Parent Partner - Behavioral Health & Wellness

Children's Institute, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

403b retirement plan

Job summary

Children's Institute, Inc. seeks a Parent Partner BHW to support clinical engagement, system navigation, and family stabilization across Behavioral Health and Wellness programs. You will liaise with caregivers involved with child-serving systems, build trust, reduce stigma, and promote participation in treatment plans.

Must have lived experience caregiving and travel up to 50%. Responsibilities include advocating for caregivers, coordinating care across DCFS, DMH, Regional Center, and school

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Lived experience caregiving within systems such as mental health, child welfare, or juvenile justice.
• Minimum one year of experience supporting families through child-serving systems.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a peer mentor and advocate to caregivers of children involved in BHW services.
• Guides families through systems including DCFS, DMH, Regional Center, and school supports (IEP/504).
• Maintains accurate case notes and required documentation.
• Encourages caregiver participation in support groups and psychoeducational activities.
• Supports crisis de-escalation and family conflict resolution under clinical guidance.

Skills

Lived experience caregiving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Word

Outlook

Teams

Database software

EHR System

Job description

DUTIES SUMMARY

The Parent Partner BHW supports clinical engagement, system navigation, and family stabilization efforts across Behavioral Health and Wellness (BHW) programs. Acts as a liaison for caregivers involved with child-serving systems, builds trust, reduces stigma, and promotes caregiver participation in mental health and related services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Serves as a peer mentor and advocate to caregivers of children involved in BHW services, helping them understand, access, and participate in their child’s treatment plan.

Uses lived experience to establish rapport, normalize family experiences, and increase caregiver engagement in behavioral health, educational, and social services.

Guides families through systems including DCFS, DMH, Regional Center, and school-based supports (IEP/504), with a focus on culturally responsive and trauma-informed care.

Provides referrals and warm handoffs to internal and external community resources as needed to support family stabilization.

Participates in interdisciplinary meetings, case reviews, and care coordination activities, representing caregiver perspectives and needs.

Maintains accurate case notes, tracks outreach efforts, and submits required documentation in compliance with program standards.

Encourages caregiver participation in support groups, workshops, and psychoeducational activities.

Supports crisis de-escalation and family conflict resolution under guidance from clinical team.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Maintains working knowledge of community-based programs and maintains an updated resource directory relevant to BHW families.

Other duties and special projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.

Lived experience caregiving within systems such as mental health (MHS), probation, DCFS, Regional Center, or IEP required.

Minimum one year of experience supporting families through child-serving systems, preferably in behavioral health, child welfare, or juvenile justice, or community-based settings.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Possesses a valid driver's license and state-required auto insurance or reliable access to transportation depending on business needs.

Required to travel extensively to sites (> 50% of the time).

Bilingual Spanish & English speaking preferred or required depending on program needs.

Ability to handle confidential information.

Maintains patient privacy, including protecting the confidentiality, safeguarding the integrity and availability, and limiting the use and disclosure of patient Protected Health Information (PHI) to authorized individuals and entities.

Participates in, conducts, and sustains performance quality improvement activities according to designated role and responsibilities.

Sensitivity to service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Punctual and dependable attendance.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient in computer programs in a Windows environment, including Word, Outlook, and Teams

Proficient in database software

Proficient in Electronic Health Records System

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Time Spent [None, -1/3, 1/3 - 2/3, 2/3+] Stand: 1/3 - 2/3 Walk: 1/3 - 2/3 Sit: 1/3 - 2/3 Reach with hands and arms: 2/3+ Use hands to finger, handle, or feel: 2/3+ Climb or balance: -1/3 Bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl: -1/3 Talk or hear: 2/3+ Taste or smell: None Carry, push or pull: -1/3 Lifts Weights or Exerts Force Up to 10 pounds: -1/3 Up to 25 pounds: -1/3 Up to 50 pounds: None Up to 100 pounds: None More than 100 pounds: None

VISION REQUIREMENTS

No special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical, mental & environmental conditions in which the work is performed. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Time Spent [None, -1/3, 1/3 - 2/3, 2/3+] Environmental variables that may be indicated as applicable to the position: Working near mechanical parts: None Work in high, precarious places: None Fumes or airborne particles: None Toxic or caustic chemicals: None Outdoor weather conditions: -1/3 Extreme cold (non-weather): None Extreme heat (non-weather): None Risk of electrical shock: None NOISE LEVEL Moderate noise

REQUIRED TRAINING

New Hire Orientation Mandated Reporter Timekeeping & Attendance AB1825: Harassment Prevention training

COMPENSATION

$23.88 USD - $28.66 USD In accordance with California law, the expected pay range for this position is included in this posting. The actual compensation will be determined based on factors permitted by law. New hires will be offered a salary at the starting point of the range to maintain internal inequity and allow opportunity for future salary growth. CII salaries are determined based on comprehensive internal and external market analysis, as well as the skills, education, and experience relevant to each position.

BENEFITS:

• Generous paid PTO, plus 10 paid holidays and CII is closed between Christmas and New Year
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees and qualified dependents
• 403b Retirement Plan with employer contribution for eligible employees
• Up to $4,500 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year
• Eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Employer paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Insurance
• Opportunity for growth & advancement
• Professional development & continued training
• Team building & bonding through company sponsored events & activities

CONTINGENCIES:

• Influenza immunization or declination
• COVID-19, MMR and Tdap immunizations
• Education verification
• Reference check
• Background fingerprint clearance (FBI, DOJ, CACI) conducted by the California Department of Social Services
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Tuberculosis screening

CII believes that all children and families have boundless potential to achieve emotional well-being and educational success, which build pathways to economic mobility and lifelong health. Using a whole family, two-generation approach, CII offers education, counseling services, parenting support, convening spaces and enrichment programs in the community, at our early education centers, K-12 schools, and neighborhood hubs. Our employees value passion, partnership, innovation and equity. If meaningful work and a vibrant culture are important to you, you're in the right place. Join our team and change the world! CII promotes and fosters equity and inclusion in our workplace and in our communities. We strive to embed these values in our agency-wide decisions and our talent practices so that we create equal opportunities for everyone.