Certified Caregiver Mentor-Family Connections Program

  • Full-time

Company Description

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged with foster care and to adoptees and families, post-adoption.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

    Job Description

    We are seeking to hire a Family Connections Program Certified Caregiver Mentor to work closely with our Family Connections Program (FCP). This position will be primarily based out of our Seattle office. Become an integral and valued part of a team working to support families experiencing foster care. 


    The Family Connections Program helps foster caregivers and children’s parents build a working relationship to maintain essential connections for the child placed in out-of-home care. The goal of the program is to reduce the trauma experienced by children entering out-of-home care by supporting and facilitating a positive relationship between the child’s parents and caregivers. This support is provided by FCP peer mentors (parents impacted by the child welfare system and relative and foster caregivers), who have received specialized training to help other parents and caregivers build child centered relationships within the child welfare system. 


    Reporting to the Family Connections Program Manager, the FCP Certified Caregiver Mentor is a member of Amara’s Family Connections Program team and works closely with all staff across the organization. 

    The FCP Certified Caregiver Mentor will be responsible for:
    •    Provide peer mentoring and individual support related to building and sustaining parent/caregiver relationships to caregivers (relative caregivers or licensed foster caregivers) who are caring for a child placed in out of home care and have been determined to be eligible for FCP support.
    •    Facilitate Connections Conversations (meetings between caregivers and parents).
    •    Co-facilitate (with the FCP Lead Mentor) support groups for program participants and community partners.
    •    Provide family support and education around available resources that support parent/caregiver partnerships
    •    Build relationships with multiple professionals in the child welfare and local government arena.
    •    Assist the FCP Program Coordinator with regular data entry and tracking for the Family Connections Program.
    •    Collaborate with the FCP Program Manager to create a library of trainings and resources on building and supporting parent and caregiver partnerships.
    •    Occasionally represent FCP at community, outreach, and stakeholder education events.
    •    Assist with reports, documentation, and administrative tasks.
    •    Be willing to flex hours to accommodate family needs on an occasional and ongoing basis.

    The FCP Certified Caregiver Mentor will be highly skilled in helping others to successfully navigate complex relationships. The successful candidate will be highly organized, have strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to hold firm boundaries while also acting with a high level of compassion for all parties. 
     

    Qualifications

    Required:

    • Must have personal lived experience with the child welfare system as either a relative or licensed foster caregiver AND personal experience as a caregiver navigating complex relationships with the parents of children placed in their care though the child welfare system.

    ·       Highly organized with good communication and problem-solving skills

    ·       Display initiative, independence, flexibility, and maturity

    ·       Experience working with diverse families (variety of religions, races, cultures, ages, and socio-economic levels).

    ·       Must provide proof of current COVID-19 vaccination.

    ·       Must be at least 21 years of age.

    Preferred:

    ·       Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with Spanish-speaking families strongly preferred.

    ·       Experience coordinating and managing programs, services, or organizations

    ·       Strong writing skills

    ·       Experience with MS Word, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel

    ·       Willingness and ability to work in both Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding areas

     

    Additional Information

    Criminal Background Check 

    Because this position has access to confidential client, employee, or financial information OR direct interaction with children any final candidate hired into this position must successfully pass a criminal background check performed by the State of Washington. Any job offer is contingent on successfully passing this background check.  A list of disqualifying convictions for this position is available at: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/bccu/documents/Secretary%E2%80%99sCrimesListforALLPrograms.pdf

    Vaccination Requirement:

    Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodations.

    Salary and Benefits

    This is a full-time exempt position with a salary range of $53,843.00-$55,458.29 depending on experience.  Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance.

    To Apply

    To express your interest in this position, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed until position is filled. 

    Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer