Children Services Consultant

Are you interested in a career where you can make a difference, do what you are passionate about, and receive personal fulfillment?

If you are then we are looking for you to be a part of our team!

The State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families' (DCF) mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter.

We are actively recruiting for a Children Service Consultant! This is a Full Time (40 Hour) position, working 8:30-5:00. This person will serve as the Statewide Multi-Disciplinary (MDE) Coordinator. This position will be located in Central Office at 505 Hudson Street, Hartford and will be working under the direction and supervision of the DCF Director of Pediatrics.

The coordinator will work to ensure adherence to the contract by assuring compliance with service delivery requirements including: the provision of services to target population, adherence to the referral process, maintaining accurate staffing and operating hours, and adherence to the established MDE process as outlined in the contract.

The Coordinator will also assist in assuring the contracted provider adheres to the quality improvement requirements and data and outcome measure reporting requirements. This includes comparison of the monthly clinic data with the DCF systems data of children in care.

This position will be responsible for planning, coordinating and facilitating the DCF regional MDE quarterly meetings and the statewide quarterly MDE meetings.  They will also develop training's for MDE contracted providers and DCF staff. This position also will function as a liaison between each entity of the MDE and the DCF central oversight body.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following experience: 

• Pediatric/child welfare population
• Contract management 
• Screening tools used for behavioral health, mental health and educational screenings
• Data analysis and computer skills to include proficiency in programs such as Microsoft Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel and/or other data collection programs. 

As State of Connecticut employees we participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off. 

• We will be filling this position in accordance with reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

• Please ensure that your application is complete and it includes how your experience meets the preferred qualification as listed in this posting.

• Please include your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

• Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Kelly Paul at Kelly.Paul@ct.gov.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: This class is accountable for providing consultation, coordination and delivery of specialized children services program activities.

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE: This class is responsible for assisting the Child Advocate in securing and ensuring the legal, civil and special rights of children residing in the state of Connecticut.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Plans, develops and implements new special programs and projects as assigned; develops and negotiates contracts; monitors, evaluates and makes recommendations for modifications in existing programs; provides consultative services to regional offices within department, social services agencies, courts, child caring institutions and individuals in matters relating to child and foster care, adoption, protective services, private child placing agencies or child caring institutions; participates in preparation of manual material, forms and interpretative material; provides consultation to field staff in solution to problems; plans and participates in training programs and workshops for field staff in conjunction with the training section; facilitates flow of information among courts, judges, public officials, auxiliary services and other departments; acts for director in communicating changes in procedures, practices and policies throughout various regional offices and following up for consistency in their implementation; may represent department in committees to improve children's services and use of financial and human resources; performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE: Assists Child Advocate in securing and ensuring legal, civil and special rights of children residing in State of Connecticut; evaluates delivery of services to children by state agencies; reviews procedures of state agencies providing services to children with a view toward rights of children; investigates complaints regarding children receiving state services; visits residential facilities to review procedures, assure safety and assess facilities; may recommend changes in state policies concerning children including changes in system of providing juvenile justice, child care, foster care and treatment; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge and understanding of case work principles, methods and techniques; considerable knowledge of factors which influence attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; considerable knowledge of departmental programs, policies and procedures; knowledge of legal basis for departmental programs and requirements; knowledge of community resources and services they provide; knowledge of group process including group leadership skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to understand and explain complex written materials.

Eight (8) years of experience in work having as its primary responsibility the autonomous and self directed use of case management techniques and therapeutic counseling to sustain or restore client functioning.

Note: Qualifying experience at this level shall include use of professional interviewing techniques; provision of skilled therapeutic counseling to an assigned client caseload; assessment of basic client needs (nutritional, environmental, financial, medical, protective service, etc.) through continuing personal observation during home visits and intervention; evaluation of social work interns.

1. College training may be substituted for the General experience on the basis of fifteen (15) credit hours equaling six (6) months of employment to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in counseling or psychology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience for a total of five (5) years.
3. A Master's degree in social work or child welfare may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience for a total of six (6) years.
4. For State employees, two (2) years of experience as a Social Worker-Social and Human Services with responsibility for a caseload focused on children and youth may be substituted for the entire General Experience.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.