Program Specialist Resource Unit

An employee in this class reviews administers analyzes evaluates monitors and coordinates children youth and families program objectives policies and operations of organizational segments of a county children youth and families agency. Employees provide administrative services to agency staff concerning program planning interpreting overall program objectives and advising on problems related to the coordination of the children youth and families agency. Important aspects of the work are reviewing and analyzing existing data concerning children youth and families programs preparing reports evaluating program effectiveness and recommending changes in operational methods. Assignments are specialized in nature and limited to selected areas of operation and methods employed. Supervision may be exercised over professional sub-professional and clerical staff. Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences and reports.

• Conduct regular case and quality service reviews of agency active cases adoptive foster and kinship files to ensure compliance with state licensing federal Children and Family Services Review DPW Bulletins and regulations.
• Ensure all files are in compliance. If a file is non-compliant make recommendations to staff. Follow-up to ensure compliance
• Conduct case reviews using a Quality Assessment/ Review tool developed by the agency geared toward each type of unit within the agency.
• Collect data compile and analyze statistics identify trends and evaluate outcomes to assist in the development of the annual Needs Based Plan and Budget.
• Attend 10-day Permanency/Concurrent Planning meetings which occur on a weekly basis in the Children and Youth main office and the satellite location in Hazleton.
• Interview family members regarding their past social history as well as collect data necessary for the 4E audit such as completing Medical Assistance applications securing copies of Social Security cards birth certificates family income etc.
• Assist families in coordinating referrals to community resources as ordered by the court.
• Coordinate and facilitate the Integrated Family Resource Team meetings comprised of MH/MR Drug and Alcohol CAASP managed Care Entity JPO Family Group Decision Making FFT and other ad hoc members.
• Track caseworker visitations as mandated.
• Interpret new laws and regulation bulletins develop and implement new policies and procedures to ensure agency procedures comply with laws and regulations.
• Act as a representative of the policy development committee.
• Responsible for educating and training staff on compliance with agency state and federal policies regulations and procedures.
• Collect and compile statistical information regarding families served.
• Work in collaboration with the Director and Deputy Director to ensure open communication fiscal responsibility consistency of best practice performance by staff across the agency.
• Work collaboratively around the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
• Assist in planning development and implementation of comprehensive agency annual Needs Based Budget ensuring County state and federal requirements are addressed.
• Work closely in a collaborative supportive and positive manner with staff community and other governmental entities.
• Focus on developing progressive and proactive plans/strategies aimed at maximizing resources and having a positive impact on children youth and families.
• Attend meetings with courts the public and county officials as required.
• Prepare reports and correspondence as required by the Director or Deputy Director.
• Evaluate state regulations for their impact on functioning of agency programs with recommended actions needed to implement and comply.
• Understand agency program functions and integrate them with agency mission and operations. Understand and apply outcome measures and related data pertaining to contracted services. Work collaboratively with Supervisors in assurance of case compliance with licensure regulations.
• Serve as agency point person for Children Youth and Families Regional Office for the annual Licensure review of agency.
• Work collaboratively with contracting department and other county agencies to identify means of overseeing quality delivery of service by contracted providers.
• Evaluate agency policies and procedures. Evaluate and maintain agency training manual.
• Oversee orientation relating to agency goals objectives and operational procedures.
• Plan for and supervise the monitoring and follow-up of suggested improvement plans which result from QA case reviews QSR reviews and licensing reviews.
• Evaluate and make recommendations for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness within the QA department. Complete CWIS Swan Referrals as needed.
• Must have at least two years licensing foster care homes and/or must have ICPC knowledge manage casework and out-of-state placements.
• Responsible for reviewing analyzing processing coordinating and monitoring interstate placement and supervision referrals to ensure compliance with Pennsylvania adoption law interstate compact programs departmental policies and procedures and applicable federal and state laws.
• Work involves the approval and disapproval of adoptions and placements of interstate and intercounty children with parents adoptive parents or relatives. Approves or denies the placement of a child into the state for adoption foster care or parent/relative care.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of children youth and families program planning and development as it relates to the implementation of direct services and operational procedures.
• Knowledge of modern basic management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of current social economic and health problems and resources as it relates to children youth and families.
• Knowledge of the basic principles and methods involved in working with socially maladjusted or physically or mentally disadvantaged children and youth.
• Knowledge of the structure organization and methods of public and private children youth and families agencies and institutions.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods applied to collecting reviewing analyzing and interpreting statistical data.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.
• Ability to aid in the development and coordination of children youth and families program plans.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff and other agencies.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing.
• Understanding of FEI Concepts.