08/06/2001 40652

INTERSTATE COMPACT SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is professional social services work in support of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles (ICJ), Interstate Compact on the  Placement of Children (ICPC), Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA), or comparable programs operated by the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF).

An employee in this class is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, processing, coordinating, and monitoring interstate placement and supervision referrals to ensure compliance with Pennsylvania adoption law, interstate compact programs, Departmental policies and procedures and applicable international, federal and state laws. Work involves the approval and disapproval of adoptions and placements of interstate and intercountry children with parents, adoptive parents, or relatives. Work includes coordinating placement in residential facilities, arranging supervision of juveniles, coordinating the return of runaways, and
performing interstate coordination of Title IV-E Medicaid. Work also includes providing casework, guidance, technical assistance and problem solving to a variety of entities, such as public and private children and youth agencies, court representatives, attorneys, foreign and domestic government officials, birth parents, adoptive and foster parents, adopted individuals, and the general public. All placements, supervision arrangements, and return of children require the approval of the employee on behalf of the Commonwealth. Work is performed under the general supervision of a supervisor who reviews the work through conferences, random sampling of finished work and results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews child placement referrals for appropriateness of the child's needs in compliance with laws and regulations using home studies, consents, surrenders, court orders, social summaries and interstate compact forms.

Approves or denies the placement of a child into or out of the state for adoption, foster care, parent/relative care, residential care or juvenile supervision.

Coordinates the Medicaid for Interstate Title IV-E and non IV-E eligible children.

Coordinates and assists in the return to home state authorities of children who run away or abscond to or from another state to ensure legal requirements are met.

Notifies OCYF regional offices when child placements to unlicensed Pennsylvania facilities are discovered or when other legal violations are identified.

Notifies OCYF regional offices when child placements are made by county agencies and courts in violation of the compacts.

Notifies the sending state's Compact Administrator of illegal placements into Pennsylvania to rectify through compliance or termination of the placement.

Ensures financial arrangements such as subsidies, medical or other support services for children with special needs are in place prior to and following placement.

Develops and prepares periodic reports regarding child placement activities, status information, demographic activity, and programmatic activity for Departmental, state, and national dissemination.

Responds to inquiries and assists in resolving issues from representatives of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the United States Congress, and dignitaries of foreign countries.

Provides Interstate Compact training to public/private agencies, attorneys, court personnel, and state/federal offices.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of social casework principles and methods as they apply to children.

Knowledge of social and economic conditions that influence human behavior.

Ability to understand and interpret the Juvenile Act, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Interstate Compact for Juveniles, Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance.

Ability to learn the social service system relating to Juvenile Justice and Children, Youth and Families.

Ability to counsel and communicate effectively with people who may be emotionally upset, by gaining their confidence and offering assistance and assurances.

Ability to understand the federal and state regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to the interstate and intercountry placement of children.

Ability to understand, interpret and apply federal and state laws, regulations, and Departmental policies and procedures pertaining to the placement of children who are separated from birth families.

Ability to determine and apply proper administrative procedures and policies.

Ability to examine and evaluate information and to make an accurate decision.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff of federal, state, regional, county and community agencies and organizations pertaining to OCYF programs.

Ability to handle fast paced activities and heavy workloads.

Ability to exercise sound judgment in differing circumstances and to act in a responsible and professional manner in stressful or unpleasant situations.

Ability to utilize problem solving techniques in providing technical assistance to other agencies and offices in order to ensure that the proper reports, referrals and services are properly and effectively completed.

Ability to obtain and utilize pertinent information from individuals, agencies and other organizations.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor's degree which includes 12 credits in the social or behavioral sciences and one year of paraprofessional human services work experience in a public or private agency;

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An equivalent combination of paraprofessional human services work experience and training that includes successful completion of 12 college credits in the social or behavioral sciences.