Location: 900 Second Street NE- Washington, DC
Position Type: Full-Time
Organization: Black Administrators in Child Welfare, Inc.
Reports To: Executive Director- BACW
Applications Due By: Immediately

Position Overview:
We are seeking an accomplished Project Director to take ownership of the overall development and responsibility for executing a special grant project and overseeing the daily accomplishments of the work.

Grant Title and Description:
Disproportionality Reduction in Child Welfare is a two-year BACW project designed to provide leadership, support and technical assistance promoting racial equity and culturally appropriate child welfare services and programs. From a strengths perspective, it focuses primarily on identifying the causes and effects of placing children of color disproportionately in foster care; developing and initiating effective service delivery models and program standards that impact positively on children of color; training to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills of personnel in child welfare agencies about racial equity and cultural issues that affect practice and policy development, and implementing effective use of program data and evaluation to impact system change.

Nature and Scope of Position:
This regular, full time position requires a workweek of 40 hours or more with some evening or weekend work required to attend meetings, workshops, community events, or other related functions. This position requires travel to states and local areas and meetings with senior level government officials, state administrators and staff, and may include meetings with community representatives. Regular travel outside of the local area is required for project related work and other meetings as needed.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Oversees the development, coordination, and delivery of all project requirements and keeps the Executive Director informed regarding project activities.
2. Develops and oversees the project work plan and provides leadership, support and technical assistance, ensuring that attention is given to promoting racial equity and culturally appropriateness in all tasks being performed.
3. Develops strategies, time frames, and evaluation methods, to be used within the established guidelines of the project.
4. Coordinates and integrates project work with other stakeholders such as the courts, schools and health practitioners, as needed.
5. Prepares progress reports and other documents on outcomes and achievements and represents BACW at public meetings and conferences to share information about the project.
6. As needed, develops alliances, networks and partnerships to support the project work and forms collaborative relationships with other agencies involved in foster care or the child welfare system.
7. Represents the project in a public relations capacity, giving presentations within the agency and in the community to promote the critical need to reduce disproportionality.
8. Analyzes state policies and practices through a racial equity lens.
9. Using the BACW Standards for Achieving Racial Equity as the baseline, assists the state agency in establishing a set of program standards that can be used to measure outcomes for programs and services.
10. Develops an assessment tool that will assist the state agency in routinely documenting services that are being provided to children.
11. Participates on local, regional, or national committees related to the foster care or child welfare system.
12. Develops and implements anti-racism or cultural competency training in conjunction with the state training coordinator that provides state pre-service and in service training.
13. Maintains confidentiality with sensitive information. Understands and adheres to the code of ethics and practice for social work services. Ensures alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.
14. Acts as a good steward of BACW resources in applying appropriate amounts of resources to accomplish the work, in the utilization of project expenses and funds and looks for ways to maximize effective communications with the appropriate cost and effort.

Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited institution; 3 years of relevant project or program management experience in foster care services or related area is required. The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check and meet any requirements for licensure/certification in the state/county of practice. Successful and specific experience in project management is preferred. Broad knowledge of child welfare legislation, policy and practice as well as an understanding of racial equity issues is necessary. Knowledge of state and national laws, policies and procedures governing foster care is also preferred. This position requires an exceptional ability to relate well to individuals in a variety of levels of experience but a considerable amount of time will be spent with senior level government officials, administrators, and policy makers as well as practitioners and families and children of diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and life-style backgrounds.

This position requires comfort and ease in applying technology to the provision of services. Basic computer knowledge and experience with MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) is necessary and an appreciation of the importance of retrieving and analyzing data is important. This position also requires teamwork, flexibility, and motivation to get successful results. Effective listening, verbal and written communication and the ability to collaborate with others are skills that are essential to successfully doing this job. The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with child welfare decision makers is essential. Valuing a diversity of work styles, people, directions, and functions as well as proven effectiveness and ease in working in a multi-cultural environment is highly desired.

