TLS Program Support Lead

Texas Health and Human Services Commission • Houston, WA

22h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals. This role performs highly complex (senior-level) program compliance, quality assurance, and systems improvement work involving examining, evaluating, and monitoring transitional living services, policies, contracts, program performance, and documentation to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, DFPS policies, and Transitional Living Services program requirements. It oversees program monitoring activities that support positive outcomes for youth preparing to transition from foster care to successful adulthood. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Experience in social work or related field.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice gerontology, early childhood education, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred.
• A master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, public administration, education, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements related to child welfare, transitional living services, contract monitoring, and compliance review activities.
• Skill in conducting data analysis, evaluating program performance, monitoring compliance, and preparing clear and accurate reports and recommendations.
• Skill in using computer systems, databases, and applicable software to collect, maintain, assess, and report program and compliance data.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, implement effective solutions, maintain productive working relationships, and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• May require registration, certification, or licensure in a specialty area related to child welfare, social services, program management, or contract monitoring.
• Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
• State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
• As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.
• DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice gerontology, early childhood education, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred.
• A master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, public administration, education, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review contracts, grants, and other legal documents, evaluating contract language, grant requirements, and service agreements related to Transitional Living Services, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL), Housing Support Services, Aftercare Room and Board Assistance, Youth Leadership Development, and other independent living services to ensure alignment with federal Chafee requirements, DFPS policies, and state regulations.
• Coordinate with DFPS legal staff, procurement teams, fiscal staff, and program specialists to review contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and provider agreements prior to execution or renewal, ensuring services support youth development, housing stability, permanency, education, and employment outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs), community-based organizations, housing providers, educational partners, workforce agencies, and other state entities to strengthen contract development and service delivery.
• Perform compliance reviews that are primarily highly complex in nature or large in scale, reviewing statewide Transitional Living Services projects, initiatives, and programs to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and DFPS policies while promoting positive outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
• Review and prepare reports and provide leadership on special projects assigned by Child Protective Services (CPS) management, including responses to legislative inquiries, executive leadership requests, media requests, audits, and public concerns.
• Develop quality assurance review protocols, monitoring tools, and performance measures to evaluate program effectiveness, identify systemic barriers, and ensure youth receive appropriate independent living services and supports.
• Collaborate with regional leadership, SSCCs, providers, and community partners to address identified compliance concerns and implement corrective action plans that improve service quality and youth outcomes.
• Perform routine compliance reviews that are primarily small or medium in scale to determine compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
• Conduct desk reviews and targeted compliance reviews of PAL services, housing support services, aftercare assistance, life skills training, and youth-specific program documentation to ensure adherence to federal and Texas requirements.
• Review data, provider submissions, and service delivery documentation to identify trends, compliance concerns, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Coordinate with regional offices, SSCCs, contractors, and providers to conduct quality assurance reviews in response to escalated concerns, leadership requests, audit findings, or legislative inquiries.
• Compile, review, and analyze data to verify documentation.
• Review and analyze program performance data, service utilization metrics, and outcome measures related to housing, education, employment, permanency, and youth engagement to identify service gaps and improve program effectiveness.
• Compile and verify supporting documentation for management reports, audits, legislative requests, strategic planning initiatives, and federal reporting requirements.
• Develop recommendations based on data analysis to improve service delivery, youth engagement, and long-term outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care.
• Examine program practices through review of youth records, provider documentation, and service delivery activities to identify compliance risks, service gaps, and barriers affecting successful transitions to adulthood.
• Conduct program assessments and quality assurance reviews to identify best practices and opportunities for continuous improvement within Transitional Living Services programs.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders to support corrective action and program enhancement activities.
• Lead workgroups, stakeholder meetings, and collaborative initiatives to identify compliance concerns, program challenges, and service delivery issues affecting youth and young adults.
• Develop and track corrective action activities to address identified deficiencies and improve provider performance and program outcomes.
• Partner with providers, community organizations, workforce agencies, educational institutions, housing organizations, and state agencies to develop solutions that improve service accessibility and effectiveness.
• Plan, develop, implement, and monitor Transitional Living Services initiatives and projects to ensure compliance with established requirements and performance standards.
• Collaborate with the Transitional Living Services (TLS) team to monitor service delivery outcomes, evaluate program effectiveness, and identify strategies that improve housing stability, educational attainment, employment readiness, financial literacy, and overall self-sufficiency for youth transitioning from foster care.
• Maintain, review, and evaluate program data maintained in DFPS systems and other tracking tools used to monitor Transitional Living Services activities and outcomes.
• Assess system-generated data to respond to executive leadership requests, legislative inquiries, audit activities, and urgent program needs.
• Regularly review data for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness while identifying reporting discrepancies and implementing corrective actions.
• Use reports and dashboards to identify trends, evaluate program performance, and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Maintain documentation related to monitoring activities, provider reviews, corrective action plans, complaints, technical assistance, and program improvement efforts.
• Assess documentation to identify recurring issues, compliance trends, training needs, and opportunities for policy or procedural improvements.
• Ensure records are maintained in accordance with federal and state retention requirements and are readily available for audits, monitoring reviews, and leadership requests.
• Conduct statistical sampling and review of youth case records, provider documentation, and program files to evaluate compliance with DFPS policy, federal requirements, and Transitional Living Services standards.
• Analyze sampled records to identify trends, strengths, service gaps, and compliance concerns affecting youth outcomes.
• Prepare comprehensive reports summarizing findings and recommendations for leadership to support decision-making, training priorities, policy enhancement, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Utilize review findings to strengthen service delivery systems and support DFPS's mission of promoting safety, permanency, well-being, and successful transitions to adulthood for youth in foster care and formerly in foster care.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

What This Job Offers

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