Parent Advocate (CSEC Advocacy)

Optimist Boys Home & Ranch; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 29,618 - 39,096; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on stipend of $750 after 6 months employed

Job summary

Optimist Boys Home & Ranch is seeking a dedicated individual to provide peer support to parents in Los Angeles. The position involves assisting families with comprehensive planning and engaging with community resources.

Qualifications include lived experience as a guardian of a child who survived human trafficking and good organizational skills. Candidates with a High School Diploma and bilingual in English/Spanish are preferred. This role offers a full-time position with hourly pay ranging from $21.50 to $28.38.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience as a parent/legal guardian of a child who is a survivor of human trafficking.
• Previous experience working with high-risk children and families is preferred.
• Must possess a valid CA Driver’s License and liability insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to parents served by the CSEC Advocacy program.
• Assist families with developing a comprehensive plan.
• Facilitate a monthly parenting support group.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Good oral and written skills

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Job Details

Location: OYHFS Youth Learning Center (Highland Park), Los Angeles, CA 90042
Position: Full Time
Pay: $21.50 – $28.38 per hour
Sign‑on stipend: $750 after 6 months employed

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to parents served by the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Advocacy program and assist them to successfully engage in program services, with youth and staff.
• Utilize personal and professional life experience to provide peer support to parents and caregivers served by the program.
• Access community‑based resources appropriate to the family’s needs.
• Interface with Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Mental Health, court systems, schools, health care providers and other community liaisons.
• Assist families with developing a comprehensive plan.
• Provide support and advocacy that is family‑centered, community and strength‑based.
• Provide 24‑hour availability and crisis intervention as needed, including weekends and evenings.
• Conduct visits to homes and other service providers to help clients achieve their goals.
• Facilitate a monthly parenting support group and collaborate with team members regarding its implementation and promote participation from clients.
• Provide parenting education to parents utilizing a parenting curriculum.
• Follow state laws and agency guidelines regarding child abuse reporting.
• Maintain weekly service provision requirements.
• Participate in administrative and clinical supervision and meetings.
• Receive and respond to feedback from children, families, community and service providers.
• Ensure accuracy in work and meet all deadline expectations.
• Maintain consistent and regular attendance.
• Follow up with supervisor in a timely manner regarding significant issues.
• Demonstrate ownership of work responsibilities by incorporating feedback, taking initiative, and interacting professionally within the assigned role and adhering to agency guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by Optimist, licensing, HIPAA, and other regulatory agencies.
• Follow and adhere to all field safety guidelines.
• Participate in mandatory training, in‑services and meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• MUST have lived experience as a parent/legal guardian of a child(ren) or youth who is a survivor of human trafficking.
• Previous Parent/Family Partner, Peer Advocate and/or Parent Advocate experience preferred.
• Previous experience working with high‑risk children and families.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid CA Driver’s License, automotive liability insurance, and a driving record acceptable to agency’s insurance carriers.
• Good oral, written and organizational skills.
• Meet employment requirements such as references, physical examination/TB Test, criminal record (Live Scan‑fingerprints), clearances, etc.
• Employees serve as role models for children and adolescents; must be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with individuals who may have mental or behavioral health problems.
• Be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions, and role‑modeling.
• Hostility, aggression, inappropriate physical actions, and inappropriate emotional expression are not acceptable.
• Must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID‑19.