Parent Resource Worker

Mary's Center is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and the communities we serve. We embrace diversity of experiences, ideas, and individuals, and seek to bring a diverse group of candidates to the table.

Important Note: Mary's Center is mandating the COVID-19 vaccine + booster for all staff.

Position Summary

The Parent Resource Worker (PRW) for Mary's Center provides screening and completes the FROG (Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth) Scale (the Healthy Families America [HFA] assessment) with parents (prenatally and/or immediately after the birth of their child) to determine eligibility for home visitation services and to connect the family with needed resources and referrals on a need/availability basis.

Reportability

This position will report directly to the Parent Resource Worker Supervisor (PRW Supervisor).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Engage Participant and Family:

• Use various strategies, including reflective practice techniques, to build trust and rapport with families.
• Practice cultural humility and integrate the family's values and culture into conversations; and
• Explain worker's role, responsibilities, and participant's rights, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.

Intake:

• Complete FROG Scale on all participants referred.
• Target 5-10 FROG Scales per week or as required based upon needs of the program and/or agency.
• The PRW is responsible for meeting encounter targets and managing their own schedules to meet these targets.
• Gather information from referral source, participant chart, and other pertinent sources in determining participant eligibility in the Healthy Families America program.
• Assess eligibility in Mary's Center programs.
• Complete internal and external referrals with the participant's consent.
• Submit and track completed referrals daily.
• Review completed intake and FROG Scale for accuracy prior to submitting to the PRW Supervisor for review; and
• Conduct outreach with referral partner agencies and health fairs as needed.

Referrals:

• Create outreach plan for each referral assigned and provide plan to supervisor during weekly supervision.
• Provide referrals and support for assigned cases prior to entry into an appropriate program.
• Link families who are assessed but either not eligible for services or decline services to community resources.
• Ensure families understand the role of the service provider and the type of services provided by the program to which they are referred. Work with assigned service provider to connect with family on an "as needed" basis until family is engaged and/or re-engaged into the referred program or services; and
• Update Screen Log tracker on progress and outcome for each referral daily.

Documentation:

• Complete and submit FROG Scales within two business days.
• Resubmit corrected FROG Scales within two business days after receiving corrections from the PRW Supervisor.
• Enter all data in appropriate database system, including agency's database and grantor's database if applicable.
• Ensure that all applicable forms are complete, proofread for accuracy, reviewed and signed-off by PRW Supervisor, and filed in a timely manner in accordance with project, evaluation, and funding requirements.
• Document all interactions with participant, family members, and collateral contacts.
• Complete monthly reports as required; and
• Report incidents of child abuse and neglect.

Program and Professional Growth:

• Attend weekly supervision with the PRW Supervisor and report to supervisor on an "as needed" basis. Supervision may be divided into two days if needed.
• Participate in organization-wide and division-wide meetings and committees, departmental meetings, and other meetings/conferences as assigned.
• Share experiences and insights at said events, seek input from others, and utilize any information learned in the course of daily work activities.
• Work to ensure a healthy collaborative relationship with other Mary's Center programs and departments, as well as outside agencies.
• Raise concerns and questions in a manner that promotes a discussion for solutions.
• Identify and participate in other trainings or committees that can further professional growth.
• Identify various community needs and address them through team meetings and events; and
• With the assistance of supervisor, identify performance strengths as well as areas needing further development.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities -

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, or related field or
• 3 years of relevant work experience with 2 of those years providing direct services to children, youth, and families.
• Must possess knowledge of community resources and the ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English. Bilingual in Spanish required.
• Experience and willingness to provide services to culturally diverse communities and families.
• Knowledge of infant and child development preferred.
• Willingness to engage in reflective practice a plus.
• A working knowledge and understanding of patient/participant confidentiality issues and HIPAA compliance/regulations are essential.

Language Requirement - Must have the ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English. Bilingualism in Spanish is required as used by the target community.

Physical Demands - Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms; required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, or hear; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds

Work Environment - Mostly in a typical office and/or home setting with quiet to moderate noise level. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity due to outside weather conditions. Opportunity to work a hybrid schedule - remotely & onsite, as needed. Potential return to a fully on-site schedule.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental & vision insurance, plus retirement options
• 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to 10 paid holidays, plus educational days to attend training and conferences
• CME/License renewals
• $2000/year educational reimbursement to attend training and conferences
• NHSC/HRSA loan repayment options, if applicable
• WMATA metro/bus subsidy