Residential Relief Houseparents

Relief Parents Seamark provides a foster-like home environment in a supportive wraparound care community to children coming from families in crisis. Relief house-parents use biblical values in modeling a healthy family environment as they come alongside house-parents at Seamark to care for placed children residing in each home. Relief parents will manage the home in the absence of or in support with the house parents so as to create a therapeutic, but structured environment, and ensure a biblical approach to nurturing each child. Additionally, relief parents assist in the care and maintenance of Seamark Ranch property (maintenance, landscaping, equine, agriculture, etc.) with the children or specific home and when assigned other relief duties by a supervisor. Specific Responsibilities Spiritual Development of the ChildSets a good example of Christian attitudes and conduct. Trains children in the experience of worship by actively participating in a local approved church and encouraging the participation of the children in the activities of the church. Attendance is required for primary worship and relief parents should consider the value of the child participating in other services, Sunday School, youth meetings (i.e. Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, etc.), and retreats. This should be a part of the plan made with the house parents. Conducts daily family devotions with the children in coordination with the Ranch Spiritual formation program. Ensures the children attend any Ranch-wide devotion. At least one parent from each home will attend with their children. Fosters a spirit of religious tolerance, while encouraging the child to an individual faith in Jesus Christ. Emotional Development Becomes familiar with each child's social history in an effort to understand the child as an individual. Is available to talk to the child at all times, and during crisis, coordinating times with the ranch counselors. Looks for ways to help the child achieve their program goals. Looks for things the child does well, remains fair and consistent with natural consequences, and ensures that the children understand what they must do to progress. When the children are sick, cares for them. When they're involved in school or church activities, encourages them. When they have responsibilities, holds them accountable. Nurturing is guided by the emotional age of the child and stretches from tucking them into bed and reading stories to them, to assuring them that they are accepted unconditionally. Keeps good notes of emotional issues the child is having and communicates this when appropriate. Holds information about the child and their family confidential, to be shared only on a professional basis (Senior Level Staff & relevant program managers). This includes discussion of children's treatment plans and behavior. Social Development Provides formal and informal play periods. Helps the children develop habits of proper behavior, dress and safety at social and recreational activities. Teaches children appropriate methods of building and enhancing interpersonal relationships. In collaboration with the house parents, plans and carries out off-Ranch activities for the home. Makes a concerted effort to give each child sufficient individual attention. Ensures that each child in the home is properly clothed. Clothing items shall be appropriate to the seasonal weather and should be comparable to that worn by other children. Avoids derogatory comments of a child's parents, relatives or guardians. Plans meals, as much as possible, so as to enable staff and children to eat together, serving everyone the same food. Recreation Ensure children are getting recreation opportunities which include among other things; sports, music, hiking, biking, art, games, church group activities, and hobbies. Follow the calendar of monthly events that should be maintained by the house parents. Receive approval from the Senior Leadership Team as well as a DCF contact person for any activities that involve leaving the state or overnight. Actively participate in ongoing Collaborative Care meetings in the place of the house parents when on duty in a specific house. Plan at least 3 hours a day outdoors (weather permitting) on weekends and Holidays. Ensure any work/chores assigned to children on the farm are carried out appropriately. Ensure that recreational or work activities do not conflict with school times, visits with family or any other ranch wide or house specific planned activities. Make an effort to ensure each child has adequate daily time for privacy and individual pursuits. Intellectual Development EducationProvides structured time each day for school work and ensures that the children have necessary study materials. Is available during study time to give as much personal assistance and coaching as possible in the preparation of school assignments. Works closely with teachers and tutors when needed. Encourages and supports children who are involved in extracurricular activities. Discipline (see Seamark Discipline Policy) Uses discipline to help the child learn self-control, rather than forcing him/her to conform to adult standards. Discipline is training that makes punishment unnecessary. In planning discipline, the child's age, intelligence, emotional makeup and his/her past experience should be considered. Discipline must be fair, consistent, and involved natural consequences. Every effort should be made to help the child see it as such. Standards of discipline for the house or relief parents' own children should be similar to those expected of the resident children, although the means of carrying out that discipline may be different. Group pressures and group values can have a constructive place in the training of children. However, discipline requires more maturity and understanding than can be expected of a group of children alone, and no child or group of children should be allowed to discipline another child. Serious offenses, such as drug use, sexual acting out, criminal offenses or running away, should be reported to the Senior Leadership Team immediately and followed up with a written Incident Report within 24 hours. No disciplinary action should be taken which will demean the child or damage his self-esteem. Corporal punishment is not an option for any child. As a general rule, discipline should be administered only to your assigned children. Refer other infractions to the appropriate house parents unless it is a life or death situation. Physical Development of the ChildWorks with and supervises the children in completing household chores and helps them develop good housekeeping habits. Assigns children to household tasks that are appropriate to age and abilities. Teaches the children how to use the proper tools to take care of any part of the Ranch assigned to the home. FoodPlans, prepares and serves 3 nutritionally balanced meals per day using fruits and vegetables, food storage items, donated items, and purchased menu supplements. Helps the children develop the capability for meal planning, budgeting, and preparation (within their ability to understand).Models and practices good table manners and encourages an atmosphere of "serving one another" during meals. Wait for one another and eat as a family Provides healthy snacks and non-sugary drinks in between meals. Clothing Supervises all laundering of clothes according to schedule and need. Helps children to learn how to care for clothing and the difference in play, work, school, and church clothes and shoes. Health Encourages the development of good personal hygiene habits such as bathing, brushing teeth, changing clothes, shampooing hair, grooming hair, cleaning nails, etc. Encourages good sleep habits. Knows or asks about any special health needs of assigned children (allergic reaction to bee stings, medicines, etc., special medicines needed, etc.).Ensures required medication is taken at the proper time and in the prescribed amount and documented properly in accordance with policy and procedures. Helps house parents keep medical and dental appointments. Meets with the counselor to learn appropriate ways to deal with mental health