JOB SUMMARY 

The Home Parent cares for and supervises youth in placement and implement the Methodist Children's Home (MCH) model of care in homes on the assigned residential campus. The Home Parent must exhibit the intellectual and emotional maturity required to work with youth who have behavioral issues and difficulty relating to others due to developmental delays, mental health needs, and trauma. The Home Parent must maintain a healthy value system, including moral and ethical behavior consistent with the agency's mission and core values.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Learn and effectively use the Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model of care, along with other evidence-based trauma informed models such as the Satori Alternative for Managing Aggression (SAMA).  
• Develop a relationship with each youth in care and proactively teach self-regulation techniques and acceptable ways to give and receive care.
• Know and teach youth the MCH Life Skills.
• Use the IDEAL response approach to discipline and appropriately intervene with youth who exhibit inappropriate behaviors or who need assistance in regulating their behavior. 
• Respect the rights and personal belief system of each child in care. 
• Work independently and in cooperation with other childcare staff to provide a safe, clean and orderly home for youth that follows applicable licensing and accreditation standards.
• Supervise youth in care to ensure their safety and well-being and adjust the level of supervision according to the circumstances and needs of the youth.
• Ensure youth have the appropriate clothing, shoes, personal care supplies, and hygiene items needed for grooming, including encouragement and coaching on maintaining good hygiene.
• Help youth express fears and concerns, manage anxiety around family-related issues, and assist in processing daily events, traumatic events and those events related to their placement.
• Arrange for and take youth to the doctor, dentist, and other appointments. 
• Dispense and document the administration of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. 
• Assist in the planning, ordering, and preparation of healthy meals and snacks in the home.
• Support the participation of youth in spiritual development activities in the home and through services and programs offered by the Spiritual Development staff. 
• Support the education of youth in care, participate in teacher conferences, and help with homework as needed.
• Support participation in academic, athletic and social extracurricular activities. 
• Ensure that the recreational needs of each child/youth are met, including participation in age-appropriate activities in the community. 
• Promote age-appropriate independence through instruction and coaching on self-care skills and participation in age-appropriate skill development activities. 
• Manage agency funds, resources and equipment, assigned to and for their use, safely and according to agency policy and procedures. 
• Complete required documentation to promote safe childcare and sound home management.
• Ensure all facilities and equipment are clean, organized and maintained in the home.
• Consistently comply with all minimum standards, and policies which apply to the home and to cooperate with MCH on standards which apply not only to the homes but to the agency as a whole.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

This is a 24-hour per day live-in position with a living space provided. Housing should be discussed and agreed upon at acceptance of employment. The typical schedule is seven days on and seven days off. The Home Parent is on duty throughout the waking hours but are able to rest or take care of personal matters when youth are not in their care such as while attending school. The Home Parent must be available to return to duty if youth need to return home for care. The Home Parent is provided with a sleeping period each day when all youth have retired for the night. Although an overnight youth care counselor is often on duty overnight, the Home Parent must be in the home during the sleeping period and be available to respond to the needs of youth that may arise during the sleeping hours. The Home Parent schedule will be determined by the employee's supervisor. Most duties are performed on the assigned campus, but transportation of residents to activities and events in the local community is frequent. Out-of-town and overnight trips may be required. MCH provides an agency vehicle for the transportation of residents for all activities and events. A technology stipend is provided to support the communication requirements of this position. 

All employees are treated as individuals, even when hired as part of a live-in couple arrangement. Individualized responsibilities may vary between employees based on operational and programmatic needs. Employees may also be required to work in homes other than their primary residence as assigned to maintain programmatic fidelity.

EDUCATION/LICENSURE 

A Home Parent must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Further education and experience in childcare-related fields are preferred.  Experience working or volunteering with youth, preferably youth from under-served communities is strongly preferred. 

TRAINING 

Training hours must be completed annually to comply with licensing and accreditation standards, as well as MCH policy. The employee's supervisor may require additional training to meet specific job requirements or enhance professional growth. Completion of training requirements is mandatory for continued employment. 

OTHER 

A Home Parent must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid Texas Driver's License, an excellent driving record that meets the standards set forth by the liability insurance company and Methodist Children's Home, no criminal history, and acceptable references.   

CLOSING STATEMENT

I have reviewed the job description for the position of Home Parent and understand I must be able to perform the duties outlined above. The Physical Demands/Requirements of the position are provided in another document and discussed at hire. I understand that there are additional live-in employee agreements that I must follow in order to remain in good standing with the company.  I understand that, if applying as a couple, that both persons much complete an individual employment application and will maintain individualized employment with the company.  I understand that due to the complexities of the position all duties and responsibilities may not be outlined in this job description and the duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change. I understand I am employed at will and may be discharged at any time without notice or cause and that I will be required to leave MCH housing upon notice by MCH.