Human Services Specialist 3

Department of Child Safety

About the role

The Adoption and Guardianship Subsidy Case Manager provides senior-level case management with direct/indirect assistance to hard-to-place adoptive children and their families. This position reviews applications to determine eligibility for the respective programs, creates cases in the software systems to allow for payments to be processed and the child to receive insurance coverage, and provides ongoing support/advocacy to the family.

Responsibilities

• Determines if hard-to-place children in adoptive/guardianship homes are eligible for adoption or guardianship assistance respectively using completed federal and state criteria.
• Supports the integration and stability of the child with the adoptive family.
• Provides adoptive parents with resources available through public and private entities.
• Clearly and accurately documents each "special condition" of the child on the adoption subsidy agreement.
• Provides case management and crisis intervention services to adoptive families of children who meet the "legal definition of a child with special needs."
• Provides comprehensive senior-level case management services and supports to prevent adoptions from disrupting and to support the family unit through the provision of needed social services.
• Consults with the child's behavioral health and medical professionals, adoptive parents, school personnel, and Department of Child Safety (DCS) staff to identify the level and frequency of services required to maintain children in their family unit.
• Completes all required documentation on approved cases to comply with state and federal requirements.
• Ensures that adoption subsidy agreements are executed prior to the finalization of the adoption.
• Informs adoptive parents of their appeal rights/due process if services are reduced, terminated, or denied, and prepares the case for the appeal hearing.
• Provides training/technical assistance to adoptive parents and adoption workers on department policies/procedures.
• Provides DCS permanency staff with ongoing information regarding the adoption subsidy application process, documentation requirements, statutory time frames, and prior authorization requirements.
• Ensures that all processes are completed timely and accurately in computer software systems that allow for payments to be processed and medical coverage to be in place.
• Reviews and resolves high-profile case-specific issues and concerns.
• Works with the office of the Attorney General, DCS Central Office administrators, medical and behavioral health professionals, and school personnel to resolve case-specific issues and concerns at the lowest level of intervention.
• Performs other duties as assigned related to the position.

Requirements

• Knowledge of complex federal and state adoption laws, regulations, and policies.
• Understanding of family dynamics, child development, and behavior.
• Awareness of sources of family conflict and community social service resources to support adoptive families.
• Knowledge of appropriate treatment for approved special service subsidies.
• Skills in interviewing and helping adoptive families and their children to understand and address problems that could cause disruption of placement.
• Ability to manage documentation and meet deadlines in processing active cases.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, families, and staff in other professions and agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to conduct training and interpret program policies, procedures, and rules.

Qualifications

The preferred candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or another social science program and previous experience in adoptions or child welfare.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.
• If driving or using a vehicle is an essential function of the job, a valid driver's license is required.
• All newly hired State employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Vacation time accrued at 4:00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years.
• Sick time accrued at 3:42 hours bi-weekly.
• Deferred compensation plan.
• Wellness plans.
• Option for full-time or part-time remote work schedule to improve work/life balance.
• Paid Parental Leave program.

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Pay

$22.6003 hourly / $47,008.62 annually