Youth Mentor

SUMMARY: A Cottage Parent is a live-in primary care giver for campus youth who is responsible for providing a safe and nurturing environment while maintaining an efficient household. The primary focus of a Cottage Parent is to establish stability for the youth so they can become comfortable with daily routines, build relationships of trust, and feel accepted and valued. A Cottage parent is a role model to teach life skills and developmental competencies, and to provide educational and career opportunities so the youth in care may experience greater life outcomes and independence beyond their years at American Children’s Home.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Be a role model for youth on campus as a caring and trustworthy adult who is competent and capable.
2. Provide primary care to youth in the residential program in support of our agency’s mission.
3. Always provide supervision for the youth in your care individually and as a group. Be available and accessible in common areas of the cottage; time should only be spent in the staff quarters during the nightly rest period.
4. Maintain a safe environment for youth that complies with all guidelines and is free from harassment, threats, and violence. Promote an atmosphere where youth feel accepted and respected as members of the cottage.
5. Support and guide youth in their emotional, physical, spiritual, and social development.
6. Maintain structure and predictable routines in the cottage to decrease stress and conflict.
7. Communicate with all staff members in a manner that supports a team approach, speak respectfully to everyone, and never resort to yelling or using profanity.
8. Be actively involved with each youth’s learning and academic performance.
9. Plan and participate in social and recreational activities with the youth on a continual basis with the purpose of teaching competencies and life skills in a fun and engaging manner.
10. Celebrate holidays, birthdays, special events, and milestone achievements of the youth in your care.
11. Teach and encourage proper hygiene and the importance of personal appearance and appropriate self-presentation to youth in your care.
12. Ensure every youth has seasonal and appropriate clothing, inventory clothing to assess needs and submit requisitions for purchase to the Case Management Supervisor.
13. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the CARE model and TCI system in your daily practice as a professional caregiver.
14. Assist youth and Case Manager(s) in successful implementation of the youth’s individual service plan; assist with goal setting and achievement as a mentor or coach.
15. Maintain a clean and neat cottage with contribution from all household members to teach daily living skills and instill a sense of pride in home appearance.
16. Prepare and offer food choices in the cottage that meet health and dietary guidelines, promote healthy habits, and follow established menu recommendations. Serve meals in a family-style manner to facilitate conversation, inclusion, and group identity.
17. Be responsible for the daily transportation needs of youth in your cottage and for assisting with the transportation needs on campus.
18. Keep all medication, prescription and non-prescription, stored in a locked cabinet or closet that is inaccessible to youth; dispense and document each dose of medication given and maintain correct on-hand counts.
19. Complete daily paperwork within your respective program: review scheduled appointments in extendedReach, enter detailed progress notes for each youth, read and respond to emails.
20. Communicate serious incidents verbally to the Cottage Parent Supervisor(s) and in written form (SIR) to notify Case Manager and DSS Social Worker of inappropriate behaviors or circumstances in accordance with program practice and procedure.
21. Participate in weekly transition meetings, case reviews, and cottage meetings, monthly reflective supervision and staffing, and any other meetings requiring your attendance.
22. Keep accurate account of all monies entrusted to you, including recreation money, allowances, activity and clothing money, as well as all receipts and change to be returned to the Business Office.
23. Order, receive, and store food and food supplies according to state, federal and agency guidelines.
24. Keep accurate mileage logs, maintain vehicle cleanliness and appearance, and report any suspected vehicle damage or vehicle maintenance needs promptly.
25. Submit all cottage maintenance and repair requests to the Business Office Coordinator in a timely manner.
26. Submit requisitions to the appropriate source for purchase or procurement of materials and supplies needed to effectively manage the household.
27. Know and follow the practices, procedures, and policies of the American Children’s Home, COA (accreditation), and NC state standards.
28. Maintain and review all logs and documentation for your respective cottage to ensure completion and accuracy of information.
29. Guide in-cottage training of new Cottage Parents assigned to your respective cottage in conjunction with the Cottage Parent Supervisor(s).
30. Perform other duties as assigned by the Cottage Parent Supervisor(s) or Administration of the American Children’s Home.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 25 years of age
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required; associate degree or higher is preferred
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable safe driving record must be maintained
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills; Microsoft Office, email, internet, typing
• 1st Aid, CPR certified (or willing to become certified)
• Strong cooking skills; comfortable reading recipes and menu
• Water safety skills: ability to swim and supervise swimmers

COMPETENCIES:

• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Inspires the trust of others; Maintains confidentiality; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; Communicates changes effectively to overcome resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered and pertinent information is relayed before leaving shift; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things; Responds promptly to the needs of others
• Judgement - Makes timely decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Maintains appropriate boundaries
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Maintains a culture of non-violence; Uses equipment and materials properly
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Able to build morale and group commitment to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, and sit
• Occasionally required to bend, stoop, or kneel, push, pull, and climb stairs
• Frequently required to talk and hear
• Occasionally must lift and/or move up to 35 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Frequently required to grasp, reach, and utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Specific visual abilities required include close vision; distance vision; peripheral vision; night vision for driving; depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

**Sign-on bonus of $1,000.00** given to all new direct care employees. $500.00 after 90 days, $500.00 after 1 year

Agency paid benefits:

• Dental insurance with Aetna Dental after 60 days. Agency pays 100% of the premium costs.
• Life insurance with MetLife. Agency pays 100% of the premium costs.
• Long-term Disability insurance with MetLife. Agency pays 100% of the premium costs.
• Sick leave pay accrues after 90 days.
• 401(k) Retirement plan with Mutual of America available after 1 year. Agency contributes an amount equivalent to 6% of your salary each month.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits with ADP
• Employee Discount Program benefits with LifeMart

Additional voluntary benefits:

• Medical insurance plans with United HealthCare after 60 days. Agency pays 85% of the premium costs.
• Vision insurance with VSP after 60 days.
• Short-term Disability insurance with MetLife after 60 days.
• Critical Illness and AD&D with MetLife after 60 days.
• Additional Life insurance, including spouse and child with MetLife after 60 days.
• FSA account and HSA account