JOB SUMMARY

The Resource Parent Support Worker (RPSW) is dedicated to supporting both Specialized Behavioral Health (SBH) Resource Parents, as well as General Level Resource Parents.  RPSWs are assigned to assist the Resource Parents to help them achieve and support the well-being, stability, and permanency the permanency of the youth in care. This includes providing direct support to the Resource Parent to help them successfully meet the needs of the child or youth through the provision of supports and activities in home and community settings. Hours are from 9 am – 5pm, Monday through Friday, but may vary according to departmental needs. Regular travel required.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.

EXPERIENCE

At least one year of experience working within child, youth and family service systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Skills with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of PA Code 55 3680s, 3700s, and the Philadelphia DHS Foster Care Scopes of Service
• Knowledge and skills in cultural diversity
• Ability to achieve desired performance outcomes
• Ability to assess and problem solve
• Capable of working responsibly with highly confidential information
• Ability to multi-task and demonstrate good organizational skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid driver’s license and ability to use own vehicle.
• Must be free from any communicable/infectious diseases.
• Clean driving history record and carry a minimum of 100,000/300,000 personal liability insurance for own vehicle with a valid registration card.
• Provide a valid PA child abuse clearance, FBI check and Criminal Background Check.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides direct support, consultation and coaching to Resource Parents to help them successfully meet the emotional, behavioral, social, academic, developmental and physical needs of the youth placed in the home.
• Partners with Resource Parents to ensure the safety and stability of the child/youth in the home and ensures the Resource Parents maintain routine, follow up, and emergency medical and dental care; ensure that necessary documentation is obtained and provided to all necessary entities.
• Identifies caregiver challenges and/or issues that may jeopardize placement, stability and develop/implement strategies to mitigate the issues.
• Provides timely face-to-face support to Resource Parents as stated in the Scopes of Service with more frequent and intense contact for new placements and during periods of crisis.
• Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based, individualized parent training to support caregiver interventions in addressing/managing the unique needs of the children/youth in their home.
• Partners with the Resource Parent and CUA Case Manager to ensure that each child/youth is receiving the necessary, appropriate and effective behavioral health services to meet their individualized needs, where applicable.
• Supports Resource Parent completion of required documentation through training, ongoing review and monitoring of documentation, and licensing requirements.
• Completes, monitors, and updates Individualized Crisis Response Plans and Resource Parent Support plans as required.
• Provides support and coaching to ensure active and ongoing communication and collaboration between the Resource Parent and each youth’s CUA Case Manager, behavioral health provider, and educational team.
• Supports the development of a plan to meet the transportation needs of youth in the home; assist with transportation as necessary
• Participates in an on call system to provide crisis management and support to resource parents on a rotating basis.

COMPETENCIES

• Empowerment/Initiatives
• Individual Leadership
• Good Judgement
• Organizational Awareness
• Communication
• Quality Management

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).