Salary is negotiable

Salary: $109,062 – 152,686 (Grade MS-17)

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Position Overview:
The mission of the Child & Family Services Agency (CFSA) is to improve the safety, permanence, and well-being of abused and neglected children and to strengthen troubled families in the District of Columbia. The Deputy Director for Agency Programs is accountable to the Director for the delivery of quality, comprehensive, family-centered, and culturally appropriate services, which are closely linked to community and neighborhood based supports. The Deputy’s responsibilities include:

• Leading and directing the full continuum of public child welfare services to families and children, including, intake and investigations; in-home and out-of-home services, and permanency.
• Reforming the Agency’s front-line functions; ensuring that staff adheres to the Agency’s Practice Model; and complying with the requirements of the LaShawn Amended Implementation Plan (AIP).
• Providing Direct Supervision to the Administrators for Agency Programs.
• Proposing and implementing new strategies and programs which are designed to improve the quality of practice and outcomes for children and families.
• Ensuring accountability of the front-line operations for high standards of service quality, achievement of benchmarks, and child and family outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:
Thorough knowledge of Federal and District laws and regulations related to child welfare. Demonstrated experience with organizational and practice change within public agencies. Extensive knowledge of current management concepts and best practices to effectively oversee and direct program operations. A comprehensive understanding of local resources and knowledge of best practices in child welfare nation-wide. A Masters Degree in Social Work and extensive fieldwork experience is strongly preferred.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should forward a resume via email to cfsa.jobs@dc.gov. To review full job description please visit www.cfsa.dc.gov. Applications may also be forwarded to:

DC Child & Family Services Agency
Human Resources Administration
400 6th Street, SW
Washington DC 20024

Children’s Rights seeks a full-time Senior Child Welfare Policy Consultant to work on two projects: 1) an assessment of a major urban foster care system, and 2) a case study of a successful state effort to reduce the placement of children in foster care in institutions.

There is a strong likelihood that this consulting engagement will be expanded to include additional responsibilities in other projects and will be converted into a full-time position (Senior Child Welfare Policy Analyst) by January 1, 2009.

Through its legal advocacy, Children’s Rights is currently working on the reform of child welfare systems in ten states and localities across the nation. In these jurisdictions, Children’s Rights has secured or is working to secure a court order requiring the child welfare system to improve its services and outcomes for children and families.

Children’s Rights’ Policy Department staff work closely with the legal staff and play a critical role in helping to advance the pace of reform in these jurisdictions, by tracking a jurisdiction’s progress against the established benchmarks, and by providing technical assistance to the state and local stakeholders responsible for improving the system.

In addition to these targeted reform campaigns in specific jurisdictions, Children’s Rights also examines national and selected local policy issues, studies them and issues reports to inform the field and support advocacy for necessary policies, practices and resources.

The work of Children’s Rights provides a unique opportunity for a child welfare professional to examine and affect child welfare policy and practice at the local, state and national levels.

Responsibilities:
The Senior Child Welfare Policy Consultant’s work will include the following:

• Work closely with the Director of Policy and other staff to oversee the implementation of an assessment of a major urban child welfare system that will include both quantitative and qualitative components (a case record review, interviews and focus groups). Oversee data collection and analysis and write report summarizing findings and making recommendations for reform.


• Work closely with the Director of Policy and other staff to design and produce a case study of a successful state effort to reduce the number of children in foster care who are placed in institutions. The Consultant will be involved in reviewing and summarizing relevant data and interviewing major stakeholders in order to describe how the state was able to substantially reduce its use of institutions for children in foster care. The consultant will participate in all aspects of information-gathering and will play a major role in drafting the case study, which will be disseminated nationally.

As noted above, there is a strong likelihood that this consulting engagement will be expanded to include other responsibilities and turned into a full-time employee position (Senior Child Welfare Policy Analyst) by January 1, 2009. The Senior Child Welfare Policy Analyst reports to the Director of Policy and will be required to:

• Use knowledge of child welfare best practice and policy to assess the performance of state and local child welfare systems involved in class action system reform litigation with Children’s Rights;
• Provide child welfare policy and practice technical assistance to help states and localities involved in class action system reform litigation with Children’s Rights to improve services and results for children and families;
• Work closely on the above internally with Children’s Rights legal staff and externally with senior and other child welfare agency staff and community stakeholders in states and localities;
• In collaboration with the Director of Policy, take lead responsibility for developing and executing national and selected local policy research projects, which may include quantitative and qualitative analyses of key child welfare issues and practices;
• Prepare reports, articles, and other written materials on child welfare policy issues;
• Prepare presentations and presents on child welfare issues at local and national conferences;
• Assist the Policy Director with administrative issues within the Department;
• Provide guidance and supervision to policy staff and interns in the absence of the Policy Director;
• Handle special projects.

Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in social work, public policy or related field or a law degree;
• At least seven years of child welfare practice, policy and/or research experience;
• Extremely strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with professionals at various levels;
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team; and
• Proficiency in word processing (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel and other relevant programs). Knowledge of SPSS a plus.

Interested candidates should send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to Anita Estling at aestling@childrensrights.org.

(This position is in the Management Service. Candidates are not required to be certified to an Eligible List. Management Service appointments serve at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.)

Location:
FAMILY INVESTMENT BUREAU
1910 N. BROADWAY
BALTIMORE MD 21213

Salary: $64,349 – $103,328 ANNUM (Grade 23)
(Salary as of July 1, 2008)

Opening Date: June 9th, 2008

Closing Date: June 20th, 2008

Position Duties:
The main purpose of this position is to function as Assistant Director for the Family Investment Bureau. The incumbent will have the overall responsibility for promoting, directing, and executing this multi-faceted program through direct and indirect supervision of approximately 900 staff. The bureau is comprised of seven (7) specialized units and eight (8) full service centers servicing approximately 182,000 customers receiving Medical Assistance, Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps or Temporary Disability Assistance. The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring emerging client needs and evolving policy and regulation changes impacted by welfare reform and/or social and economic conditions. Additionally, the incumbent will provide senior executive leadership for developing and directing complex mandated and/or new program initiatives which also involves the administration of funds for the Emergency Assistance and Welfare Avoidance grants. This position reports directly to the Chief Operating O fficer (COO).

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:
Possession of a master’s degree in Social Work from a college or university approved by the Council on Social Work Education, or a master’s degree in a related field such as Child Development, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Juvenile Justice, Human Growth and Development, Human Services, and Mental Health or a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Experience:
Seven (7) years of experience in administrative, professional or technical work involving at least two years of supervising employees. Four (4) years of the required experience must have been in managing or assisting in managing a major/complex program in the area of income maintenance.

Benefits:
As a Management Service appointment, the selected candidate will be an employee of the State of Maryland and eligible for a generous benefit package that includes premium health, vision, and dental coverage, State of Maryland retirement benefits and deferred compensation investment options.

Selection Process:
Interested candidates who meet the minimum qualifications should submit a completed Maryland State Application (MS-100) to Glenda Sydnor, Office of Human Resources, 1910 N. Broadway, 3rd Floor, and Baltimore, Maryland 21213 no later than June 20, 2008. Applications should be marked “PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR I – FIB 08-09”.

 

National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health: Since 1984, the National Technical Assistance (TA) Center for Children's Mental Health, at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, has been dedicated to helping states, tribes, territories, and communities transform their service systems to improve the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of children, adolescents and their families. The TA Center has played a national leadership role in the development and implementation of technical assistance and training strategies to promote and sustain community-based systems of care and service system reforms. The TA Center is funded and supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Administration for Children and Families, private foundations, and individual contracts.

Director of Child Welfare Policy:
The Director of Child Welfare Policy holds a faculty position at the Georgetown University Medical Center and will work in Washington, DC. The director is responsible for leading the TA Center’s child welfare/mental health initiative and ensuring a critical child welfare voice and expertise in the overall work of the TA Center. The child welfare initiative is designed to increase the capacity of states, tribes and communities to offer effective mental health services for children and families served by the child welfare system.

