CANS System Support Specialist

Job Description:
Program Specialist III

Community-Based Care (CBC) is a new way to provide services than traditional foster care because it gives local communities the flexibility to draw on local strengths and resources and find innovative ways to meet the unique and individual needs of children and their families. CBC includes many of the services that Child Protective Services (CPS) normally provides. This includes foster care, case management, kinship, and reunification services. A single contractor in each designated community area creates a network of services, foster homes, and other living arrangements and, when ready, provides case management for each child and their family as well. CPS works with each contractor (Single Source Continuum Contractor or SSCC) to carefully manage the transition from traditional foster care to community-driven care. Full implementation of CBC is projected for the year across the state of Texas. With open proposal options, any given community or regional area may be selected for CBC transition. This position along with your job duties and function will shift form a state position with Texas Department of Family Protective Services to the SSCC, which is a private and non-profit agency serving the same foster care population. After the transition, your office location is subject to change within your same county which is expected to occur FY25, based on readiness. To learn more about CBC, please visit . Essential Job Functions:
Performs an array of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities related to program assignment.
•Schedules, coordinates and conducts the CANS assessment interviews in the child’s home, community or via telehealth.
•Conducts the assessment at a location and time which is most convenient for the child and family and may be outside of regular business hours.
•Arranges formal interpreter services as needed

Performs comprehensive reviews of literature, statutes, rules, and/or policies; and prepares administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.
•Reviews research, evaluations and literature on the use of and administration of the CANS assessment.
•Provides input and recommendations on current policies and processes to the Texas Child-Centered Care implementation team to ensure a smooth transition to the Texas Child-Centered Care System.
•Works with 3rd party contractors to provide input on the use and efficacy on the use of the CANS assessment as part of the Texas Child-Centered Care System.

Collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of an agency program.
•Documents all case activity as per program requirements.
•Enters all assessment information into the eCANS web-based application.
•Documents resulting recommendations in the DFPS IMPACT system.

Collaborates with program staff in determining trends and resolving technical problems.
•Communicates CANS results to the child’s placement team.
•Provides guidance and technical assistance to CPS and CPI staff on the goals, use of and outcomes of the CANS assessment.
•Works to resolve any disputes with agency staff related to the results and recommendations from the CANS assessment

Serves as a liaison to staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public to explain and provide technical assistance on program specifics and requirements.
•Serves as liaison to DFPS staff and creates job aids and other educational materials to ensure CPS, CPI and other DFPS staff’s understanding of the CANS and placement process

Conducts surveys and/or reviews to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
•Completes CANS annual certification requirements through the Praed Foundation.

Markets program(s) to community and professional groups to encourage and/or improve interest in the program(s).
•Prepares and conducts presentations to agency staff and the community, as requested, related to the CANS assessment and placement process.

Monitors, reviews, and evaluates compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules for assigned program.
•Serves as the agency Subject Matter Expert for the CANS assessment and Texas Child-Centered Care System to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations and Child Care Licensing Standards.
•Interprets State and Federal regulations, Child Care Licensing Standards and program policy.
•Researches deficiencies and makes recommendations for corrective actions as needed.

Studies and analyzes operations and problems, prepares reports of findings and recommendations, and prepares justifications for the implementation of procedural or policy changes.
•Provides input and recommendations on procedural and policy changes as related to the Texas Child-Centered Care System.
•Prepares reports, as requested, to justify recommended procedural and policy changes.

Collects, organizes, analyzes, and/or prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports.
•Integrates information into the CANS assessment from multiple sources by conducting interviews with children and with family/caregivers and incorporating information as appropriate from the referral source, treatment providers, school, rater observations and record reviews.
•Utilizes a person-centered approach in all processes, including the interviews (i.e. conversational style that is individualized, empathetic and empowering.)
Reviews and evaluates information on service delivery system methods, outputs, and activities to identify gaps in resources and recommend improvements.
•Works with 3rd party contract providers to review and provide input to on-going Texas Child-Centered Care System Continuous Quality and Assurance Improvement evaluation.
•Coordinates with Texas Child-Centered Care implementation team and regional SSCC and CPS leadership to implement findings and recommendations from the evaluation.
•Works with the Continuous Quality Assessment and Improvement contractors to provide input on the use and efficacy on the use of the CANS assessment.

Assists in analyzing legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic areas relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding.
•Reviews and monitors legislative bills as related to the Texas Child-Centered Care System, including the CANS assessment.
•Provides input to legislative bill analysis and implementation plans as related to Texas Child-Centered Care System, including the CANS assessments.
•Provides input on the development of cost analysis to legislative bills in coordination with DFPS Finance and management.
Assists in preparing and evaluating program budget requests.
•Works with DFPS Finance and CPS program to identify budget resources during a catchment area’s transition to Community-Based Care, ensuring a smooth transition of the CANS assessment process under a Single Source Continuum Contractor.
•Reviews and recommends budget needs based on resources to the Office of Finance to improve program outcomes.

May recommend and coordinate activities to produce a more effective program.
•N/A
May provide input on developing and/or revising policy and procedure manuals.
•Monitors CANS reports to ensure children, youth and young adults are receiving CANS assessments on a determined frequency and within expected timeframes.
•Monitors, reviews and evaluates personal monthly job productivity to meet or exceed expectations.
•Provides input and recommendations on developing and/or revising CANS policy and procedure manuals.
•Prepares various reports as requested

May provide guidance to others.
•Provides guidance and technical assistance to agency staff and the community on the CANS assessment, placement policy and procedures.
•Provides guidance and performs complex consultative services and assessment work, specifically related to administering the CANS Assessment.

Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to the CPS Program
General knowledge of the CPS Program.
Strong verbal and written communication and interviewing skills.
Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.
Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.
Ability to apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
Ability to interpret policies and procedures and provide guidance to others.
Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.
Ability to plan, implement and meet deadlines.
Ability to work with individuals and groups from diverse populations.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to work outside of normal business hours.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration and management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; research techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques.
Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and the use of a computer and applicable software.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively; and to provide guidance to others.

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