What is a Houseparent?
Many residential education programs use the term “houseparent” to describe their live-in child care workers. It can, in most cases, be used interchangeably with residential child care worker, family teacher, home parent, residential counselor, direct care staff, and teaching parents. Houseparents can be married couples or single people, and each program has its own requirements as to what position is needed.
Houseparents and Children at Palmer Home for Children in Mississippi
Houseparents are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the campus cottage or dorm cluster under their supervision. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the care of children, preparation of meals, teaching social skills, assisting with homework, attending school meetings, teaching home cleanliness, teaching hygiene skills, taking youth clothing shopping, and the overall maintenance of a household. In most cases, houseparents are responsible for basic home and yard maintenance, grocery shopping, and completion of paperwork required in the care of youth as well. At any given time, a houseparent may have eight or more youth living with them in their care.
Houseparents are trained professionals, in many cases requiring two weeks or more of training before taking the position, along with on-going training and support while employed. They must meet and adhere to rigorous state licensing, as well as high program standards that are set for them when caring for youth.
Being a houseparent is not only a job, it is a lifestyle choice as well. Many houseparents find their job to be very rewarding; they have an opportunity to live and work with their spouse (if married) and raise and care for children in need. They choose to make a change in their life to run a large household and care for those in need. Most houseparents look at their role as more than a job; it is their home which they welcome youth into to help make their home as well, regardless of the length of stay. Often times, houseparents are very active in the lives of the youth they care for, including attending football games, choir performances, and celebrating birthdays, and continue to remain in contact with and serve as a support system for youth after they leave their care. Houseparents are responsible for helping build a warm, nurturing, healthy, and stable environment in which youth can grow and learn – encouraging and teaching them the skills they need to be successful in life.