DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

1818 E Sky Harbor Circle North
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Salary: $22.6003 hourly/ $47,008.624 annually 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: December 19, 2024

The Adoption and Guardianship Subsidy Case Manager provides senior-level case management with direct/indirect assistance to hard to place adoptive children and their families. This position reviews applications to determine eligibility for the respective programs, and creates cases in the software systems to allow for payments to be processed and the child to receive insurance coverage. In addition, this position provides ongoing support/advocacy to the family.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Determines if hard to place children in adoptive/guardianship homes are eligible for adoption or guardianship assistance respectively using completed federal and state criteria. Supports the integration and stability of the child with the adoptive family. Provides adoptive parents with resources available through public and private entities. Clearly and accurately documents each "special condition" of the child on the adoption subsidy agreement.
• Provides case management and crisis intervention services to adoptive families of children who meet the "legal definition of a child with special needs". Provides comprehensive senior-level case management services and supports to prevent these adoptions from disrupting and to support the family unit through the provision of needed social services. Consults with the child's behavioral health and medical professionals, adoptive parents, school personnel and Department of Child Safety (DCS) staff to identify the level and frequency of services required to maintain children in their family unit.
• Completes all required documentation on approved cases to comply with state and federal requirements. Assures that adoption subsidy agreements are executed prior to the finalization of the adoption. If case managers reduce, terminate or deny services for the child, the case manager must inform the adoptive parent of their appeal right/due process, and prepare the case for the appeal hearing.
• Provides training/technical assistance to adoptive parents and adoption workers on department policies/procedures. Provides DCS permanency staff with ongoing information regarding the adoption subsidy application process, documentation requirements, statutory time frames and prior authorizations requirements. Ensures that all processes are completed timely and accurately in computer software systems that allow for payments to be processed and medical coverage to be in place.
• Reviews and resolves high profile case-specific issues and concerns. Works with the office of the Attorney General, DCS Central Office administrators, medical and behavioral health professionals and school personnel so that case-specific issues and concerns can be resolved at the lowest level of intervention.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Complex federal and state adoption laws, regulations and policies
  
• Family dynamics
  
• Child development and behavior
  
• Sources of family conflict
  
• Community social service resources to help support adoptive families
  
• Awareness of appropriate treatment for approved special service subsidies
  

Skills in:

• Interviewing and helping adoptive families and their children to understand and address problems which could cause disruption of placement
  
• Management to maintain documentation and meet deadlines in processing active cases
  
• Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships for work with children, families and staff in other professions and agencies
  

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
  
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  
• Conduct training
  
• Interpret program policies, procedures and rules

The preferred candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Social work or other social science program and previous experience in adoptions or child welfare.

Bilingual

The ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-3141 or by email at ADA@AZDCS.GOV. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.