Maternal & Child Health Communications Specialist – Helpline, Community Resources & Referrals

Job Details

• Job Title: Communications Specialist (Maternal & Child Health) – Helpline, Community Resources & Referrals

• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

• Work Arrangement: Remote

• Residency Requirement: Candidates must reside in Indiana

• First-Day Onsite Requirement: Must report onsite in Indianapolis on the first day of work to pick up equipment

• Number of Openings: 3

• Employment Type: Contract

• Estimated Start Date: November 30, 2026

• Estimated End Date: September 30, 2027

• Contract Duration: Approximately 10 months

• Submission/Application Deadline: November 4, 2026

• Candidate Pay Rate: $34.00 per hour

• Training Schedule: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM for 4–6 weeks

• Regular Working Hours After Training: 10:30 AM–7:00 PM Eastern Time

• Work Schedule: Specific workdays and weekly hours not provided

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Social Work, Information Technology, Education, Special Education, Home Visiting, or a related health or human services field

Position Overview

The Communications Specialist supports a maternal and child health helpline that connects mothers, pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and families with community services, information, referrals, and resources. The position helps identify barriers to accessing services and connects families with appropriate programs and providers.

The role also supports statewide efforts to reduce infant mortality by providing screening and referral services to eligible pregnant women in targeted counties, including direct outreach and referrals to home visiting services and other resources.

The successful candidate will help families navigate maternal and child health services while maintaining accurate records, following established intake and referral processes, and supporting effective coordination among service providers and community partners.

Education

• Required: Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Social Work, Information Technology, Education, Special Education, Home Visiting, or a related health or human services field

Required Skills / Experience

• Experience: 3 years of experience in positions involving maternal needs, special needs, or work with very young children

• Experience: 3 years of knowledge or experience related to typical and atypical child development and special needs conditions

• Experience: 3 years of prior experience utilizing databases and producing data reports

• Knowledge of social service and medical providers to whom helpline referrals are made

• Ability to develop specialized knowledge of Information and Referral (I&R) services and services available throughout Indiana

• Excellent listening skills and the ability to assess callers' situations and needs and determine appropriate referrals

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with professionals and the general public

• Compassion, understanding, and a nonjudgmental approach when working with people facing difficult situations

• Logical thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to remain composed during stressful circumstances, including suicide, abuse, and crisis calls

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and adapt to changing needs

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint

• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Ability to maintain attention to detail, interpret policies, resolve problems, and use good judgment when guiding callers toward appropriate resources

Preferred Skills / Experience

Nice to Have

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, Burmese, or Haitian Creole

Job Responsibilities

Helpline Operations and Client Support

• Handle a high volume of incoming and outgoing calls efficiently

• Help families navigate resources and referrals throughout the maternal and child health life cycle

• Complete intake and screening processes accurately and thoroughly

• Identify clients' barriers to accessing services and connect them with appropriate community resources

• Conduct screening and referral services for eligible pregnant women in targeted counties

• Contact eligible pregnant women directly and refer them to home visiting services and other resources

• Follow up with clients engaged in the system to help ensure service quality

Community Resources and Referral Coordination

• Develop in-depth knowledge of early childhood systems and programs, including Help Me Grow IN, Home Visiting, Early Childhood, Special Education, and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

• Understand program eligibility requirements, referral and application processes, due process information, and related support services

• Maintain knowledge of community resources and service providers throughout Indiana

• Assist in identifying gaps and barriers to services and trends in system issues experienced by families

• Apply Information and Referral (I&R) standards and use the Vision Link Database

• Send confirmation letters and resource information to referral sources

Data Reporting and Recordkeeping

• Assist in maintaining filing systems for all cases

• Support the Lead Communication Specialist in producing caller data reports

• Report daily call volumes and other data filters, including referrals, call types, needs, and providers

• Maintain attention to detail when recording and processing client information

Teamwork, Communication, and Professional Development

• Attend staff meetings, conferences, and workshops to enhance professional skills and stay informed about systems and current best practices for working with mothers, children, and families

• Work effectively as a team member and assist other staff members as needed

• Maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external partners to support daily problem-solving and interpretation of regulations and policies

• Communicate effectively with diverse groups of employees and partners with different functions and skill levels

• Work with relevant staff and contractors to support compliance with helpline requirements

Program and Compliance Support

• Represent the maternal and child health program and its internal and external partners in statewide coordination activities

• Support adherence to agency, state, and federal requirements

• Interpret policies and regulations, resolve problems, and use sound judgment when determining appropriate referrals

• Work independently and with minimal supervision while following established Information and Referral standards

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate is likely to have a background in maternal and child health, social services, early childhood development, special needs services, or a related health or human services field. The candidate should be comfortable handling a high volume of calls, assessing sensitive family situations, identifying barriers to care, and connecting individuals with appropriate community programs.

A competitive candidate will combine strong listening and communication skills with compassion, sound judgment, accurate documentation, database experience, and the ability to produce routine data reports. Familiarity with Information and Referral services, early childhood programs, home visiting services, and community resources throughout Indiana would be valuable for performing the responsibilities effectively.

Candidates should also be comfortable working independently in a remote environment, using Microsoft Office applications, maintaining case records, and collaborating with program staff and community partners.

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, Burmese, or Haitian Creole is a desirable differentiator, but it is not identified as a required qualification.

Work Schedule & Work Arrangement

• The position is remote, with an onsite requirement in Indianapolis on the first day to collect equipment

• Training hours are 8:30 AM–5:00 PM for 4–6 weeks

• Regular working hours after training are 10:30 AM–7:00 PM Eastern Time

• Candidates must reside in Indiana

• Specific working days and total weekly hours are not provided

Contract Information

• Contract period: November 30, 2026–September 30, 2027

• Three openings are available

• Candidate pay rate: $34.00 per hour

• Planned start date: November 30, 2026, subject to confirmation of candidate availability

Additional Information

• Absences exceeding two weeks require advance approval from management, and contact information must be provided so the resource can be reached during the absence

• The client reserves the right to dismiss the resource if they do not return to work by the agreed-upon date

• Candidates should be prepared to confirm acceptance of the attendance and availability requirements during the submission process