Clinical Program Manager; Social Service Administrator V

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve.

At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind. This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

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Maryland Department of Human Services Social Services Administration-Well-Being and Clinical Services 25 South Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201

The main purpose of this position is to facilitate deep-dive case discussions and decisions around placements for high-acuity youth in need of out-of-home placements and lead the Placement Team as well as QI and QRTP work. The Clinical Program Manager will assess the specific needs of youth based on their current diagnosis and presenting concerns and ensure the appropriateness of recommended placements, establish and maintain systems to monitor compliance with policies and procedures, and provide consultation and support to Social Service Administrators, supervisors, and other stakeholders.

Review and determine appropriateness of recommendation for placement for children in foster care considered for high- intensity residential treatment, DDA placement, or other congregate care setting for clinical and treatment needs. Provide consultation and leadership to SSA Placement Unit staff, Qualified Individuals (QIs) for Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) decisions, and LDSS for both short and long-term resource possibilities and potential placements.

Provide clinical guidance to the Placement Unit and LDSS in order to write appropriate referrals for RTCs and other high-intensity or specialized placement resources. Assist with assessment of provider needs to meet treatment and support needs of children. Provide guidance and support in SSA’s implementation structure through participation in implementation teams and cross-cutting networks. Advocate for appropriate treatment and clinical needs for children.

Coordinate with the SSA teams, LDSS, Sister Agencies, and Providers to ensure the appropriateness of placements and continuity of services are provided. Monitor program criteria for DHS contracted providers to ensure quality and performance expectations. Develop outcome measures and coordinate with contracting staff to build deliverables into contracts. Make recommendations about policy, procedures, regulations, or systemic changes that may be needed to support the clinical needs of youth in out-of-home care.

Ensure that the placement needs and efforts, policies and procedures, processes, time frames, regarding children in foster care in need of specialized out-of-home placements are appropriate and that policy and procedures do not pose barriers to meeting their individual needs. Monitor data and CQI measures through a clinical lens and make recommendations to SSA leadership as needed. Maintain data and statistical information related to placement resource issues, placements barriers for service reviews, annual reports and inquiries regarding the information.

Education:

A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience:

Seven years of professional experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency or institution, six yearsmust have been in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity. Notes:
1. These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article 4-204 the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, does not have authority to accept substitutions or…