Placement Specialist

State of Maryland • Baltimore City, MD

1d

About The Position

The main purpose of the Placement Specialist is to provide technical assistance, training, guidance, and support to the Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS), providers, and sister agencies for the placement of children in need of or who are currently receiving placement and permanency services. Working knowledge of COMAR foster care regulations and the DHS/SSA placement process are also required. This position requires the ability to assess the needs of children and provide placement assistance that ensures the most appropriate, least restrictive placements for children. Additionally, this position will assist in building the capacity and availability of placement resources to meet the needs of children in foster care. This position will vet and conduct initial site visits of recommended placement providers to assess the appropriateness of placement. DHS/SSA is responsible for ensuring that placement policies and procedures are in place requiring best practices to be implemented in all placement efforts.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.
• Two years of experience in a Child Welfare or Adult Services Program.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Sociology, or a similar closely-related major.
• Two years of the required experience using a child welfare management system of record, such as Child, Juvenile, and Adult Management System (CJAMs).
• One year of experience placing youth in out-of-home care (i.e., foster care, kinship care, and independent living).
• One year of experience working with foster care providers, local departments of social services, and/or other state agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provides primary weekend and after-hours consultation and guidance to LDSS and providers to ensure placement stability and resolve emergent barriers.
• Provide technical assistance, training, consultation, guidance, and support to LDSS staff, private placement providers, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and families and federal partners.
• Develop knowledge of licensed and contracted Maryland provider profiles, including the services provided and types of clients served.
• Coordinate placement efforts and provide technical assistance, training, consultation, guidance, and support to the LDSS staff regarding placements of special youth populations such as Medically Fragile, Developmentally/Intellectually Disabled, and Chronic Mental Health/Behavioral Challenges.
• Research and conduct initial onsite monitoring visits with new potential providers to ensure appropriateness and effectiveness of the program.
• Review Out-of-State (OOS) Packets submitted by the LDSS for potential placements for completion, appropriateness, and approval.
• Submit weekly placement reports to supervisor and DHS/SSA leadership.
• Provide statistics for Annual OOS report.
• Gather statistical data on a quarterly basis regarding specialized populations from CJAMS, LDSS's, and providers.
• Maintain data and statistical information related to placement resource issues, placements barriers for service reviews, annual reports and other inquiries from DHS/SSA leadership, The Children’s Cabinet, and The Children’s Bureau, etc.
• Assist in scheduling and coordinating the Provider Advisory Council meeting including establishing the agenda, location, invitation to attendees and other meeting logistics.
• Represent DHS at interagency committees, meetings, council meetings, and workgroups related to placement services and interagency initiatives as directed.
• Participate in Residential Treatment Center monthly in-person meetings/virtual meetings and/or phone conference calls with the RTC Coalition, and other state partners, regarding regular updates on residential providers and coordination of services.

Benefits

• health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost.
• Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
• Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level