Eligibility Specialist

Community Family Advocates•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

This is professional social service work in the County Children and Youth Agency. Employees in this class are responsible for the Title IV-E eligibility determination process. This process requires individual interviews, file review, compilation of files and collaboration with fiscal and casework staff. An important aspect of this process is the employment of interpersonal skills in scheduling interviews and obtaining essential income and demographic information from parents whose children have been placed in out of home care. Work also involves the responsibility for eligibility determinations based on information gathered in interviews with parents, case file and fiscal file review resulting in a compilation of a file that contains all documentation necessary to support the County claim to federal foster care monies. Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, policies and procedures, but employees are expected to exercise initiative and judgment in discharging their duties. Work is reviewed by a professional social service or administrative supervisor through regularly scheduled individual and group conferences and the review of records and reports.

Requirements

Fundamental knowledge of societal problems that impact clients involved with the child welfare system.
Knowledge of casework process, including principles of case practice, case documentation, the courts and the foster care system.
Knowledge of federal regulations (ASFA & the Social Security Act) that relate to Title IV-E.
Ability to conduct thorough interviews of clients in order to gather all information necessary to the claim process.
Ability to collaborate with caseworkers and supervisors in order to expedite the process of client contract and file creation.
Ability to plan and organize work, compile complete and accurate records and maintain case flow.
Ability to interpret relevant laws, regulations and policy governing the eligibility determination process.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social service agency.
OR Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in a related field.
OR One year experience as a County Eligibility Specialist or in a position requiring familiarity with Title IV-E regulations, plus two years experience in a position that requires contact with diverse clients.
OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience that meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Related fields include sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences fields.
Act 33 and 34 Clearances
Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle are required to make home visits to the families.

Responsibilities

Interviews clients in order to gather demographic and income information and documentation necessary to determine financial responsibility for Title IV-E funding of placement.
Works collaboratively with caseworkers and supervisors to ensure that client interviews are completed in a timely manner.
Interprets Title IV-E regulations for clients in a manner that is easily understood and fosters cooperation with assessment.
Completes a thorough review of the child’s case file to gather all pertinent information and ensure that all Title IV-E eligibility criteria are met.
Constructs a file that integrates fiscal, casework and placement history information and is in compliance with all Title IV-E regulations.
Completes bi-annual redeterminations on all Eligible clients.
Completes monthly peer reviews as designated by Manager.
Repairs cases that do not meet quality standards.
Attends all staff meetings, individual and group supervisory conferences and training programs designed to develop and enhance knowledge and performance.
Distributes and collects Random Moment Time Studies and submits to Reimbursability Specialist in a timely manner.
Scans and Indexes Foster Care, JPO, and Adoption case files into OnBase.