Help Me Grow Coordinator

Job Description:
Under the general supervision of the Child and Adolescent Health Group Manager in the Maternal and Child Health Unit, the Help Me Grow Coordinator performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical work related to the planning, development, and implementation of Help Me Grow Texas, a statewide network of communities working to improve access to existing resources and services for expectant parents and families with children which promote optimal development and health. Manages and coordinates all details for program oversight of Help Me Grow contractors and the program-directed contract development and management, work plan development and approval, quality assurance and improvement activities. Activities support essential public health services and efforts to achieve the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant performance measures related to child health. Works to coordinate, develop, and carry out the Title V Block Grant Action Plan. Independently performs associated planning and collaborative activities with other agency programs, organizations, and groups that address issues pertaining to Child Health. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Essential Job Functions:
(35%) Plans and coordinates activities for specific Maternal and Child Health Child initiatives that support Title V mandates, promote progress toward the Title V Child Health Performance Measures, and are conducted in collaboration with other Title V Maternal and Child Health staff, other DSHS staff (central office and regional), providers, and families. Establishes Help Me Grow Texas program guidelines, goals and objectives, procedures, standards, and timelines. Serves as the Texas representative and works collaboratively with the Help Me Grow National Center. Provides consultation and technical assistance to providers and contractors and the DSHS regional staff. Identifies needed areas of change and makes recommendations to evaluate and improve program activities, including contractor activities. Works with stakeholders in assessing service needs and gaps and supports the development and/or redesigning systems of care. Collaborates with program staff in the planning, development, and implementation of new initiatives and the development of tools and instruments for collecting and analyzing data. Reports on these activities for the Title V Block Grant and the State Action Plan. Leads or assists in identifying and securing additional grants and funding opportunities. Values diversity, equity, and inclusion by bringing cultural humility and responsiveness to the daily operations of Help Me Grow Texas.

(30%) Leads and manages comprehensive program oversight for Help Me Grow Texas contracted initiatives with extensive authority for decisions regarding the details of development, planning (workplans with short and long-term goals), implementation, quality assurance and improvement activities, reporting, evaluation, networking, and coordination. Leads the development of Request for Applications (RFAs) for program initiatives as well as application review and/or contract renewal process. Negotiates contracts with selected applicants and consults with internal stakeholders and regional staff throughout the process. Responsible for the budget development and funding proposals for contracted initiatives. Reviews and evaluates service delivery methods, outputs, and activities; identifies gaps in resources; and makes recommendations for improvement and funding based on review criteria. Schedules and performs quality assurance monitoring visits as needed. Responsible for the development of quality assurance monitoring materials, preparation of on-site visits or desk reviews, and development of evaluation reports. Leads the annual review of standards and the initial development of standards. Performs contractor’s programmatic risk assessments for assigned initiatives.

(15%) Establishes and maintains effective partnerships and facilitates collaborative workgroups with other state agencies, advocacy organizations, consumer and provider groups, funding entities, and internal partners at DSHS to further the awareness of the needs and issues related to developmental screening in Texas. Manages and facilitates the Help Me Grow Texas Steering committee. Collaboratively plan activities to address Title V Child Health Performance Measures. Represents the Child and Adolescent Health Branch, Maternal and Child Health Unit, and Department of State Health Services at meetings, hearings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees. Promotes use of evidence-based practices.

(15%) Independently researches program policy/budget impact of services provided, systems changes, and grant proposals, including analysis of data from contractors and other state and federal programs, legislation, and strategic planning; tracks and reports on progress towards strategic planning objectives. Develops and disseminates educational/outreach publications. Contributes to and ensures accuracy of content on the Branch website. Determines training needs, develops and may deliver educational/training tools, presentations, and curricula on issues pertaining to the Help Me Grow System model to providers (including contractors), families, and staff through various formats. Ensures stakeholder involvement in educational/training material development and dissemination.

(5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of child health, clinical/laboratory methods of evaluation and standards of care for children
Knowledge of community needs assessment process
Knowledge of child development
Knowledge of best practices related to child health and safety and parent education
Knowledge of principles and practices of public health administration at the federal, state and local levels
Knowledge of public health services in Texas
Knowledge of systems thinking and change
Knowledge of coalitions
Knowledge of federal health care funding systems
Knowledge of health and population statistical evaluation and epidemiology
Knowledge of the scientific method
Knowledge of contract development and management

Skilled in systems and partnership building
Skilled in planning, implementing and evaluating health services
Skilled in analyzing and interpreting data
Skilled in benchmarking
Skilled in developing evaluation and assessment tools
Skilled in oral and written communication
Skilled in critical thinking and reviewing research
Skilled in understanding, analyzing and resolving problems
Skilled in presenting educational programs

Ability to think creatively and work independently
Ability to work collaboratively and productively with related DSHS programs, other agencies and organizations, and people from varying professional, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
Ability to establish goals and objectives and monitor progress toward achieving them

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