House Parent Couple - La Porte, TX

Requirements:

Married Couple

Teachable, team oriented, organized, and even-tempered

No more than one child and they must be over the age of four (4)

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Valid Driver License    

Benefits:

Salary starting at $22,500 per couple PLUS secondary parent is encouraged to have a full-time job off campus

Housing, food, utilities, Wi-Fi, PLUS private school on campus available for dependent

100% Employer paid Health Insurance

Purpose of Position

Our mission is to empower children who have faced abuse, neglect and hardships to take back their futures through our unique approach that focuses on providing them with a place in our residential community, a family-like structure and giving families a choice on how to move forward.

• Develop a nurturing bond with the children
• Supervise and arrange activities to ensure proper mental, physical, social and spiritual development
• Ensure hygiene standards are maintained
• Administer medicine as directed
• Ensure the students attend school regularly
• Be a sounding board to children with problems or provide counseling services
• Manage the household (domestic duties) *Refer back to cleaning checklist/requirements  
• Take children on outings
• Transport children to and from appointments (doctor appointments, case workers, court, etc.)

Job Overview

As a House Parent you will reside in one of our nine cottage style homes located on our campus. You will be in charge of various tasks relating to personal care, housing, meals, study and recreational activities of children in our care. This position is a 24 hour a day responsibility. You must have an innate concern for the wellbeing of the children in your care. The children are placed in each cottage by gender and age; a good understanding of cultural differences is important. Effective House Parents have a strong sense of responsibility, leadership skills, organized and able to work in close proximity to others. 

Most of the time, you will be in close contact with biological parents, social workers, counselors and child psychologists, teachers and more. The ability to interface with a variety of people is essential.

A thorough background check, drug screening and references are required. You will need a valid driver license and be insurable. You will be required to have CPR and first aid certifications, if you’re not certified THFC will cover the cost of the certifications. As the laws are ever evolving and the safety of our children is our priority you will be required to take annual training on childcare and routinely you will need to retake certain certifications as they expire.

As a House Parent you will be responsible for the daily discipline of the children in your care. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services requires you to treat the children in your care with respect and dignity. The primary purpose of discipline must be to encourage, model, and help children to practice appropriate behaviors, not to punish the child. Discipline must suit the particular needs and circumstances of each child, and take into account the child’s:

·         Age;

·         Developmental level;

·         Specific misbehavior,

·         Previous reaction to discipline; and

·         Trauma history, including any history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, drug and alcohol exposure, prenatal trauma, early hospitalization or other traumatic events in the child’s history.

No child in your care may be deprived of basic necessities or subject to cruel, harsh, unusual, or unnecessary punishment. For more information regarding the discipline of children in your care refer to Form K-902-2410.

You must ensure confidentiality by holding and maintaining children’s information in the strictest of confidence while meeting all Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) standards. All records/information should only be shared with other others on a professional need to know basis once consent has been permitted. 

It is important that you research the guiding principles of THFC, to ensure that they line up with your own personal principles.  This job is not 9 to 5.  It’s your life. Due diligence up front will make for a much happier home life for you (and the children in your home).

Mandatory Responsibilities and Duties

• Attend staff meetings
• Weekly paperwork
• Request children’s allowance
• Attend harbor related events and activities (travel may be required)
• Van Check and mileage log
• Service Request (as needed)
• Annual training

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Experience in childcare is preferred
• Background screening
• Drug screening
• Driver’s license
• CPR certified