Parent Advocate

The mission of Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) is to heal families and inspire youth to reach their full potential. For 50 years, ARCC has provided a wide range of behavioral health counseling and school- based support, designed to promote health equity & educational equity, and ensure that high-risk youth stay safe, in school, and drug & violence free.

The agency supports a predominantly Latinx (83%) population in underserved schools and neighborhoods throughout Santa Clara County with a focus on the high-need area of East and Central San Jose.

ARCC staff provide services to youth and caregivers who otherwise might struggle to afford and / or access quality care.

In 2023-24, the agency served 5,000+ individuals, through 13 different programs, including individual and family counseling, substance use prevention education, youth mentoring, family reunification, parent training / support, and services in 30+ high-need schools.

We have 85 full-time employees and over 25 dedicated volunteers that make our program run. ARCC provides the opportunity to interact with youth and families within different departments and programs of the agency.

We value integrity, honor, respect, diversity, compassion, and empathy. We work together as a team. Our employees love the work they do here because they can see the difference it is making in the community and in the life of each individual.

POSITION SUMMARY : ARCC is contracted by the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency to deliver the Parent Advocates Services Program.

Parent Advocates support Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) families working towards self-sufficiency and assuring maximum responsibility for their own well-being, by directly interacting with family members individually or in a group setting.

Parent Advocates serve as a family advocate and work closely with DFCS to deliver time limited, evidence-based, and motivational interventions for parents who have experienced, and inflicted, trauma in their families.

Parent Advocates provide guidance, mentorship, education, and information clients to understand the DFCS process and related case plan (voluntary and / or court-ordered) activities.

Parent Advocates will also focus on support of families with exposure to Intimate Partner Violence who are working towards preventing further harm, and seeking and developing safety for themselves, their children, and those in their immediate network of support.

Parent Advocates work with families in three preventive Tiers of Support : Primary (Emergency Response, Dependency Investigations, and Predisposition), Secondary (Voluntary Family Reunification, Voluntary Family Maintenance, and Informal Supervision), and Tertiary (Court Ordered Family Reunification and Family Maintenance).

• DUTIES : Assist clients with services that support their DFCS recommendations and / or court-ordered case plan;Provide case management services, including individualized peer support and mentoring, at a minimum of (1) time per month, meeting at the County buildings, ARCC office, community and / or clients home;
• Contact referred DFCS clients and schedule intake appointments;Develop and document a needs assessment and individual service plan (based on recommended and / or court ordered case plan), identify achievements, update needs, and / or acknowledge successfully completed recommended or court-ordered requirements on an on-going basis;
• Support families with exposure to Intimate Partner Violence such as with the Danger Assessment Tool;Conduct follow-up contact for each client in a timely manner and monitor client progress;
• Consult and collaborate regularly with DFCS Social Workers to support clients with adhering to existing court-ordered and / or recommended case plans and requirements, discuss clients progress or concerns and provide updates with the delivery of services that support a clients case plan;
• Identify and connect clients with community resources such as housing, employment, food, clothing, transportation, etc.;Provide transportation, translation and interpretation, and application assistance, as needed;

Maintain documentation and appropriate client files and complete required paperwork including intake, consents, individual service plans, surveys, discharge, etc.

• within expected timeframe;Document all client contact and write progress notes on Welligent (electronic health records system) within 24 hours;
• Follow all confidentiality and HIPAA policies and procedures in accordance with DFCS and ARCC;Attend Parent Orientation classes, Child Family Team (CFT) and other DFCS meetings;
• Outreach and present at DFCS Parent Orientations, CFTs and other informational groups as needed;Assist at DFCS support groups as relevant;
• Provide numerical data and client success stories as requested or required by contract;Attend meetings and trainings necessary for professional development and as required for ARCC or DFCS;
• Partner with DFCS, as necessary;Keep ARCC abreast of possibilities for system improvement and potential barriers to success;

Understand and adhere to the laws governing child abuse reporting;Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor for the benefit of ARCC or its clients.

• QUALIFICATIONS : Former DFCS Client who has had their child or children removed and successfully returned, and who has been out of the Child Welfare System for no less than 12 months;
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; AA or technical / vocational / secretarial school diploma preferred;Cultural competency of the economic and cultural issues in diverse communities, specifically Latino, African American ancestry, and Vietnamese;
• Bilingual in English / Spanish or English / Vietnamese preferred;Understand and adhere to the laws governing child abuse reporting;
• Case management experience in a community-based setting preferred;Experience working with diverse backgrounds;Effective verbal and written communication skills, public speaking skills, and demonstrated computer literacy (Gmail, Zoom, Microsoft Office);
• Ability to meet deadlines, work independently with minimal supervision, and act as a positive member of a team;Ability to work evenings or weekends as necessary;
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.;Fingerprinting and background clearance as required by the Department of Justice and FBI;Current, valid CA drivers license, a vehicle for ARCC travel, and proof of current auto insurance policy required;

Current TB test clearance required;Proof of COVID vaccine and booster, highly recommended. This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.

It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and operational needs, job description and responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Alum Rock Counseling Center is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to building a team that represents the racial, ethnic and linguistic needs of our community.

We highly encourage members of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities to apply. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce and equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.