Human Services Specialist II - Family Services Intake Specialist (Subsidy Intake Worker)

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work.

About the role

A Human Services Specialist II in the Child Care Subsidy Case Management Unit provides social work services to low-income families from diverse backgrounds who qualify for childcare assistance. The role involves active case management with families toward reaching self-sufficiency goals, offering supportive counseling and crisis support, providing parent education, and authorizing services. The specialist analyzes and mediates child care concerns, provides information about early childhood education opportunities, and builds partnerships with childcare providers.

Responsibilities

• Conducts program intake interviews, eligibility determination, and needs assessments to identify family priorities, resources, and goals.
• Develops individual service plans addressing issues such as employment, job skill readiness, housing, and family or individual dynamics that may impact economic and employment stability.
• Maintains appropriate documentation according to federal, state, and departmental requirements.
• Authorizes services and maintains documentation in the current state case management system.
• Monitors client's progress toward self-sufficiency and works with clients to develop strategies to meet their goals.
• Provides resources for information and training on topics related to quality childcare, family self-sufficiency, school readiness, family engagement, child development, financial literacy, and navigating services for children with special needs.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with childcare providers.
• Participates in the complaint resolution process.
• Conducts site visits to programs to assess goodness of fit and makes appropriate recommendations for children and families experiencing difficulties within child care settings.
• Participates in multidisciplinary case consultation team meetings.
• Refers parents to developmental screening using the ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE (children birth – 5 years).
• Provides walk-in support for childcare and provider services.
• Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling.
• Identifies and assesses service delivery gaps and recommends solutions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid driver's license issued by the State of residence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in childcare subsidy services.
• Case management experience.
• Education, training, or experience in early childhood development.
• Bilingual in English and a language significantly represented in the population served.

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood, and Youth Development. CCF offers compassionate, collaborative, and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Teams support self-determination, safety, recovery, and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders.

Schedule

• Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (1-hour lunch each day)
• Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (1-hour lunch)

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver’s license.