Position Duties:
Providing technical assistance to states, communities, tribes, families and national organizations on system reform strategies that involve child welfare and mental health; conducting relevant research/evaluation, and disseminating findings; participating on national task forces to provide a cross-system voice in policy discussions; facilitating collaboration between mental health and child welfare organizations; partnering with other organizations and national resource centers on specific initiatives to maximize resources and share innovative practices; producing seminal system reform documents and providing training on them; and participating in the national Training and Technical Assistance Network established by the federal Administration for Children and Families. In addition, the director participates in other TA Center activities such as state policy academies, biennial training institutes, national TA conference calls, intensive coaching/TA for individual states, and cluster meetings.

Qualifications
MSW, DSW, PhD or related terminal degree. At least 5 years experience in child welfare system and in building cross-agency systems. Ability to lead and initiate, to work successfully with disparate groups; to build partnerships; and to think systemically, analytically and strategically. Commitment to system of care values. Knowledge and understanding of: child welfare programs, laws, policies, and mandates; childhood mental health disorders; promising and evidence-based practices for children and youth in the child welfare system; trauma related mental health issues common to children in the child welfare system. Demonstrated ability to write well, make presentations, facilitate large groups, and conduct workshops and training sessions.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, CV and salary requirements to qucdc@georgetown.edu. Georgetown University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

For further information, contact:
Jim Wotring, Director
National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health
202/687-5052, jrw59@georgetown.edu

 

Casey Family Program (CFP) is a nationally operating foundation. Our mission is to provide and improve and ultimately to prevent the need for foster care. Currently, we are seeking a Director of Systems Analysis manages the delivery of relevant, effective, appropriate technical assistance to child welfare jurisdictions throughout the country, both proactively and in response to requests. The Director has responsibility for outcomes from Casey's delivery of assistance in designated areas including but not limited to education, mental health, employment and national child welfare information systems.

Minimum qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Education, Social Work, or other closely related field required and 8 - 10 years of relevant experience required. History of progressively increasing responsibility in supervision/management; experience in establishment and maintenance of operational and administrative standards required

Knowledge of child welfare administration, practice, research and issues required. Experience in management, supervision and coordination of a team is essential to success in this position. Budget and business planning experience required. Demonstrated experience in: systems that work with child welfare towards permanency, safety and self sufficiency; continuous quality improvement; knowledge and experience in program evaluation; demonstrated ability to lead systems improvement work in a deadline-driven environment is required.

Technical Skills:
Experience with MS Office is essential. Demonstrated ability to learn other pertinent software programs as required.

Casey Family Programs is an EOE working towards a culturally diverse and competent work place. To view the complete job description, visit www.casey.org. To apply, send a cover letter and resume with job title and job location noted in the subject line to jobs@casey.org or fax to 866-321-9666.

 

Casey Family Programs Fostering families. Fostering change.

Casey Family Program (CFP) is a nationally operating foundation. Our mission is to provide and improve—and ultimately to prevent the need for—foster care. Currently, we are seeking a Director Child Protection Services who is responsible for delivering relevant, effective, and appropriate technical assistance to child welfare jurisdictions throughout the country, both proactively and in response to requests. The Director has responsibility for outcomes from Casey’s delivery of assistance in designated areas including but not limited to differential response, team decision making, safety and risk, and investigation and assessment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work


• Pubic Administration or other closely related field with 8-10 years of relevant experience required


• History of progressively increasing responsibility in supervision/management


• Experience in establishment and maintenance of operational and administrative standards required


• Knowledge of child welfare administration, practice and issues required


• Experience in management supervision and coordination of a team is essential to success in this position


• Candidate must have budget business planning experience


• Demonstrated experience in child welfare and continuous quality improvement


• Knowledge and experience in social program evaluation


• Demonstrated ability to lead systems improvement work in a deadline-driven environment is required


• Demonstrated skills in publication and report writing for a variety of audiences including practitioners, consumers and policy makers is essential


• A balance of assertiveness and diplomacy is important, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with a team of professionals, internal and external to Casey


• Experience in MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) is essential

Casey Family Programs is an EOE working towards a culturally diverse and competent work place. To view the complete job description, visit www.casey.org. To apply, send a cover letter and resume with job title and job location noted in the subject line to jobs@casey.org or fax to 866-321-9666.