as a team.

Integrity We are transparent, trustworthy and accountable. Always.

Safety We create consistent environments free from danger in which people have the opportunity to grow and become the best they can be.

Organization Overview

Since 1981 CHRIS 180 has been dedicated to healing and recovery for children, youth, adults and families and is a growing $33 million organization with over 385 employees. CHRIS 180 services include: counseling for the community at large; school based mental health counseling; homes for abused, neglected foster children with emotional and behavioral problems who are in state custody; supportive housing for single and parenting young people, ages 17 – 24 who are homeless or aging out of foster care; in-home services and community programs that strengthen families; outreach, drop-in and community housing for older teens, young adults and young adult families; a community center; an adoption program for children in foster care; and, training for professionals, human service workers, educators, volunteers, individuals who work within the community, other organizations and children, youth and families. The goal for all services is to unlock the potential that resides in each person to help them become self-sufficient, contributing adults who have the skills to navigate life’s challenges.

Position Description

Being a house parent is more of a mission/calling than your occupation. This is a 24-hour a day responsibility, just like being a parent to your own children. Your schedule would be two weeks on and 2 weeks off. You must have an innate concern for the wellbeing of children and youth. You do not choose the children who will be placed in the home, so a good understanding of cultural differences and trauma informed care is important. You will be a paid staff member of CHRIS 180 as a foster parent receiving a salary living in a one of our Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) fully-furnished homes.

This is a year-round position. While living in the home you are provided a rent-free private bedroom, bathroom and living area and a vehicle to use. All utilities are paid for and meals are included with the children living in the home during your stay. Recreational activities involved with the children during your schedule are also paid for through household funds. You may receive up to 8 hours of specialized respite care during the week or one full weekend of specialized respite care a month. position also earns two weeks of paid vacation a year that may be taken without the children.

The House Parent functions as the live in therapeutic foster parent to the foster care children/youth living in the LIRS Home program. The foster children living in the home have trauma histories, behavioral health needs and have suffered abuse and neglect. This position is responsible for creating a healthy, positive, long-term family living environment for up to four children in the home to prepare for adoption or reunification. Under the supervision and direction of the Program Director of Adoption and Foster Care, the House Parent is responsible for all of the day to day operations of running the home such as overseeing financial operations of the home; assuring the home meets all regulatory standards; overall cleanliness of the home; coordination of home/youth activities and services provided; responsible for supervision of youth; overall record keeping required for the home; communications from/to the office, youth and outside service providers, etc.

Qualifications/Competencies

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED with relevant experience (preferably at least one year) in dealing with children and adolescents.
• Bi-lingual (fluent in English and Spanish verbally and written)
• Must be at least 25 years of age, (if applicable) and if married a minimum of two years unless approved by program manager.
• Has and will maintain a current Georgia’s driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
• The House Parent must be able to handle high stress; be well organized, have PC related skills, approaches and completes work with a high degree of detail and follow through; a direct and factual communication style; must be able to handle a variety of tasks and responsibilities during the day; ability to related to a wide variety of individuals and be able to work as part of a team with all providers and state agency partners.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/and other Characteristics:

• Has the conviction that people have the capacity to grow and change.
• Has the ability to establish positive relationships with children, youth and adults.
• Possesses sensitivity to the cultural differences that are present among the organization’s service population and staff.
• Has an ability to work in partnership with other members in a team approach.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written skills.
• Has an ability to manage time, set priorities and to organize and follow structured routines.
• Be physically able to perform Mindset training course.

HOW TO BECOME A HOUSE PARENT
If/once you are selected to be a house parent you will be asked to complete the foster parent certification process. To become an approved foster parent in the State of Georgia you will be required to complete some or all of the following process. The process of becoming a House Parent Caregiver with CHRIS 180 typically lasts between one to three months and includes these steps:

Certification Process

SUPPORT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
CHRIS 180 understands that the commitment to foster a child comes with great rewards — and great challenges. This is why we offer the benefits of supports and tangible resources to our LIRS to Adoption house parents.

These benefits include but are not limited to:

• Choice of monthly or weekly respite(time-off) relief
• Health Insurance and benefits (dental, vision, life)
• Relocation assistance
• Paid Housing
• Paid Utilities
• Paid Food
• Company vehicle to utilize for work travel and appointments.
• Paid membership to the local YMCA
• Access to free or reduced priced tickets to local events and attractions.

These supports include but are not limited to:

• Specialized trauma-informed training and 24-hour crisis intervention
• In-home support from Foster Care Specialist and treatment team
• Access to CHRIS Counseling Center with medication management assistance and therapy services.
• Assistance with linkage to age-appropriate resources and services

Schedule

This position requires a full week on and a full week off rotation in scheduling. This person will also have 2 weekends out of the month off. It may also require morning, evening and/or overnight hours. This position is a full-time employment opportunity. Flexibility is required based on the needs of this position.

Other

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Technical expertise that allows well informed decisions, usage of available tools and resources and training to execute job responsibilities
• Accountable for work being completed accurately and in a timely manner as well as following up as needed
• Ability to collaborate with other staff to ensure best practices and sound decisions
• Ability to communicate using appropriate tone when corresponding verbally or written (as well as proper usage of grammar and spelling)
• Ability to adapt and adjust to course and be open to new ideas
• Ability to manage workload by having a clear understanding of task/project and set realistic timelines and goals
• Commitment to our vision and mission should be demonstrated in work

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.