URBAN INDIAN CHILD WELFARE PARENT MENTOR (2) - FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

URBAN INDIAN CHILD WELFARE PARENT MENTOR (2)

FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES

Open: May 17, 2021

Closing: June 1, 2021 @ 12:00 p.m.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

This position will be an essential piece of a new program through Ombimindwa Urban office, the Community Hub Grant. The Community Hub will provide culturally grounded support to children of pre-school and elementary school age and their families who are currently experiencing the child welfare systems off-homeland in the Twin Cities urban area. Primary objective is for families and children to have strong, Red Lake based supports to support reunification of parent(s) and child(ren). Program will also support relative caregivers who are temporarily caring for children, focusing on building kinship bonds and connections between all members of the family system. Reports to Urban Indian Child Welfare Team Lead Social Worker, full-time positions w/benefits, Salary; DOQ.

Parent Mentors will provide supervised visitation, parenting support, sobriety support and support for parenting navigating the child welfare system. Ideally, a Parent Mentor is someone who has lived experience in the child welfare system and can share this lived experience with families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide supervised visitation for families

• Participate in early childhood development training and other training as offered and required by the grant

• Give rides to and from visits, community events

• Help Program Coordinator coordinate, facilitate family nights and events

• Engage in community events with families

• Plan and coordinate outings for families

• Build relationships with parents experiencing the child welfare system and support them through building trusting relationships based in support and accountability

• Engage and maintain healthy relationships with family members

• Develop and maintain relationships with natural supports and significant extended family members

• Focus on strengths of families equally as important as deficits and build on them to build rapport with families

• Professionally represent the agency when working with families or within the community

• Professionally represent the agency when attending meetings and functions

• Engage families, community, and professionals in healthy working relationships with the Agency

• Engage in teamwork within the Agency, assisting others when needed and requesting assistance when needed

• Model the seven grandfather teachings and Anishinaabe values during interactions with families

• Participate in cross-training to gain understanding of other positions including case management, intake and assessments, foster care, IV-E

• Abide by Red Lake Family and Children Services Code of Ethics

• Employ critical thinking skills before making decisions and accept responsibility for decisions

• Demonstrate desire to learn about cultural ways and ceremonial healing activities

• Adhere to Red Lake Family & Children Services policy and procedure manual and Practice

• Attend mandatory staff meetings, pay attention to material presented, demonstrate respect during staff meetings, and actively participate in them

• Complete onboarding training activities and annual training checklists

• Identify areas in need of strength building during evaluation times and actively participate in evaluations with supervisor to create annual training plans

•

EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, Anishinaabe child rearing

• Knowledge of family safety and risk factors in the Urban Red Lake community

• Knowledge of substance abuse, mental health, in-home services providers

• Skilled in conflict de-escalation

• Skilled in community relationships and public relations

• Skilled in listening, engagement, and building rapport with families

• Skilled in identifying family strengths and building upon them

• Ability to build healthy relationships with families

• Ability to learn cultural ways and ceremonial ways of Anishinaabe

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethics

• Ability to maintain self-care, be self-aware and self-regulate

• Ability to ask for assistance when experiencing secondary worker trauma

• Knowledgeable of historical and generational trauma, and the links between trauma and social disparities in the Anishinaabe community

• Understanding of the child welfare system in Minnesota

• Knowledge of local (twin cities) resources for families, specifically community resources for American Indian families and children. Resources include but not limited to: mental health services, family support services, parenting programming, cultural programming, cultural community leaders, treatment and recovery services.

• Background in program development and planning, program coordination

• Ability to pass criminal background check

• Ability to pass drug screening and remain free from substance abuse issues during employment

• Must possess a valid driver's license throughout employment

• Must have a reliable automobile and insurance throughout employment

• Must be in good standing in the Indian community

• Employment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test and comprehensive background check.

TO APPLY: Applications and copies of certificates are accepted at Government Center – Human Resources Department, PO Box 546, Red Lake, MN 56671 – Fax (218) 679-4176.