Sr. Manager, Intake and Placement

DePelchin Children’s Center•Houston, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Intake and Placement oversees assessment, searches, and placement of children into appropriate care settings based on service packages or level of care, personal characteristics, behavioral needs, and other relevant factors. The role ensures placement strategies support family and child wellbeing, develops team strategies to reduce or eliminate children without placement, and ensures Community Based Care operations comply with federal and state regulations, agency policies, and evidence-based child welfare practices while exceeding contracted outcome goals. The position supervises intake and placement staff and works with providers, the DFPS state office placement team, referral sources, contracted service providers, community stakeholders, and other agencies. It is office-based in Regions 6a and/or 6b, with specific work locations to be assigned as staffing plans are finalized. The schedule is Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with occasional local and statewide travel as needed. Reliable transportation is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Ten years of professional experience in child welfare.
Three years in management or supervisory roles.
Knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws and regulations.
Experience developing and implementing best practices and procedures in a social service setting.
Knowledge of Community Based Care and Texas Child Centered Care.
Demonstrated experience using data to drive decision-making.
Ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
Experience working in complex, high-risk, and/or high-profile situations.
Demonstrated experience with placement searches, foster care, CLASS, and working with providers.
Reliable transportation for occasional local and statewide travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multiple programs or units.
Progressive management experience.
Preferred knowledge of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Responsibilities

Manage intake of new referrals and establish a system for assignments that considers caseload equity and staffing.
Ensure providers receive timely and accurate information about placement referrals.
Develop a system to track placement discharges and ensure subsequent referrals are made in a timely manner.
Triage cases based on urgency, safety, and placement needs.
Ensure the team is trained to match children to the least restrictive, most appropriate placement, including shelters, foster homes, general residential operations, and residential treatment centers.
Build relationships with providers and conduct quality assurance checks to support efficient placement-team operations.
Monitor placement availability to ensure capacity is being utilized.
Supervise intake and placement staff and provide training, support, and feedback.
Develop and implement protocols and best practices for the placement referral and intake process so placements are located promptly and without interruption to a child’s routine.
Work with the DFPS state office placement team to stay informed about policy changes and practice updates.
Make timely decisions and collaborate with referral sources to ensure clear communication and continuity of care.
Apply knowledge of Texas Child Centered Care service packages and add-ons.
Promote a culture that values child and family wellbeing.
Meet and exceed contract requirements.
Collaborate with contracted service providers, community stakeholders, and other agencies.