Children And Family Services Specialist 1 (NY Helps)

Regional Office Manager

This position is responsible for making sure that the local Department of Social Services and licensed foster care and adoption agencies in each county of their region are in compliance with NYS mandates governing child safety and working with urgency to improve permanency outcomes for children in foster care. Additionally, the Regional Office has the licensing and oversight responsibilities of domestic violence programs and runaway and homeless youth programs throughout the region. This position will provide monitoring and technical assistance regarding compliance to state mandates. Duties include:

• Working with Local Dept. of Social Services and Voluntary Agencies using a data informed approach to improve the outcomes of children and families, based on federal and state standards.
• Review and evaluate local district County Plans and/or Annual Plan Updates as assigned. Provide County Plan monitoring and technical assistance to Districts as necessary
• Participate in program reviews for local departments of social services and voluntary child-care agencies such as Oversight and Monitoring Assessments (OMA's), Safety and Permanency Assessments (SPA's), Federal Child and Family Services case reviews (CFSR/OSRI) and Voluntary Agency Reviews (VARs). Provide technical assistance and monitoring to local departments of social services and voluntary agencies on numerous issues including child welfare program, CONNECTIONS, complaints, regulatory clarification
• Provide technical assistance and monitoring to LDSS, VAs and other community agencies and organizations. Provide comment and recommendations on regulations and administrative letters in all program areas in which the Regional Office has licensing and oversight responsibilities.
• Provide licensing oversight to agencies and organizations. Prepare application packages for approval and certification of new programs. Provide technical assistance to voluntary agencies regarding program changes and rate setting impact
• Participate in the management of activities related to the review of complaints involving foster boarding homes and congregate care, child protective services and IAB investigations as necessary
• Participate in Office of Children and Family Services' workgroups and committees as assigned
• Facilitate the implementation of Office of Children and Family Services' priorities, policies and procedures by local districts and agencies such as CONNECTIONS, CFSR/PIP, Title IV-E, Permanency Round Tables, DMR, FAR, Teaming and Court Improvement Projects.