State of Colorado
State of Colorado
Denver, CO
2024-10-16
Department Information
This position is open to current Colorado residents only
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!
Hybrid: two days a week in the office ( Wednesdays and Thursdays) subject to change to meet needs.
Division of Child Welfare
The Division of Child Welfare (DCW) provides a range of leadership, management, and supervisory functions related to the delivery of public child welfare services to children, youth, and families. The Division provides administrative supervision for all child welfare programs in Colorado’s 64 counties and delivers technical support, monitoring, program improvement, and other quality assurance functions. The Division provides oversight to service providers who work with children in the custody of county departments of social/human services.
The Child Protection and Prevention Services Unit (CPP) carries the responsibility to provide supervisory oversight of the county departments’ child protective services programs which include abuse and neglect reporting and screening, child abuse investigations, institutional abuse investigations, and child fatality reviews. The unit also provides administration of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) grant and the Children’s Justice Act (CJA) grant and ensures compliance with federally required activities, programs, and reports included in CAPTA and other federally funded granted programs. Activities include the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and anti-human trafficking of minors program development.
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Description Of Job
The purpose of this position includes:
The purpose of this position is to support the Core and Prevention Services Administrator in the statewide implementation, development, and oversight of prevention services that are approved or pending approval by the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) for Title IV-E reimbursement. This Act was signed into law to enhance support services for families to help children remain at home and reduce the use of unnecessary congregate care placements by increasing options for prevention services, increased oversight and requirements for placements, and enhancing the requirements for congregate care placement settings. This position advises counties and state-wide partners on best practices to increase the utilization of FFPSA evidence-based services and expand the array of services available in all 64 counties and highlight innovative programming to be moved forward to be evaluated.
Primary Job Duties.
Subject Matter Expert- Program Development, Implementation and Monitoring.The Family First Prevention Services Specialist assesses current utilized and under-utilized prevention services in each county, specifically those services that are rated as evidence-based, supported, well-supported or in development by the FFPSA Clearinghouse standards. In collaboration with Colorado’s Prevention Program Intermediaries (PI), community providers, research partners, and Colorado counties, develops and oversees best practice, implementation, tracking, and oversight of prevention services listed on the Title IV-E Clearinghouse.
Responsible for designing strategies, processes, guidelines, rules, training, and standards that are necessary to fully implement and support Colorado’s FFPSA Prevention Services array. This position provides technical assistance to counties implementing evidence-based services listed in the Colorado Prevention Plan, as well as guidance on the use of services that are supported, well-supported, or in development on the Title IV-E Clearinghouse.
The Family First Prevention Specialist develops and offers training and technical assistance to all 64 counties. The training shall include strategies to educate staff about FFPSA prevention services at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Training includes community engagement elements, data entry and analysis, FFPSA, the Colorado Prevention Plan, and opportunities to braid/blend funding. Technical assistance may include TRAILS tips, such as various reports available in TRAILS, and entering data to capture those individuals meeting the criteria for reimbursement under FFPSA. This position works closely with the Core Services Specialist to determine opportunities where Core funding may be available to support the implementation and expansion of services.
Coordinates and participates in collaborative discussions with other state agencies including but not limited to Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration, Department of Early Childhood, Office of Public Safety, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, Colorado Collaborative Management (CMP), and CDHS’ Administrative Review Division to best implement Colorado’s prevention services program according to FFPSA standards.
This position will work closely with the Program Intermediaries to promote expansion and sustainability efforts, analyze data to inform future decisions and impact points and coordinate efforts to ensure accurate data reporting, oversight of program locations, and best practices. This position utilizes their knowledge of programs and the intermediaries to locate regional gaps across Colorado in which a service would be beneficial to children, youth, and families, and work with those intermediaries to support expansion to new areas.
This position also manages the submission, review, and monitoring of county-based evidence-based prevention services for possible inclusion in Colorado’s Prevention Plan. This position will also coordinate and provide additional logistical support and leadership for the Child Welfare Prevention Task Group and all subcommittees of this group.
Intermediary to County Partners. Provides ongoing communication, direction, and technical assistance to assigned counties through monthly contact using face-to-face contacts, email, telephone, and other emerging technologies. Monitors assigned county performance, provide coaching, and works with assigned counties. Available for case consultations to provide policy and practice guidance. Represents CDHS and the Division of Child Welfare to county partners and other public stakeholders. Provide technical assistance in monitoring and analyzing county work and to facilitate and apply theories of continuous quality improvement processes to align with standard child protection practices.
Rule, Policy and Procedure Development. Develops, supports, and assists with the implementation of rules and policies related to improving the interaction of Family First prevention services specific to the delivery of child welfare. Maintains full knowledge of rules and statutes at the state and federal levels. Remains informed and prepared to discuss such information with county departments, federal partners, community and private service providers. Coordinates with child welfare and other experts to provide a consistent scope of practice and to implement promising practices for family-first prevention services. Maintains a broad understanding of general child welfare practice.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Experience Only
Six (6) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position such as p rofessional experience in Child Welfare experience, prior state/county employee, Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker certification, and/or Casework Supervisor certified or closely related.
OR
Education And Experience
A combination of related education ( Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.
Special Qualifications
Ability and willingness to complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker within one year of hire and complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Case Supervisor within 2 years of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s or advanced-level degree
Experience working within child welfare populations including juvenile justice
Experience with evaluating and reporting program and service delivery outcomes
Experience with leading and facilitating stakeholder collaboration and engagement
Current Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker and/or Casework Supervisor certification
Strong collaboration skills
Public speaking experience
Conditions Of Employment
Standard Background. ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), 1075 check (access to Federal Tax information), drug screen (commercial Driver’s license).
Travel: This employee will need to travel to counties to provide technical assistance, coaching, monitoring regarding Family First Implementation efforts and County Intermediary support. Expectations for travel up to 30% of the time.
Special Qualifications: Ability and willingness to complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker within one year of hire and complete Certification as a Colorado Child Welfare Case Supervisor within 2 years of hire.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
Appeal Rights
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
How To Apply
Need help with your application? Click here.
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact araceli.diaz @state.co.us
About Us
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
BenefitHub state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .
Our Values
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
Seniority Level
Not Applicable
Employment Type
Full-time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Government Administration
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