Parenting Time Specialist

Hours: Full-Time (40hrs/week)

Requisition #: req
16192

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families.

Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our mission and these shared values: we’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul.

• Work collaboratively with the biological families while supervising parenting time;
• Coordinate visits with the children, biological parents, foster parents and case aides in accordance to the courts and/or case plan;
• Determine case specific needs and considerations for shared parenting and visit coaching and ensure birth parents are engaged in appropriate services;
• Engage birth parents, as appropriate, in a Visit Coaching program, providing orientation and psycho-education curriculum regarding four basic skills for successful visits with their children;
• Orient birth parents and foster/kinship caregivers to principles, goals and expectations in shared parenting component of Visit Coaching program;
• Facilitate Comfort Calls (as requested by Case Manager) and face-to-face Introductory meeting between birth parents and foster/kinships caregivers;
• Facilitate weekly meetings and document shared parenting plan;
• Engage foster/kinship caregivers and birth parents in developing a trusting relationship based on principles of ‘Shared Parenting; to ensure the birth parent remains actively involved in normal parenting activities with their children, while they are in out-of-home care;
• Evaluate birth parents’ parenting skills and establishment of successful shared parenting patters at the conclusion of visit coaching program to determine if additional services or support would be appropriate for them;
• Assist Case Manager in ensuring shared parenting practices continue throughout duration of a case, providing problem solving and relational support to foster/kinship families and birth families as needed;
• Stay up-to-date on relevant resources, best practices, and research regarding engaging effectively with birth family members, particularly in support of visitation and promoting engagement in normal child-rearing activities;
• Utilize the parenting time observation report to document interactions during visits;
• Redirect parents as needed to ensure physical and emotional safety for all involved parties;
• Use a strengths-based perspective in working with families;
• Write Parenting Time Assessment narrative for Updated Service plans and provide to the assigned Case Manager to input this information;
• Attend court hearing(s) and testify regarding families progress, as needed;
• Attend applicable training, as requested and applicable to the program;
• Essential job responsibilities may vary based on the specific needs of each program/department;
• May be required or asked to participate in a Bethany sponsored event;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• Associate’s degree with two (2) year of related experience, or high school degree with three (3) years of related experience may be considered in lieu of the associate's degree for some programs in the agency;
• Must possess the relatability, ability to engage, and communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals;
• Must possess excellent observation, and organizational skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver's license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.