Respite Mentor - Part Time

The Baby Fold; Illinois; On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Baby Fold in Normal, IL is seeking a part‑time Respite Worker to provide direct supervision, mentoring, and therapeutic respite services for youth in our Respite and Post‑Adoption programs. You will help with camp, home, and community activities, promoting social and life skills while coordinating with families and care teams.

The role emphasizes trauma‑informed practice, safety, and compassionate support for adoptive and subsidized guardianship families.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• One year experience working with children.
• Willing and available to work evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches preferred.
• Good emotional and physical health.

Responsibilities

• Supervision of Children in camp, home, community, and recreational settings.
• Maintain safety, health, and emotional well‑being of youth.
• Model appropriate behavior, hygiene, and social skills.
• Communicate with families, supervisors, therapists, and case managers regarding progress.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Child supervision

Communication skills

Behavioral support

Cultural competence

Team collaboration

Driver's license

Job description

The Baby Fold has been successfully wrapping services around children and families since 1902, offering life-critical support such as foster care, special education, early childhood programming, and post-adoption support. The Baby Fold is a unique resource with a strong and enduring heritage. We care for our youngest citizens so they can be blessed with loving homes, stable lives, and the futures they deserve.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Respite Worker is a part-time position that provides direct supervision, support, mentoring, and therapeutic respite services to children and youth participating in The Baby Fold's Respite and Post-Adoption Support Services programs. Services may be provided through camp-based respite programming, community-based mentoring, in-home respite support, and other approved service environments.

The Respite Worker is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of youth while promoting positive social, emotional, behavioral, recreational, and life-skill development. The Respite Worker demonstrates trauma-informed principles in daily practice and communicates effectively with youth, families, coworkers, and community partners. The position supports adoptive and subsidized guardianship families served through the Respite program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• . Supervision of Children
• · Provides safe and appropriate supervision of children and youth in camp, home, community, and recreational settings.
• · Maintains responsibility for the safety, health, and emotional well-being of assigned youth.
• · Models appropriate behavior, communication, hygiene, and social skills.
• · Utilizes trauma-informed approaches when interacting with youth and families.
• · Implements behavioral support strategies as directed by supervisors and service plans.
• · Provides support during recreational, educational, social, and community activities.
• · Maintains awareness of individual youth needs, strengths, and goals.
• · Communicates regularly with families, supervisors, therapists, case managers, and other service providers regarding progress, concerns, and goal attainment.
• · Maintains awareness of each youth's strengths, needs, cultural background, and service goals.

WORK LOCATION:

614 Oglesby Avenue, Normal IL 61761

HOURS:

Part Time, approximately 20 hours per week, scheduled around families (nights and weekends only.)

PAY:

$17.05 Hourly (no more than 20 hours per week.)

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION:

The Baby Fold is committed to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion, where each individual feels empowered and where our differences are celebrated. We encourage each other to engage in meaningful conversations, seek out different perspectives, and continually work to cultivate an environment where all ideas are valued.

Requirements

• 1. Must be 21 years of age or older.
• 2. One year experience working with children.
• 3. Willing and available to work evenings and weekends.
• 4. Knowledge of and skill in utilizing trauma-informed approaches to working with children preferred.
• 5. Good emotional and physical health.
• 6. Physical ability to maintain the safety and well-being of children for whom there is responsibility.
• 7. Ability to communicate effectively with children, staff, parents/guardians, and necessary collateral contacts.
• 8. Demonstrated competence in serving a culturally diverse population. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse workforce.
• 9. Ability and willingness to travel for job responsibilities, including the ability to drive to and from camp as needed, a valid driver’s license, and use of a personal vehicle with adequate insurance.
• 10. Must pass necessary background checks.
• 11. Mission-oriented and willing to apply The Baby Fold’s standards and values to the performance of job duties.