Foster Care Liaison

About the role

The Foster Care Liaison (FCL) is responsible for high touch coordination between MetroPlusHealth, OCFS, LDSS/VFCA. The FCL is a key position in the Children’s Special Services Unit. The FCL ensures the timely enrollment and disenrollment of children in foster care to MetroPlusHealth and high touch coordination for all medically fragile HCBS population. The FCL works with the Health Home Liaison to ensure that members receive proper health home coordination services, timely CANS-NY assessments, and appropriate HCBS services. The incumbent is in direct contact with care coordinators, health home care managers and service providers. The FCL works with the Children’s Special Services clinical team to ensure that children in foster care who are MetroPlusHealth members receive timely access and appropriate level of clinical care.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as MetroPlusHealth’s point of contact to OCFS, LDSS/VFCA.
• Works with Children’s Special Services clinical staff to ensure the provision of clinical services, Health Home coordination and HCBS services to children in foster care who are MetroPlusHealth members.
• Works with LDSS/VFCA coordinators to promote and coordinate access to care.
• Makes sure appropriate care is given to children in foster care and/or medically fragile children placed in care.
• The FCL works with the Plan’s Customer Service, LDSS and/or VFCA to ensure the seamless and timely enrollment and disenrollment of children in foster care.
• The FCL works with the Plan’s Health Home Liaison and case/UM managers to ensure that members receive the appropriate clinical, health home and HCBS services they need.
• The FCL works with LDSS/VFCA, MetroPlusHealth’s clinical teams to ensure continuation of care for members dis-enrolling from the plan and/or leaving foster care.
• Aids the Children’s Special Services clinical team to comply with UM requirements for the medically fragile population set forth by the “Office of Health Insurance Programs Principles for Medically Fragile Children”.
• Helps generate reports of trends in grievances, appeals and denials.
• Ensures the monitoring of care coordination, CANS-NY assessments and HCBS services provided by Health Homes and HCBS providers.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Medical Director, Director of Children’s Special Services, and the Behavioral Health Department Management.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in social work or related discipline; and
• Must have at least 5 years of experience working with children in foster care; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience, knowledge, and skills sufficient to indicate ability to perform satisfactorily.
• Must have thorough knowledge of OCFS’ regulations, procedures, and standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the different players and agencies in the foster care field.
• Experience working in managed health care, preferred

Licensure and/or Certification Required

• A valid license and current registration to practice as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

Professional Competencies

• Integrity and Trust
• Customer Focus
• Functional/Techinical Skills
• Written/Oral Communication