Family Support Partner

Who we are:
Shineforth is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive array of programs to support children, teens, and parents as they work to overcome challenges. We equip families with tools for success so they can achieve their goals. As a national leader in helping young people and families, we also proactively identify unmet social services needs and develop the necessary partnerships to address those needs.

What we do:

Work with caregivers and families of youth admitted to the Child & Family Healing Center who demonstrate emotional disturbance, behavioral disorders, and/or mental illness. Assist families to enhance family engagement, customer service needs, clinical outcomes/discharges rates and advocacy for youth receiving residential care. Connect families to formal and informal resources, helping them understand systems/services and build resiliency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Orient new families to the Child & Family Healing Center from point of admission through discharge.
• Provide outreach to family members throughout their time with the CFHC. Act as an advocate on behalf of family members with CFHC Team.
• Plan and conduct monthly CFHC family trainings and/or support groups to enhance family learning opportunities and outlets for community and peer support.
• Attend treatment team meetings to aid in the education of families and to bring the family perspective to the clinical team.
• Make recommendations, as appropriate, regarding community based services to benefit the family (Family Support Partner, parent coaching, parent support/mentor, support groups, etc.)
• Deliver consultation and training to direct care staff to increase their skills at providing more family driven care.
• Research best practices in Parent Peer Support/Peer Recovery Specialist models across the country to improve the quality-of-service delivery in the CFHC. Help to incorporate the Building Bridges model in the CFHC on behalf of parents.
• Support parents/caregivers and encourage them to continue to have hope and effectively use family and community support and learn skills to parent children so they become empowered and effective adults.
• Coach parents/caregivers and family members on how to advocate for themselves so parents/caregivers can be viewed as equals with professionals, programs and funding sources.
• Participate in providing a variety of support services for parents/caregivers/caregivers such as support groups, family activities, etc.
• Teach, coach and mentor skills to build sufficient emotional and physical support in order to sustain positive parenting roles and meet personal needs that would benefit the family.
• Plan and deliver via webinar or face-to-face learning opportunities for parents/caregivers/family members or staff to develop communication, parenting, advocacy and other skills.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and other activities related to program.
• Support the voice and choice of the youth and family through modeling the effective presentation of ideas and suggestions during team meetings.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

What you will need:

• High school diploma and some college preferred.
• Must be the biological or adoptive parent or person in the parent role who has been the primary caregiver of a child with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges is required.
• Must have experience navigating the Virginia behavioral health systems with their child. Participation in wraparound intervention or in family partnership meeting preferred.
• Must have the ability to articulate the experience and appropriate perspective of a parent/caregiver of a child with complex mental health needs and provide support to other families with similar challenges.
• Must be able to engage and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds while maintaining a non-judgmental attitude towards families and professionals.
• Prior experience with working with conflict resolution and customer service delivery preferred.

Why Work at Shineforth?


Shineforth has been an unwavering champion for children, teens, and families for more than 125 years. Our main campus is in Richmond, Va., and we offer nearly 20 programs at nine locations throughout Virginia.


Work-life balance is critical to the health and well-being of our employees, which is why we offer full-time employees generous paid leave, 12 paid holidays, and comprehensive health benefits options that include vision, and optional dental.


All Shineforth employees (this includes part-time and PRN) are eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, and a 401(k) with employer match.


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is at the forefront of all we do at Shineforth, and we maintain a culture of acceptance in which crucial conversations are encouraged. Shineforth doesn't exclude anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, religion, or economic background.


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Equal Opportunity Employer