At Brotherhood Academy, we treat each of our team members with the same trauma-informed care as we do our children. We lead by example. It is important to recognize and understand what triggers children may have as well as your team members so we can all help each other to best care for the children. With this knowledge, we will be mindful to never raise our voices when speaking. We will seek to understand what is "behind the behavior" rather than fully focusing on the behavior. We will never label a child due to their circumstances. It is our mission to teach the children to utilize their current experiences to become stronger. Strong Leaders, and eventually Strong husbands and fathers.
At Brotherhood Academy, a House Parent is a Professional Parent. This is a 24-hour, 2 weeks on- 2 weeks off position with living space and all meals provided. Professional Parents will Parent the children strictly by our policies and procedures as well as all trauma informed trainings. Professional Parents are not to "raise" our children as they did their own. This is a professional organization, and all programs must be followed professionally. House Parents must exhibit the intellectual and emotional maturity required to work with youth who have behavioral issues and/or difficulty relating to others due to developmental delays, mental health needs and trauma. This position requires respect and compassionate understanding for the youth in care and the ability to balance the need for nurture and structure in the work with youth. Professional Parents must have the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships with youth and other team members, effectively communicate with others, solve problems, and regulate their own behavior in all situations. During school hours, after house errands are complete, you may run personal errands if you have your phone on-call. House Parents will be called Mr. or Mrs. and last name. No child will refer to a caregiver by their first name. While Infront of children, always address the other adults by their respected last names to lead by example. We want to encourage "yes ma'am and no ma'am, yes sir and no sir" At Brotherhood Academy, self-respect and respect for others is at the core of our teachings. Tabaco, vaping in designated areas out of sight from children and only when proper child supervision is in place. (see tobacco and vaporizer policy)
Alcohol and firearms are prohibited on Brotherhood Academy ground and when transporting children.
Although there will be a stay-awake night staff on duty (from 8pm-6am), at times in an emergency, the house parent may have to wake up and help with the child. Brotherhood Academy provides the transportation vehicle. Rarely, we may all be called to participate in an unforeseen task outside of our job description in the event of an emergency. Due to the nature of our work, all team members must be agreeable to this. Examples will be given in orientation. Posting on social media without prior consent is prohibited to preserve confidentiality and Brotherhood Academy's culture.
Job Description:
1. Spiritual development of the child
Conduct short daily devotionals with the children
Teach TBRI responses and lead by example
Bible Studies on Wedsday evenings from 7-7:45pm after dinner (can be lead by houseparent, volunteer or elder child with interest. Bible studies of Becoming A King and other board approved studies. There will be a schedule one month out with which study and who will lead.
Church services at 11am every Sunday. All children must attend. If having a child refuse, ensure there is a caregiver to watch them and take the other children.
2. Emotional development of the child
Create a safe environment where the children can work on themselves and practice new behaviors, where they can express themselves and feel heard.
Become familiar with the child's family history through our service plan specialists (do not ask the child questions. Let them open to you first. Recommend a counselor if they need one. Remember- Safe and appropriate conversations)
Never compliment or comment a child by saying they are handsome or any other compliments or comments identifying appearance. Instead compliment on their actions, behaviors, achievements, etc.
Develop and maintain a respectful relationship with parents and family members
Work closely with the Service Plan Specialist to ensure children are staying on track with their service plan goals
When needed, transport child to family visits.
Respect and have full knowledge of the child's rights.
3. Social development of the child
Manage the group of children in your cottage home. Always ensure proper child to adult ratio.
Help the children develop habits of proper behavior, dress and safety at social and recreational activities.
Teach children appropriate methods of building and enhancing interpersonal relationships.
All children's (approved) cell phones must be turned in at 8pm every evening before bed.
Continuously educate safety with social media. We have a social media policy that will be followed.
Encourage extracurricular activities in school and/or church
Support age-appropriate independence through instruction and coaching on self-care skills and participation in age-appropriate development activities.
