Parent Advocate - Community Services

CHS Children's Hospital and Health System, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Wisconsin is seeking a Parent Advocate to serve as an intermediary between birth families and the organization, providing support and guiding families to available resources. You will share lived experiences to inform practice and collaborate with Child Welfare staff.

The role requires strong communication, the ability to work with families and professionals, and a commitment to child well-being and equity within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• High School education or equivalent preferred.
• Prior involvement with the child welfare system.
• Willingness to share lived experiences with the child welfare system with other parents and staff as a learning tool.
• Demonstrates collaboration and knowledge of the community.
• Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.
• Good organizational skills and some computer skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills and public speaking ability.

Responsibilities

• Act as an advocate for Children’s Wisconsin’s biological families.
• Serve as a go-between Children’s Wisconsin and birthparents.
• Provide assistance and support and link families to needed resources.
• Incorporate lived experiences into child welfare practice and programs.

Skills

Verbal communication

Public speaking

Written communication

Collaboration

Community knowledge

Independent work

Organizational skills

Computer skills

Empathy

Child welfare experience

Education

High School education or equivalent

Job description

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Every child deserves a safe and loving home. When parents are unable to provide this on their own, intervention is needed to ensure these children are free of abuse and neglect. We provide child well‑being services to help children live in a safe and nurturing environment. We provide services to parents needing education and guidance to improve their parenting skills so their children can remain with them. We also provide services to children who are placed with foster families until they can return home or become part of an adoptive family.

Our experienced professionals provide the following services to families in Milwaukee County and at locations throughout Wisconsin.

• Foster Care Treatment
• Foster Care Adoption
• Respite Care
• Child Advocacy Centers
• Family Case Management
• Family Finding

We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day,

Position Summary

The Parent Advocate will act as an advocate for Children’s Wisconsin’s biological families; functioning as a go‑between Children’s Wisconsin and birthparents. Serves as an objective and impartial agency representative to provide assistance and support for birth families and Children's Community Services employees by incorporating the lived experience into our child welfare practice and program as well as linking these individuals with needed resources.

Position Requirements

• High School education or equivalent preferred.
• Prior involvement with the child welfare system.
• Willingness to share lived experiences with the child welfare system with other parents and social work staff as a learning tool.
• Demonstrates and embraces the spirit of collaboration.
• Knowledge of the community.
• Ability to work with children, families and other professionals.
• Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.
• Good organizational skills, and some computer skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present and speak publicly.

Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law.

Dedicated solely to the health and well‑being of children. We are the region's only independent healthcare system dedicated solely to the health and well‑being of children. In Milwaukee and throughout the state, we provide kids and their families a wide range of care and support - everything from routine care for ear aches or sore throats to life saving advances and treatment options. Our academic partner, The Medical College of Wisconsin, brings many of the nation's most well‑respected doctors to our team. Together we work to ensure that every child and family we serve receives nothing but the best. Learn more about our affiliation with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the power of academic medicine.