Resource Parent Support Worker

About the Role

Join Our Team as a Resource Parent Support Worker and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role 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.

Under the supervision of the Foster Care Director, the Resource Parent Support Worker (RPSW) 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. This includes working directly with the resource caregiver to help them successfully meet the needs of the child or youth. The RPSW must provide 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. When a child or youth is first placed in the home, the RPSW must provide initial, in-person contact with the Resource Caregiver within three business days if they were not present at the actual placement.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, in-home support to Resource Caregivers focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of the child or youth.
• Support Resource Caregivers to stabilize the child or youth in the home and school setting by helping them understand child or youth behaviors from a developmental perspective, especially as they relate to trauma history.
• Support Resource Caregivers to effectively communicate with education, medical, dental, or other service providers working with the child or youth.
• Ensure Resource Caregivers are in compliance with medication administration and documentation.
• Maintain appropriate monthly visitation with Resource Families and advocate for their needs to obtain required resources and supports.
• Clearly and effectively communicate all pertinent information to involved parties, including participation in regular weekly supervision with the Foster Care Supervisor.
• Communicate with the child’s CUA worker, Child Advocate Social Worker, and Attorney when legal attention is warranted; promote and teach transferable self-advocacy skills to Resource Parents.
• Immediately communicate all safety concerns to the Foster Care Supervisor and support communication between Resource Parents and Community Umbrella Agency (CUA)/Department of Human Services (DHS) staff.
• Attend CUA case manager Quality visits, teaming meetings, Family Court, JPO-facilitated meetings, and court proceedings as invited or needed.
• Initiate communication with the CUA when services for a child or youth need re-evaluation based on their functioning and status in the placement setting.
• Obtain and provide necessary documents to Resource Caregivers, such as consents for medical, dental, or behavioral health care, and school documents.
• Obtain results of medical, dental, or treatment appointments for children in Resource Homes and provide them to the CUA.
• Maintain documentation of supports and interventions provided to Resource Caregivers, adhering to 3700 Foster Family regulations and ensuring the home is a safe environment for children placed.
• Within 48 hours of placing a child, meet face-to-face with Resource Parents to review all medical/dental information and develop a Transportation Plan.
• Within five days, develop and implement an Individual Crisis Plan in collaboration with the Resource Parent and CUA case manager, and a Respite Plan.
• Within 30 days of placement, develop and implement a Resource Parent Support Plan specific to each child placed in the home.
• Review medication logs and ANSEL CASEY assessments with Resource Parents.
• Maintain case records for Resource Parents and complete bi-weekly home visit/home safety documentation.
• Ensure respites are planned in advance and work with the Admission Coordinator to schedule them.
• Attend all required training and pursue professional development opportunities.
• Manage time effectively to complete direct service requirements and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with CUAs and Resource Parents to ensure adherence to agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain the appropriate number of training hours as required by local, state, and federal regulations.
• Monitor safety plans and Megan’s Law safety plans if needed.
• Coordinate with CUA providers to obtain outstanding records, documentation, and case management supports for children placed in Resource Homes.
• Link youth to resources, including obtaining medical, educational, and legal consents; retrieving behavioral health provider treatment consents; obtaining immunization records; securing medical insurance coverage; and mediating transportation arrangements.
• Conduct re-certification processes, create and remedy corrective action or safety plans in homes of crisis, and conduct in-home inspection visits and face-to-face meetings.
• Participate in monthly support groups, pre-service training (held one Saturday of each month), and host monthly focus groups with Resource Parents.
• Maintain contacts with Resource Parents, Community Umbrella Agencies, the Department of Human Services, and other community resources.
• Coordinate communications between Resource Parents and CUA staff and attend CUA meetings related to child welfare changes and regulatory updates.
• Consult and collaborate with agency personnel, referral sources, county agencies, and other external groups and individuals.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum 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.
• Experience: 3 years’ experience in Child Welfare or Juvenile Justice fields.

Skills

• 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 and work with a computer in performing duties.
• Ability to give clear, concise, and professional oral and written instructions.
• Excellent working knowledge of the child welfare system, family dynamics, childhood mental health issues, and systems impacting 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.
• Commitment to trauma-informed practices, including emotional intelligence, effective communication, understanding the impact of trauma on human development, and use of person-first and strengths-based language.

Physical Capabilities and Work Requirements

• Ability to walk up and 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 a flexible work schedule, often working on weekend days and evenings.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost, plus LTD coverage and AD&D insurance.
• Self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement 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 for stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Self-funded legal services for various legal matters.