Human Services Specialist 3

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

93d•$47,001•Onsite

About The Position

The Adoption and Guardianship Subsidy Case Manager provides senior-level case management with direct/indirect assistance to hard to place adoptive children and their families. This position reviews applications to determine eligibility for the respective programs, and creates cases in the software systems to allow for payments to be processed and the child to receive insurance coverage. In addition, this position provides ongoing support/advocacy to the family.

Requirements

Complex federal and state adoption laws, regulations and policies
Family dynamics
Child development and behavior
Sources of family conflict
Community social service resources to help support adoptive families
Awareness of appropriate treatment for approved special service subsidies
Interviewing and helping adoptive families and their children to understand and address problems which could cause disruption of placement
Management to maintain documentation and meet deadlines in processing active cases
Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships for work with children, families and staff in other professions and agencies
Establish and maintain effective working relationships
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Conduct training
Interpret program policies, procedures and rules
Ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.
Driver’s License Requirements (if driving is an essential function).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Social work or other social science program
Previous experience in adoptions or child welfare
Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

Determines if hard to place children in adoptive/guardianship homes are eligible for adoption or guardianship assistance respectively using completed federal and state criteria. Supports the integration and stability of the child with the adoptive family. Provides adoptive parents with resources available through public and private entities. Clearly and accurately documents each "special condition' of the child on the adoption subsidy agreement.
Provides case management and crisis intervention services to adoptive families of children who meet the "legal definition of a child with special needs". Provides comprehensive senior-level case management services and supports to prevent these adoptions from disrupting and to support the family unit through the provision of needed social services. Consults with the child's behavioral health and medical professionals, adoptive parents, school personnel and Department of Child Safety (DCS) staff to identify the level and frequency of services required to maintain children in their family unit.
Completes all required documentation on approved cases to comply with state and federal requirements. Assures that adoption subsidy agreements are executed prior to the finalization of the adoption. If case managers reduce, terminate or deny services for the child, the case manager must inform the adoptive parent of their appeal right/due process, and prepare the case for the appeal hearing.
Provides training/technical assistance to adoptive parents and adoption workers on department policies/procedures. Provides DCS permanency staff with ongoing information regarding the adoption subsidy application process, documentation requirements, statutory time frames and prior authorizations requirements. Ensures that all processes are completed timely and accurately in computer software systems that allow for payments to be processed and medical coverage to be in place.
Reviews and resolves high profile case-specific issues and concerns. Works with the office of the Attorney General, DCS Central Office administrators, medical and behavioral health professionals and school personnel so that case-specific issues and concerns can be resolved at the lowest level of intervention.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.