Waiver Planning Specialist (ID/A) (Closes 9/14)

About the Role

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates, working onsite at Allegheny County DHS. The Priority Planning Specialist will be responsible for activities related to the implementation of the Administrative Entity Agreement with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The role primarily involves required planning activities for waiting list management, Intellectual Disability/Autism waiver enrollment, and service authorization. Duties also include ongoing quality reviews of system processes during waiver enrollment and tracking of state-funded initiatives and certification.

The incumbent must be conversant with and trained in all functions of the Priority Planning Unit, as the specific client focus will vary.

Responsibilities

• Assist with activities associated with managing the waiting list.
• Assist with planning activities related to critical unit functions such as Waiver Capacity Management, Initiative Planning, and Authorization of Services.
• Provide resource information and support to Service Coordination Units, families, and individuals, and assist Individual Support Teams with:
  • Identifying assessed needs of individuals.
  • Identifying opportunities to utilize Community of Practice Lifecourse Tools to assist individuals, families, and teams.
  • Incorporating necessary information into the ISP (Individual Support Plan).
  • Identifying potential providers to deliver services that support assessed service needs.
• Assist with adding sites and services in Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System (PROMISe) and Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS).
• Follow processes set forth by ODP, including variances, program capacity, and rate exceptions.
• Utilize Community of Practice Lifecourse Tools for planning and technical assistance:
  • Apply knowledge of existing resources and assist in locating newly available resources.
• Assist with updates related to spreadsheets/databases for tracking purposes, including:
  • ISP alert spreadsheet
  • Planning lists
  • Intensive needs planning
  • Vacancy management
  • Individual utilization
• Assist with HCSIS/Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Management through regular review of data and reports.
• Complete closures for individuals related to waiver capacity.
• Update information in HCSIS as needed.
• Collaborate with other internal teams (Fiscal, Service Authorization, Quality Management, and Monitoring) in sharing and processing information.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings concerning the overall program operations of the Priority Planning Team.
• Complete system reviews of high-priority individuals to ensure data integrity, including reviews of:
  • PUNS
  • ISP
  • Service Notes
  • Incident Management
  • Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q)
  • Risk Analysis
  • SC Monitoring
• Work with stakeholders to resolve issues, such as addressing inconsistencies with system information, individuals identified incorrectly, and ensuring proper processes and policy adherence. Stakeholders may include:
  • Supports Coordinator/Support Coordinator Supervisor
  • Families
  • Providers
  • Individuals
  • DHS Internal Partners (Fiscal, Financial, Planning)
  • Office of Developmental Programs
• Ensure State and Federal standards and policies are followed when implementing State and Federal Initiatives, including:
  • Waiver Eligibility/Pre-Admission meeting process
  • Certification process
  • Provider choice/transition
  • Service approval and authorization
• Initiatives may include:
  • Non-Traditional Group Home/Lifesharing
  • Group Home
  • Out of School/Employment
  • State Center/State Hospital/State Mandated litigations
  • Multi-System/Children’s
  • Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF)/ID
• Ensure implementation of Certification requirements as outlined in the Approved Pennsylvania State ID Waivers.
• Implement countywide policies and procedures established for the unit.
• Participate in all required state and county trainings.
• Attend meetings as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in social work or a related field, plus 1 year of previous experience working with families in the field of intellectual disability.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required to navigate in the community for work-related assignments.

Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, community agencies, providers, project partners, and stakeholders.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, and set priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Excellent knowledge of MH/ID service delivery and systems theory, including provider delivery systems.
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Internet research methods.

About the Organization

DHS is diverse but strives to be even more inclusive, with equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level. The organization values strong, assertive leaders and does not hire "yes-people." You can make a significant impact here. DHS stands out as one of the best human services organizations in the country, but it needs problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to ensure smart use of funding to help those who most need it.

From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion: "DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work."