Parent Support Specialist

Job Details Job Location
Main Building - Portland, OR

Position Type
Full Time

Education Level
2 Year Degree

Salary Range
$25.13 - $27.74 Hourly

Travel Percentage
Negligible

Job Shift
Day

Job Category
Nonprofit - Social Services

Description

Do you need to feel connected to the mission and vision of your organization?
At Outside In, we are guided by a belief in each individual's potential for change and growth.
Since 1968, we have been successfully empowering homeless youth, LGBTQIA+, people of color, those experiencing homelessness, and other marginalized communities to become healthy and self-sufficient.
With a collaborative approach to community partnerships, we value hope, integrity and compassion.
We believe our people are our greatest asset and we value their competence.
At Outside In, your time and talent truly make a difference.


We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity.
Multicultural and intersecting diversities are highly valued.


The Parent Support Specialist is responsible for providing a broad range of services to a diverse group of pregnant/parenting adolescents up to age 25 who are homeless and/or street-dependent and to their children.
Services include case management, health promotion, parenting and child development information, and provision of resources and support.
The position functions as part of the Homeless Youth Continuum and works in partnership with partner organizations.
Provided services occur in a variety of home, community, and office-based settings.

Essential Duties Provide initial and ongoing assessments and child developmental screenings.
Facilitate development of a Service Plan with participants and update with participants regularly.
Meet with participants, and their children, on a regular basis to provide services as identified on Service Plan, including: Health and community resource navigation Assist youth in accessing basic needs resources, educational resources, employment resources, benefits (health insurance, WIC, TANF and SNAP), prenatal/labor/delivery resources, housing resources, as well as health care and treatment resources.
Prenatal, parenting and child-development education.
Parenting skills coaching and supporting interventions that encourage the safety and healthy development of their children.
Skills coaching to enhance problem solving skills and abilities, including skill building to obtain and maintain housing related to budgeting, nutrition, healthy relationships, crisis management, etc.
Support for obtaining and maintaining housing, participating with the community housing team.
Monitor youth participation in other services and support youth progress on action steps towards their goals.
Provide effective professional advocacy as needed, including support and advocacy with child welfare system and with property managers, when applicable.
Access flexible funding to assist in meeting needs and removing barriers to success.
Participate in outreach activities necessary to offer services and engage participation in a non-coercive manner.
Provide crisis planning and crisis intervention, which may include after-hours contact.
Problem-solve with clients and community partners about any barriers to collaboration.
Ensure accurate and timely documentation of services and outcomes.
Adhere to state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA, and to Outside In policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development, Trauma Informed Care, Stages of Change Theory, harm reduction and Motivational Interviewing.
Knowledge of infant and toddler development.
Knowledge of different learning styles and flexibility to establish rapport with clients and their children.
Skills Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and focus on data collection.
Ability to work with young children and parents in individual and group settings.
Ability to work with a diverse population and interact effectively with different types of people.
Good communication and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to support agency goals and the operational functioning of the Youth Department.
Ability to complete all required documentation and information input in a professional, thorough, and timely manner.
Commitment to continual learning and quality performance.
Ability to build and maintain effective and professional contacts at agencies providing resources.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and performance at all times.
Ability to meet youth worker core competencies.
Ability to effectively navigate technologies used in this position including Credible Behavioral Health Electronic Health Record, MS Office Applications, and Windows Server.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to be insured to drive participants in agency vehicle and car share.
Preferred Skills Spanish fluency Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Development; Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing; Bachelor's Degree in Social Work; or other related equivalent education, training and experience.
At least 2 years case management experience, including assessment and service planning experience.
At least one year experience working with young children (0-5) and families.
At least one year experience working with child welfare systems.
Working Conditions

This job includes working in a standard office environment as well as a variety of community locations to offer community-based services and supports.
This means that the employee will meet with participants in community locations which may include the participant's home, school, work, hospital, and other surrounding community settings.
The employee will be responsible for transporting participants in a rented vehicle.


Qualifications Knowledge and Skills Knowledge Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development, Trauma Informed Care, Stages of Change Theory, harm reduction and Motivational Interviewing.
Knowledge of infant and toddler development.
Knowledge of different learning styles and flexibility to establish rapport with clients and their children.
Skills Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and focus on data collection.
Ability to work with young children and parents in individual and group settings.
Ability to work with a diverse population and interact effectively with different types of people.
Good communication and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to support agency goals and the operational functioning of the Youth Department.
Ability to complete all required documentation and information input in a professional, thorough, and timely manner.
Commitment to continual learning and quality performance.
Ability to build and maintain effective and professional contacts at agencies providing resources.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and performance at all times.
Ability to meet youth worker core competencies.
Ability to effectively navigate technologies used in this position including Credible Behavioral Health Electronic Health Record, MS Office Applications, and Windows Server.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to be insured to drive participants in agency vehicle and car share.
Preferred Skills Spanish fluency Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Development; Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing; Bachelor's Degree in Social Work; or other related equivalent education, training and experience.
At least 2 years case management experience, including assessment and service planning experience.
At least one year experience working with young children (0-5) and families.
At least one year experience working with child welfare systems.
Working Conditions

This job includes working in a standard office environment as well as a variety of community locations to offer community-based services and supports.
This means that the employee will meet with participants in community locations which may include the participant's home, school, work, hospital, and other surrounding community settings.
The employee will be responsible for transporting participants in a rented vehicle.