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MR PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

EXEMPT: No
DEPARTMENT: Mental Health/Mental Retardation
UNION: 84
UPDATE: 02/24/10

SUMMARY: The Early Intervention Director performs and executes tasks and duties which are delegated by the Deputy Administrator, MR Program, in the administration of community-based services for the infants, toddlers and their families.  The Early Intervention Director is generally responsible for the management and maintenance of the Early Intervention (EI) service delivery system within the parameters of Act 212-1990, the Early Intervention System Act under Part 303 of Federal Law IDEA, Amendments 2004, PA Early Intervention Regulations, Section 4226.27, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Announcements, and County Policy and Procedures.  Administrative responsibilities include provider oversight, program planning, development, coordination, evaluation, rate setting and budgeting.  The responsibilities of this position require some travel throughout the County, Southeast Region of Pennsylvania and Harrisburg.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Responsible for the daily administration, conflict resolution and problem-solving issues related to complaints and concerns involving Early Intervention services through fact finding, follow-up and consultation with the Deputy Administrator, MR Program.
• Department Liaison with the State OCDEL, the local Mutually Agreed upon Written Arrangements (MAWA), the County Health Department, Head Start, United Way and other child serving agencies as it pertains to EI.
• Ensures the provision of quality EI Services that adheres to the State’s model and philosophy; the principles of family-centeredness, inclusion and best practices.
• Responsible for implementation, management and response to OCDEL’s program validation of the County EI system, in addition to implementation of necessary program changes within the Department in response to this process.
• Participates in the Rate Setting process, analyzes and validates the EI provider budget submissions and reviews findings with the MR Deputy Administrator and the Financial Director to ensure negotiated rates are established.
• Ensures that a routine process is established and adhered to for the review and oversight of current and projected expenditures by EI providers and Service Coordination Units.
• Monitors projected expenditures quarterly and gathers and analyzes documents and expenditures from service providers and Base Service Units in preparation for Department rebudgets with OCDEL and makes recommendations to the MR Deputy Administrator, the Financial Director and the MH/MR Administrator.
• Represents the Department at State, Regional and local meetings as related to Early Intervention.
• Department liaison with the OCDEL EI Technical Assistance (TA) Unit.
• Liaison with Early Childhood programs and other County and community Human Service agencies, including Behavioral Health, United Way, etc. related to EI and children birth to five.
• Responsible for interpretation and implementation of State and County policies related to Early Intervention.
• Formulates clear standardized policies, procedures and guidelines for EI Service Coordinators and EI Providers.
• Responsible for and performs annual compliance monitoring of EI providers and Service Coordination Units to ensure quality of service delivery per OCDEL standards.
• Makes recommendations to Deputy Administrator for resolution of issues that require executive action and assures that corrective measures are taken as necessary.
• Responsible for management of and participation in all Parents Rights process; administrative meetings, mediation, due process and fair hearings and conflict resolution; as well as State/Regional OCDEL investigations as necessary.
• Promotes ongoing development of EI Service Coordinators, EI Directors and provider staff and their sub-contractors by recommending participation in pertinent conferences workshops and seminars and through the development and offering of Department sponsored trainings.
• Responsible for development of an annual training and technical assistance plan in collaboration with our EI TA County Representative, for families, EI Service Coordinators, their supervisors and the EI providers.
• Responsible to ensure active Department participation and oversight to the Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC), as well as, promoting family, provider and Service Coordinator involvement.  Ensures Department fulfills OCDEL requirements related to a LICC.
• Responsible for development of OCDEL required Interagency Agreements: with the local MAWA, Head Start and the Department of Health, and C&Y.
• Responsible for local implementation, oversight and ongoing maintenance of the quality of data in the States EI data system.
• Attends evening, weekend and overnight meetings as required.
• Ability to gather information on service programs and operations and to analyze and evaluate service data for compliance with requirements.
• Ability to prepare detailed written reports of findings, conclusion and recommendations and to express ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency directors, staff and associates and community groups.
• Performs other tasks as required by the Deputy Administrator, MR Program.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Any combination of experience and training that affords the applicant an opportunity to gain the above listed knowledge, skill and ability.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• Thorough knowledge of child development and best practices in early intervention.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to the early intervention program.
• Considerable knowledge of administrative principles, policies and procedures as they apply to the promotion and coordination of supports and services for young children.
• Knowledge of basic principles and practices related to annual budgets, funding streams and accounting.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• One year as a County Mental Retardation Program Specialist I; or three years of professional level experience in the field of mental retardation; and a bachelor’s degree; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Pennsylvania residency required.