Resource Parent Support Worker

Northern Children Services • Philadelphia, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Our Team as a Resource Parent Support Worker and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families! Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future? Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision. We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation. We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Child development, Counseling, Public Health, Behavioral Science, Child and Family Studies
• 3 years’ experience in Child Welfare or Juvenile Justice Fields
• Ability to communicate and interact with staff within and outside the agency.
• Ability to assess and define needs and problems, collect data, develop factual information and draw valid professional conclusions.
• Ability to effectively present and respond to questions from various sources.
• Ability to accurately calculate numbers.
• Ability to work with a computer in performing duties.
• Ability to give clear, concise and professional oral and written instructions.
• Excellent working knowledge of child welfare system and family dynamics/childhood mental health issues and needs as well as the systems that impact on children and youth.
• Strong knowledge of case management practices and requirements.
• Ability to assess training needs and develop training programs for resource parents.
• Ability to assess applicants to determine their capabilities to become resource parents.
• Ability to walk up & down stairs, climb, reach and bend.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to operate a laptop computer and smartphone.
• Current valid driver’s license, car registration and vehicle insurance.
• Ability to adjust to flexible work schedule, often working on weekend days and evenings.
• Willingness to learn and maintain the value of a trauma-informed culture.
• Commit to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety, nonviolence, and resilience as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
• Knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Effective communication.
• Understanding of the impact of trauma on human development.
• Use of person-first and strengths-based language.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership Opportunity
• Supportive Environment
• Empowerment and Progress
• Effective Communication
• Empowerment Through Planning
• Continuous Monitoring and Progress Documentation
• Excellence
• Networking and Collaboration

Responsibilities

• Works directly with the Resource Parent to help them achieve and support the well-being, stability and permanency of the child or youth in care.
• Works directly with the resource caregiver to help them successfully meet the needs of the child or youth.
• Provides face-to-face support to the resource caregiver a minimum of one time per month, with more frequent and intense contacts for new placements and during periods of need.
• Provides initial, in-person contact with the Resource Caregiver within three business days if they were not present at the actual placement when a child or youth is first placed in the home.
• Ensures the safety and well-being of the child or youth.
• Supports the Resource Caregiver to stabilize the child or youth in the home and school setting by helping the Resource Caregiver understand from a developmental perspective child or youth behaviors as they may relate to their trauma history.
• Supports Resource Caregivers to effectively communicate with any education, medical, dental or other service providers working with the child or youth.
• Ensures Resource Caregivers are in compliance with medication administration and documentation.
• Maintains appropriate monthly visitation with Resource Families.
• Advocates for the needs of the consumer to obtain needed resources and supports.
• Clearly and effectively communicates all pertinent information to involved parties.
• Participates in regular weekly supervision with the Foster care Supervisor.
• Communicates with the child’s CUA worker, Child Advocate Social Worker and Attorney when legal attention is warranted.
• Promotes and teaches transferable self-advocacy skills to Resource Parents.
• Communicates all safety concerns to the Foster care Supervisor immediately.
• Supports and bridges communication barriers between Resource Parents and Community Umbrella Agency (CUA)/Department of Human Services (DHS) staff.
• Attends CUA case manager Quality visits occurring in the Resource Home, as invited by the CUA or as requested by the RPSW.
• Attends teaming meetings, as invited.
• Attends Family Court, as invited and not in lieu of the CUA’s appearance.
• Attends JPO facilitated Teamings or meetings prior to Court and Court proceedings as needed.
• Initiates communication with the CUA when the current array of services a child or youth is receiving needs to be re-evaluated by the CUA Case Manager based on the child or youth’s functioning and status in the placement setting.
• Obtains documents from the CUA that may be needed by the Resource Caregiver and providing them to the caregiver, such as consents for medical, dental, or behavioral health care; school documents etc.
• Obtains results of medical, dental or treatment appointments the child receives while in the Resource Home and providing them to the CUA.
• Maintains documentation of supports and interventions provided to the resource Caregivers.
• Adheres to the 3700 Foster family regulations.
• Ensures the home is a safe environment for children placed.
• Meets face to face with the resource parents to review all medical/dental information within 48 hours of placing a child.
• Develops a Transportation Plan.
• Develops and implements an Individual Crisis plan in collaboration with the resource parent and the CUA case manager within five days in order to meet the needs of the child.
• Develops and implements a Resource Parent Support Plan specific to each child placed in the home within 30 days of placement.
• Develops and implements Respite Plan within five days.
• Reviews medication logs with Resource parents.
• Reviews ANSEL CASEY with Resource parent.
• Maintains case record for the resource parents.
• Completes bi-weekly home visit/home safety documentation.
• Ensures respites are planned in advance.
• Works with the Admission Coordinator to schedule respites.
• Attends all required training and pursues other training for professional development.
• Manages time effectively in order to complete direct service requirements and required documentation.
• Works collaboratively with each CUA and resources parents to ensure agency policies and procedures are adhered.
• Maintains the appropriate number of training hours as required by local, state and federal regulations.
• Monitors safety plans.
• Monitors Megan’s law safety plans if needed.
• Coaches the resource parent on home based strategies to address mental health, Physical health needs of the child.
• Coordinates with CUA providers, in order to obtain outstanding records, documentation and case management supports needed for children placed in their homes.
• Obtains medical, educational, and legal consents.
• Retrieves behavioral health provider treatment consents for children in need of psychological evaluation and treatment.
• Obtains immunization shot records.
• Solidifies and obtains accurate medical insurance coverage information.
• Obtains placement agreement letters from CUA staff.
• Mediates transportation arrangements between CUA providers and Resource Parents.
• Conducts re-certification process.
• Creates & remedies any corrective action plans or safety plans needed in homes of crisis.
• Conducts in- home inspection visits, face-to-face meetings with Resource Parents and CUA staff, phone conferences, and Foster care team meetings.
• Participates in monthly support groups.
• Participates in Pre-service training (held one Saturday of each month.).
• Hosts Monthly focus groups with Resource parents.
• Maintains contacts with level resource parents, Community Umbrella Agencies and the Department of Human Services.
• Maintains contacts with other community resources and agencies.
• Coordinates communications between Resource Parents and CUA staff.
• Attends CUA meetings, relating to child welfare changes and regulatory updates.
• Consults and collaborates with agency personnel, referral sources, county agencies and other groups and individuals external to the program.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost for full-time employees.
• Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance.
• Range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance.
• 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• NCS Educational Expense Reimbursement program.
• Generous paid time off or sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential referral and counseling services.
• Self-funded legal services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level