Transition Specialist Coordinator

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Denton, TX

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and support at 13 centers located throughout the state. If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! The Transition Specialist Coordinator works under the general supervision of the State Office Director of Capacity and Service Continuity. Performs highly advanced (senior level) consultative, technical, and supervisory work. Assigns and oversees the work of 15 Transition Specialists located across the state at the 13 State Supported Living Centers (SSLC). Confers with Transition Specialist staff on program issues and problems to identify and implement solutions. Reviews each Transition Specialist’s monthly report for ongoing activity in the area of education and transition activities and prepares a quarterly report for state office regarding the effectiveness of program activities and budget status. Prepares and updates training and operational manuals, develop program guidelines and procedures and monitors compliance with procedures. Provides ongoing training for the Transition Specialist staff year-round and through consultation visits at each facility. Coordinates annual Transition Specialist training meeting. Provides training and technical assistance to facility staff and prepares and conducts presentations regarding the transition specialist program. Participate in State Review Team visits and monitoring, and the completion of those reviews. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Skill in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, supportive counseling, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation and advocacy skills are required.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to collect and analyze data, prepare and maintain records, coordinate therapeutic programs, and oversee the work of others.
• Ability to work professionally with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, staff and family members.
• Knowledge of Microsoft computer programs and ability to learn similar proprietary software unique to ICF/ID facilities.
• Knowledge of rehabilitation programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Knowledge of HHS community programs including ICF/ID and waiver programs.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and to devise solutions to problems.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a human services field and two years of experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or other disabilities.
• Experience with community ICF/IID or Medicaid waiver programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage activities of staff in the program area. Plan, assign, oversee, and prioritize the work, schedule and travel of 15 Transition Specialists (TS) located across the state at the 13 State Supported Living Centers. Coordinate and meet monthly with all Transition Specialist staff on program issues and problems to identify and implement solutions. Meet individually with each TS staff for supervision and professional development as needed.
• Reviews Money Follows the Person Grant goals and metrics. Reviews each Transition Specialist’s monthly reports for ongoing grant-related activity and prepares quarterly reports for State Office regarding the progress toward grant benchmarks and updates on program activities and budget status. Drafts the program’s annual report and budget and submits it to supervisor for timely review. Maintains reports and logs of transitional activities, educational opportunities, tours, in-services, etc. Assists in the development of the Obstacle Report and other reports that are prepared for the SSLC administrative/management team.
• Provides administrative consultative services and technical guidance to the SSLC interdisciplinary team regarding identification of needed support and services for individuals referred to for alternate placement, identification of barriers to alternate placement and initialization of programming to overcome the barrier. Prepares and updates training and operational manuals, develop program guidelines and procedures and monitors compliance with procedures.
• Provides training and technical assistance to facility staff and prepares and conducts presentations regarding the transition specialist program, ICF transition activities and other programmatic needs. Assists in the development of publications, tools to educate individuals, LARs/families, and interdisciplinary team members regarding living options and the transition process. Schedules and conduct training regarding community living options, the transition process and planning for transition.
• Consults with the local authority and community providers for resource identification and maintains a Resource Guide detailing community support/services currently available in the geographic area of the SSLC. Provides support, collaboration and assistance in the planning and coordination of bi-annual Community Provider Fairs at all 13 SSLCs. Serves as a liaison to individuals, LARS/families, interdisciplinary team members, staff, community providers and local authorities to provide information regarding the community referral and transition process.
• Travels and participates in State Review Team visits and monitoring, and the completion of those reviews and associated reports. Performs review Admissions and Placement Department functions regarding referrals for community placement as well as community transition activities performed by SSLC staff. Provide feedback to SSLC staff on findings of SRT reviews and assists in the creation of performance improvement plans to ensure corrective action is timely and appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees