Program Specialist I - Education Manager

The Program Specialist (Education Manager) is responsible to the Practice Improvement Senior Manager and provides technical and managerial assistance to direct service staff in a variety of ways to assure appropriate service provision to families receiving agency services. Specifically, the Program Specialist (Education Manager) provides direction, oversight and technical assistance on child education-related issues to OCY staff and families, with primary focus on maintaining compliance with the requirements for educational success and stability for children and older youth in foster care.

* Serves as in office liaison and coordinator for all educational related issues for children involved with Children and Youth, including all students who qualify under The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and/or The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act.

* Authorizes, negotiates, facilitates, and monitors all education transportation arrangements including financial arrangements and billing procedures.

* Assures best interest determination is reviewed and documented as well as assures other mandates are met as per education mandates.

* Provides coordination between agency caseworkers', school districts, and alternative education placements to ensure smooth transitions at time of entry and discharge.

* Attends IEP/504/school meetings as appropriate to assure proper service delivery.

* Reviews IEP of children in county custody for determination of need for developmental/behavioral/physical health supports, to assure proper services are provided as per the IEP if a change in school district occurs, to assist in the assignment of a surrogate parent/education decision maker if necessary, to refer for updated educational testing if needed, to assure youth receive education until age of 21 if appropriate.

* Reviews alternative school programming to assure youth are working towards grade level and achieve the necessary educational credits needed for post high school education.

* Contacts necessary vendors, coordinates educational programming and conducts site visits to monitor service provision

* Coordinates and tracks all educational services; maintains database of children's educational services and tracks services/progress using a range of computer programs.

* Reviews monthly reports and quarterly reports completed by vendor agencies for youth who are enrolled in educations program for contractual compliance and education related services provided by vendors. Assures youth and staff are aware of educational opportunities such as summer school or tutoring to assure proper grade level functioning in educational settings.

* Provides and maintains documentation in database and case file regarding contacts with children, families, or collateral contacts as it relates to educational case planning.

* Participates in staff/vendor training as needed.

* Attends Court hearings as needed.

* Participates in County Integrated Services Programs and Initiatives as directed by Administrator.

* Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

* Bachelor's degree in Social Work, or related field, with a minimum of two years' experience in child welfare. Experience in applying for grant funds, consultation with community agencies providing services to children and families, program management, and public/private educational system, preferred.

* This position is subject to mandates requiring Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI Clearances for employment.

* Pennsylvania residency is a requirement for this position.

* Promotions will be based on experience, performance, meritorious service and seniority. Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline during the last 12 months preceding the close of this posting, and the last regular or probationary evaluation is higher than fair. Seniority is defined as a minimum of 24 months of service in the next lower class as of the closing date of the posting.

* Promotion is not subject to provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, stoop or kneel and climb stairs.
• Talk, hear and see to access and communicate.
• Use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or control and reach with hands or arms.
• Must transport client children and families as needed.
• Complete visits within County, out of County and out of State home and placement visits in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Have scheduling flexibility to work before or after regular work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Apply decision making techniques and make sound judgment related to child safety and wellbeing.
• Complete required documentation of Program Specialist duties.
• Lift approximately 30 pounds 5% of the time including infants, children, car seats, case records and a child's belongings.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:Must have automobile in good working condition with Pennsylvania driver's license and adequate insurance coverage.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations for the interview due to a

Disability, please advise the interviewer of the accommodations you require well in advance of the scheduled date.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER