Program Specialist

Program Specialist - Transition Facilitator

DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully engage children and families to ensure safety, strengthen families, and achieve permanency. DCS has field office locations located throughout the state of Arizona, with its central office located in Downtown Phoenix. DCS employs over 2,800 employees who share the common vision of ensuring children thrive in family environments free from abuse and neglect.

Job Location:

PERMANENCY AND YOUTH SERVICES, 3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Posting Details

Salary: $27.8125 HRLY / $57,850.00 Salary
Grade: 20
Closing Date:
March 3, 2026

Job Summary

The Transition Facilitator will monitor youth in out of home care at age 17 through age 18 ensuring youth who are likely to age out of foster care are transitioning to the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Success Coaching program through a referral process. This position will be responsible for outreach to the field staff, training field staff on the Success Coaching program, monitoring fidelity and compliance of the transition process, participating in youth’s staffing/TDMs to be a SME on the transition process and ensuring progress is moving to permanency for those not referred to the Success Coaching program.

Monitor AOM meetings are occurring and as needed facilitate AOM meetings for youth out of state on ICPC, participate in the assessment and planning for the youth’s return. This position will also have responsibility of opening and or transferring youth IL or EFC cases in Guardian and submitting Motions for Extended Foster Care and Addendum Report.

Job Duties

• Maintain a complete listing from Power BI on youth in out of home care at 17 through their 18th year. Completes referrals for the EFC Success Coaching program at 17.5 when determined likely to reach the age of 18 in care; maintain reports on the timeliness of the referral process, which will include scheduling and identification of participants for the AOM and final transition plan meeting.
• Evaluate youth with permanency goals other than APPLA, confirming the permanency is completed by participating in under 18 staffing’s, and Permanency TDMs. Participate in under under 18 staffing and Permanency TDMs as a SME, to consult on eligibility for aftercare and education resources.
• Meets and supports DCS Field understanding of the program and process for EFC coaching program. This includes facilitation of unit and section meetings, training to field and community members on the process, as well as outreach directly to staff. Works collaboratively with the DCSS, Behavioral health, Juvenile Justice to support transition planning and begin the rapport-building process.
• Collects Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreements ensuring EFC Success Coaching contractors meet the federal and state time requirements. Within 10 days of the qualified young adult signing the Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement, prepare the Motion for Extended Foster Care and Addendum Report detailing why participation in extended foster care is in the young adult’s best interest. Submit a copy of the signed Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement and the Addendum Report to the Duty Assistant Attorney General to file a motion with the court.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Problem solving.
• Social services of federal, state and local programs and resources regarding area of assignment.
• Terminology of Arizona's child welfare system processes, including Youth Thrive Framework.
• DCS policies and procedures; child welfare policies; general policies pertaining to investigating reports of abuse/neglect.
• Trauma informed practice.
• Group facilitation, conflict resolution.
• DCS related programs; program planning; group dynamics; and evaluation process.

Skills

• Oral, written and interpersonal communication.
• Interviewing and eliciting information.
• Organization and management of workload.
• Problem identification and solutions.
• Decision making and conflict resolution.
• Facilitation and coordination of culturally diverse meetings.
• Following…