SUMMARY
The Cottage Parent position is salaried, exempt. Baptist Children's Homes of NC, Inc. provides cottage homes where professionally-trained parents care for children in a Christian, family environment. A nonprofit organization, BCH is nationally-accredited and uses Children and Residential Experiences: CARE, a trauma-informed model to help boys and girls find healing. The Core principles of this model are: Trauma Informed, Relationship Based, Family Involved, Ecologically Oriented, Developmentally Focused and Competence Centered. The Cottage Parent must demonstrate the agency's purpose, philosophy, policies and procedures. The Cottage Parent works as a team member and oversees the daily activities and needs of the children in care. These activities relate to supervising and maintaining individual and group relationships at the assigned areas. Cottage Parents work 1 week on duty / 1 week off.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 25 years of age.
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Experience as a residential Cottage Parent and/or demonstrate the ability and motivation to learn and practice basic child care skills.
- Valid drivers license and be able to operate an agency vehicle to transport children.
- Must have the capability to manage, plan, organize, implement, monitor and maintain agency programs as well as adhere to accreditation standards and N.C. licensing requirements.
- Meets the general qualifications for employment as outlined in the agency's personnel policies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Daily Responsibilities:
- Provides supervision, both on an individual and group basis, to assigned children in care.
- Provides Christian Role Model and spiritual guidance and a Christian environment to include Daily Devotions and regular church attendance.
- Provides daily care to meet the needs of the children.
- Prepares and provides well balanced meals as outlined by the agency's menus and daily nutritional requirements.
- Establishes structure in the cottages that enables the children to learn responsibilities, self-regulation and to become functioning members of the cottage.
- Generates an atmosphere which helps the child feel accepted and respected as a group member.
- Provides encouragement and participation in school activities, assistance with homework, and educational planning and contact with teachers.
- Encourages children to plan, set and achieve personal goals and provides positive direction for children in care.
- Works within the guidelines of the clothing program, supervises appropriate clothing, evaluates clothing needs and purchases clothing as approved by supervisor.
- Participates in evaluation process of children in care by working with Case Manager/Clinician and Regional/Area Director.
- Assumes responsibility for purchasing/requisitioning materials and supplies needed to run the cottage.
- Maintains a safe home environment including instructing group in safety, fire prevention, fire drills and evacuation plans.
- Plans events for children, including informal play time, special events and group activities.
- Complies with safety in accordance with OSHA, food program, accreditation standards and N.C. licensing requirements.
- Provides transportation for children to events, including but not limited to school, work, church, and medical appointments.
Discipline:
- Participates with the team in developing and carrying out strategies which promote learning and movement toward self-discipline and value change by incorporating the (TCI) Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Model and the Care Model.
- Utilizes the techniques of discipline to provide positive direction with self regulation to children.
Family Work:
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of the dynamics of family crisis.
- Accepts and works within the general philosophy and structure of the agency in meeting the needs of the family by accepting the parent as a worthy person and by promoting parent-child relationships.
Professionalism/Teamwork:
- Represents the agency to various individuals, groups, and public in a professional manner.
- Maintains professional standards as set by the agency.
- Have the commitment and the capacity to build and to maintain individual and group relationships with the various teams within the family services area.
- Respects the rights of the total team and keeps other team members informed of any changes in the cottage.
- Works under the supervision of the assigned supervisor.
- Respects the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of staff members and children in care and strives to create a positive relationship within BCH.
- Participates in the agency's Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program as needed.
Record Keeping:
- Keeps Case Manager/Clinician and Regional/Area Director informed of any incidents regarding children in care.
- Provides continuous monitoring of children in care, and maintains records
Knowledge/Training:
- Continually increases knowledge and skills by taking steps necessary to stay in touch with current trends in the field of residential child care and programs for children and families.
- Has a body of knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
- Participates in all required in-service training.
Policies and Procedures:
- Maintain all handbooks and support materials.
- Ensure all incidents are properly recorded.
EQUIPMENT:
Ability to work with Microsoft applications. Able to operate standard kitchen equipment. Must be able to drive a 15 passenger van and get in and out of the van unassisted.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, write and complete necessary documentation. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisors, parents, teachers, counselors and team members and others within the scope of Child Care.
CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Regular contact with colleagues in all departments, as well as with outside individuals and groups; should represent Baptist Children's Homes of NC, Inc. in a positive manner. Contacts outside of the agency where proper handling of situations is of utmost importance as the agency's image could be affected.
MENTAL / VISUAL / AUDITORY DEMAND:
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and ability to draw conclusions.
CONFIDENTIAL DATA:
Complies with agency policies and procedures concerning confidentiality and HIPPA regulations involving all aspects of client information, which include day to day care of the children, case records, family information, medical information, psychological services, etc which if disclosed, would have adverse internal and/or external effect, and could result in termination of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Cottage Parent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the job While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive and get in and out of a 15 passenger van unassisted, walk up and down stairs, sit, stand, reach, talk and/or hear, and lift up to 50 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee would encounter in any home environment while performing the essential functions of this job. Duties required are performed in a group home setting, The Cottage Parent is required to live on the premises of Baptist Children's Homes of NC, Inc., and to be available 24 hours a day while on duty.
