Resource Parent Support Worker

Northern Children's Services•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Northern Children’s Services is seeking a Resource Parent Support Worker (RPSW) to support resource parents in promoting the well-being, stability, and permanency of children and youth in care. Reporting to the Foster Care Director, the RPSW provides direct support to caregivers so they can meet the needs of children in their homes, including helping caregivers understand behaviors in light of developmental needs and trauma histories, communicate with service providers, and follow medication administration and documentation requirements. The role requires regular face-to-face contact with resource caregivers at least monthly, with more frequent support for new placements or when needs arise. The RPSW must make an initial in-person visit within three business days of a placement if not present when the child arrives, and must meet caregivers within 48 hours to review medical and dental information. The worker develops and implements individualized support, crisis, respite, and transportation plans; monitors home safety and safety plans; maintains records; and coordinates services and information with caregivers, Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs), the Department of Human Services, and community providers. The position also involves attending meetings and court proceedings when invited or needed, supporting caregiver communication and advocacy, coordinating access to medical, educational, behavioral health, and legal resources, conducting recertification and home inspections, and participating in trainings and support groups. The RPSW is expected to use trauma-informed, person-first, and strengths-based practices and help sustain a safe, therapeutic environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Child Development, Counseling, Public Health, Behavioral Science, or Child and Family Studies.
Three years of experience in child welfare or juvenile justice fields.
Excellent working knowledge of the child welfare system, family dynamics, childhood mental health issues and needs, and systems affecting children and youth.
Strong knowledge of case management practices and requirements.
Ability to communicate and interact with staff inside and outside the agency.
Ability to assess and define needs and problems, collect data, develop factual information, and draw valid professional conclusions.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from various sources.
Ability to calculate numbers accurately.
Ability to use a computer to perform job duties.
Ability to provide clear, concise, professional oral and written instructions.
Ability to assess training needs and develop training programs for resource parents.
Ability to assess applicants’ capabilities to become resource parents.
Current valid driver’s license, car registration, and vehicle insurance.
Ability to walk up and down stairs, climb, reach, bend, and lift 20 pounds.
Ability to operate a laptop computer and smartphone.
Ability to adjust to a flexible schedule, often including weekend days and evenings.
Willingness to learn and maintain a trauma-informed culture and support a therapeutic environment based on safety, nonviolence, and resilience.
Knowledge and use of trauma-informed practices, emotional intelligence, effective communication, understanding of trauma’s impact on human development, and person-first, strengths-based language.

Responsibilities

Provide direct, in-home support to resource caregivers to promote the safety, well-being, stability, and permanency of children and youth in care.
Maintain face-to-face contact with resource families at least monthly and provide more frequent support when placements are new or needs arise.
Make an initial in-person visit within three business days of a placement when not present at placement, and meet caregivers within 48 hours to review medical and dental information.
Help caregivers understand children’s behavior in relation to developmental needs and trauma histories, and support stabilization at home and school.
Support caregivers in communicating with education, medical, dental, behavioral health, and other service providers.
Ensure caregivers follow medication administration and documentation requirements; review medication logs.
Advocate for children and caregivers to obtain needed resources and supports, and communicate pertinent information to involved parties.
Communicate safety concerns immediately to the Foster Care Supervisor and support communication between resource parents and CUA/DHS staff.
Attend CUA quality visits, teaming meetings, family court, JPO meetings, and other meetings when invited or needed, without replacing the CUA’s responsibilities.
Coordinate with CUA staff and providers to obtain records, consents, placement documents, treatment information, insurance details, and other case-management supports.
Develop and implement transportation plans, individual crisis plans, respite plans, and child-specific Resource Parent Support Plans within the specified timelines.
Maintain caregiver support and intervention documentation, case records, home-safety documentation, and compliance with foster family regulations.
Conduct bi-weekly home visits and home-safety documentation, in-home inspections, recertification processes, and corrective action or safety planning when needed.
Monitor safety plans, including Megan’s Law safety plans when applicable.
Coordinate respite planning with the Admission Coordinator and resource parents.
Coach resource parents on home-based strategies addressing children’s mental and physical health needs and link youth to resources.
Attend required training, pursue professional development, maintain required training hours, and participate in monthly support groups and pre-service training.
Host monthly focus groups with resource parents.
Maintain working relationships with resource parents, CUAs, DHS, community agencies, referral sources, and other relevant groups.
Participate in regular weekly supervision with the Foster Care Supervisor.
Manage time to complete direct service and documentation requirements and collaborate with CUAs and resource parents to follow agency policies and procedures.
Promote caregiver self-advocacy and use trauma-informed, person-first, strengths-based practices.

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance for full-time employees.
Dental insurance for full-time employees.
Vision insurance for full-time employees.
Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage for full-time employees.
Long-term disability coverage for full-time employees.
Self-funded accident, cancer, life, critical illness, and short-term disability insurance plans.
401(k) savings plan with matching contribution after one year of employment.
Educational expense reimbursement program.
Paid time off or sick leave.
Employee Assistance Program offering confidential referral and counseling services.
Self-funded legal services.