(Hybrid, Kanawha) Social Worker/Family Based Care Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities

The Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Social Worker/Family Based Care Specialist. This position will be primarily based out of Kanawha, and will require frequent travel within the surrounding area (particularly Boone, Logan, Mingo and Raleigh counties"

About the Opportunity

The Family Based Care Specialist is responsible for the quality assurance of up to 30 Specialized Family Care (SFC) provider homes throughout a particular region. The incumbent provides quality assessment support for regulatory, contract, policy and/or program activities and matters based on applicable laws, policies, and standards. Complies with existing state laws, regulations and guidelines for Medley Case Management and Specialized Family Care homes. This position will be primarily based out of Kanawha, and will require frequent travel within the surrounding area (particularly Boone, Logan, Mingo and Raleigh counties"

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• Paid Time off (PTO)
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks

What You'll Do

• Responsible for the quality assurance of up to 30 Specialized Family Care (SFC) provider homes throughout a particular region. Error in judgment could cause displacement of persons with disabilities, non-payment of funds for services to providers and litigation.
• Provides quality assessment support for regulatory, contract, policy and/or program activities and matters based on applicable laws, policies, and standards. Complies with existing state laws, regulations and guidelines for Medley Case Management and Specialized Family Care homes.
  
  
  
  • Assesses and evaluates foster care providers and their homes for placement of adults and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) for both long term and respite (part-time or occasional) care.
  • Conducts monthly home visits in the homes of providers, visiting with both the providers and persons in placement, and reviewing and inspecting the homes in an effort to assure the health, safety, and security of the home environment of the person placed in the home.
  • Assures that SFC home providers successfully complete all annual training requirements in order to maintain their certification to care for individuals with I/DD.
  • Assures that certification information and back-up documentation is received, reviewed, and approved on an annual basis and in a timely, complete, and accurate fashion.
  • Makes final recommendations to the Program Manager as to the status of the provider home (i.e. continued approval, placement on improvement plan, closure).
  
  
  
  
• Serves as a resource to SFC home providers, other Family Based Care Specialists, and various representatives in state and local agencies and consumers on a daily basis.
  
  
  
  • Maintains regular contact with providers through home visits, emails, letters, and phone calls
  • Interfaces regularly with employees and supervisors of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR)
  • Interfaces regularly with service coordinators and therapeutic consultants of local behavioral health centers.
  • Advises outside organizations on area of expertise, which may include funding, guardianship, general policy, I/DD Waiver, Medicaid Personal Care, and other resource referral issues.
  • Plans and/or participates in regional and statewide meetings
  
  
  
  
• Manages quality assessment documents and databases.
  
  
  
  • Maintains comprehensive and detailed records for all activities, events and initiatives impacting each individual placement.
  • Completes entries into a statewide computerized database.
  • Makes regular reports of data and outcomes to the Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
  • Provides up-to-date data and information as requested for programmatic audits and inquiries.
  
  
  
  
• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team collaborating with state and local agencies as it relates to the housing of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
  
  
  
  • Attends Individual Education Plan meetings for children in placement, Individual Program Plan meetings for adults in placement, and Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings for persons in placement who are also connected to the WVDHHR.
  • Assists with the transition of children in placement to adult placements as they age out of the child foster care system.\]
  
  
  
  
• Performs some administrative functions.
  
  
  
  • Completes purchase requests and inventory sheets for equipment in his/her care.
  • Uses state purchasing card to pay for travel and other authorized expenses.
  • Completes travel requests and reimbursement forms.
  
  
  
  
• Conducts outreach to educate the community, other agencies, and the public about the Specialized Family Care Program and in an effort to recruit new homes into the program.
• Travels as needed to homes, meetings, trainings, and other activities. Some overnight travel is required.

• Bachelor's degree in human services or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Working with I/DD populations, and general knowledge of I/DD issues
  • Experience and skill in working as an interagency team member in planning community placement.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of processes and procedures, the service and/or product and its application.
• Knowledge of available services, state policy and program limitations relating to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work and meet established deadlines with the ability to effectively communicate orally and narratively with consumers, professionals, providers and co-workers.
• Knowledge of Family Based Care, Foster Care and Adult Family Care programs and all related I/DD services.
• Incumbent will be required to work and respond to a variety of different and unique situations independently using a variety of criteria with a minimum of supervision.

• Must have or be eligible for licensure as a Social Worker or certified Social Worker by the West Virginia Board of Social Work Examiners.
• Valid driver's license

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.