4. Education development of the child
Provide a consistent and structured schedule after school to help children with homework and school projects as needed and as much as you are able. Ask to see finished homework and all papers from teachers for the day. Create a positive vibe when asking to see complete homework. If child needs a tutor, we will schedule a meeting with the teacher and see if they have recommendations and we will add this to the child's service plan. Remember to always celebrate even the smallest successes. Be mindful these children likely had no one ever interested in their schoolwork.
Work in close cooperation with all teachers and school staff
Transport children to and from all school related activities.
Encourage children to participate in extracurricular activities
School nights bedtime is 8:30pm and wake is 6am
Weekends can be free time. Bedtime at 10 pm for ages 9-11, 11pm for ages 12-17 and sleep in on Saturday mornings.
5. Physical development of the child
Communicate with Service Plan specialist with any medical concerns so we can address immediately with medical professionals.
Upon admission the child's Service Plan Specialist will schedule all Dr. appts such as full physical, dental, visual, hearing and any psychological where applicable. You and other approved transportation team members will bring the child to the appointments.
Teach children to do their own laundry and household chores on their scheduled day and time. There may be times a child is unable to do their laundry and chores so the team must help assist them keep this up. We will have a professional cleaning service for all deep cleaning.
Encourage and educate good hygiene practices. Shower schedules, etc. Only one child in a bathroom at a time. If you knock twice and there is no response, use the key in the house office to knock again, unlock and crack the door to call their name. Only if no response then enter. All children will know this policy in their orientation.
Hygiene encouragement without shame. Having a schedule for all children to utilize bathroom time to brush teeth, apply deodorant, etc. will help eliminate shame and create habits.
Teach healthy boundaries (refer to social policies) to help ensure physical safety.
After each child is in bed at 8:30pm, all alarms will be set and house parent is free to go to their apartment.
Awake night team members will arrive and stay awake in the event an emergency happens.
Ensure youth have appropriate shoes, clothing and hygiene items.
6. Food /Nutrition
Follow Nutrition policy
Professional Parents will lead short prayer before each meal
Professional Parents will sit at the dinner table and eat with all of the children.
Always keep a monthly meal schedule with times of meals and what is being served posted in Kitchen, hallway, and bedrooms. A lot of these children have food insecurities, and this will not be cured overnight if ever. We will allow wrapped granola bars in bedrooms. We will always keep fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy snacks on the kitchen counter available always to the children. No sodas allowed in houses.
7. Corrections (therapeutic discipline)
Teach children the choice/consequence model and hold them accountable for choices.
TBRI model
Comply with the SAMA (EBI) verbal de-escalation policy
Comply with policies, SAMA, Trauma-Informed Discipline Response, Prohibited Disciplines, Code of conduct.
8. Medical
Transport children to medical appointments
Report and record all appointments (follow report and record , medical policies)
Dispense and record daily any medication, prescription and over the counter given (follow all medication policies)
Pick up medications from pharmacy
Do not hesitate to call 911 without permission in a medical emergency. This includes any suicide attempts.
Disclaimer: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and qualifications required of employees to this job at Brotherhood Academy.
Qualifications:
Must pass background check
Must be 21 or older and have a valid drivers license
3 references of character and history of working with children
Verification of last 5 years of employment
Obtain CPR and First-Aid certifications
Must know how to prepare and cook meals
Must be able to model healthy family relationships while incorporating Christian values
Physically must be able to bend easily and to lift 40 lbs
Once hired and before interaction with our children, you must complete:
TBRI training (4 days)
EBI SAMA training (4 days)
2-week orientation including all Brotherhood Academy Policies and Procedures
Normalcy training (2 hrs)
Recognizing and reporting child abuse training
Transportation training
Medication administration
Psychotropic medications
Cyber security
Suicide Training through AS+K and ASQ screen training
Maintain all annual and semi-annual required trauma and EBI trainings are mandatory for continued employment
Attend all weekly meetings and service plan meetings
Preparing and cooking meals. Encourage children to help prepare when able. This is a great teaching opportunity.
Pick up medications, give medications and record in medication log. (refer to medication policy)
Participate in giving tours for new children and their families
Full knowledge of when and how to create and record all reports in Extendedreach software.