Foster Care Group Home House Parent - GAP Ministries

 

HOUSE PARENT MANAGER

GAP Ministries – SPLASH Group Home

Full-Time | Salary/Exempt | $74,000–$100,000 Annually Per Couple + Housing & Meals

Make a difference by making a home.

GAP Ministries is looking for a House Parent Manager married-couple who is passionate about children, committed to following Christ, and ready to invest in the lives of children in foster care.

The House Parents will help create a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered home where children can experience stability, learn important life skills, build healthy relationships, and grow emotionally, spiritually, and physically. ONe will work as part of a larger Christ-centered team that values honesty, integrity, respect, compassion, responsibility, and servant leadership.

WHAT THE HOUSE PARENT WILL DO

As a House Parent Managerl:

• Create a home environment where children feel safe, cared for, respected, and supported.

• Provide direct care and supervision for children in GAP Ministries' foster care group home.

• Teach children practical life skills, including personal responsibility, household chores, appropriate behavior, and healthy relationships.

• Use Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) strategies and GAP's Behavior Management Plan to build trust and respond appropriately to challenging behaviors.

• Work alongside your spouse or teammates to jointly manage the home and care for the children.

• Help establish daily routines, schedules, meals, homework time, recreation, appointments, and other activities.

• Build meaningful relationships with children through activities such as games, hiking, biking, swimming, and other recreation.

• Provide transportation for appointments, activities, shopping, and other needs as necessary.

• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and inspection-ready home, yard, and vehicles.

• Manage household shopping, menus, budgets, allowances, and related records.

• Complete required documentation accurately and on time while maintaining confidentiality.

• Communicate and work closely with the Group Home Manager, teammates, DCS, and other professionals involved in the care of the children.

• Participate in required meetings, training, outings, and community activities.

• Continue growing personally in leadership and spiritual life while serving as an example of Christ-centered character.

• Remain flexible because caring for children sometimes requires evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and school breaks.

THIS IS MORE THAN A JOB

Living in the Group Home house is a condition of employment.

This position is designed for a couple that is comfortable becoming part of a community and sharing life with the children entrusted to GAP Ministries' care. The house parent will help provide consistency, structure, encouragement, and a genuine sense of home.

This is a hands-on role and  should enjoy being active with children and be comfortable stepping in when children need guidance, encouragement, correction, or simply someone who will spend time with them.

The right person will be able to remain calm in challenging situations, use good judgment, accept constructive feedback, and work cooperatively with teammates.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

One may be a good fit for this position if:

• at least 22 years old.

• Have a high school diploma/equivalency and at least one year of experience providing direct care to children, OR have at least one year of post-high-school education in child welfare, human services, or a related field.

• Have a genuine desire to serve children and families.

• Demonstrate strong character, honesty, integrity, impartiality, and respect.

• Can build trusting relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

• Can remain calm and make sound decisions during stressful situations.

• Are comfortable working in an active, sometimes unpredictable home environment.

• Are willing to learn and apply Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), behavior management, crisis intervention, and other required practices.

• Are comfortable using computers, email, calendars, and online documentation systems.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES & CERTIFICATIONS

GAP assists all employees to obtain required clearances and certifications. Because this is a safety-sensitive position working with children, selected candidates must meet GAP Ministries and applicable state requirements, including:

• FBI fingerprint clearance and Fingerprint Clearance Card

• Required criminal background and Central Registry checks

• Pre-employment and random alcohol/drug screening

• Required staff training, including TBRI, Behavior Management, Conflict Resolution, Crisis Intervention/De-escalation, and Medication Administration

• Current CPR and First Aid certification, including adult and pediatric CPR

• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification and ongoing required training

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

House Parent Managers may need to transport children, run errands, and attend appointments or activities.

Applicants must:

• Have a valid driver's license held for at least five years.

• Meet GAP Ministries' and DCS driving/insurability requirements.

• Provide a 60-month driving record.

• Have access to a safe, reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.

• Be willing and able to drive a personal or company vehicle, including a 15-passenger van when needed. Mileage is reimbursed when a personal vehicle is used for agency business.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is an active, hands-on position. House Parent Managers must be able to perform physical tasks associated with caring for children and maintaining a home, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, driving, cooking, cleaning, and other daily household activities.

The position may require lifting up to 50 pounds, separating children during a physical altercation, and assisting or carrying a child when necessary.

WHAT ONE WILL RECEIVE

Salary: $74,000–$100,000 annually per couple
Housing: Housing provided in the Group Home house
Meals: Meals provided as part of the position

This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants their work to have a lasting impact on the lives of children.

JOIN THE GAP MINISTRIES TEAM

If ready to open your heart, share your life, and help children experience a safe and Christ-centered environment, we would love to hear from you.

GAP Ministries
Serving children. Strengthening families. Sharing Christ.

GAP Ministries is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

‍Being authorized to work in the United States is a precondition of employment. GAP Ministries does NOT sponsor employment visas.