Primary Purpose
Worker administers the Child Care Subsidy Program, which includes working with child care providers, supervision of 4 day care social workers, overseeing payment of child care providers, and maintaining child care provider information for the agency; providing training and technical assistance for agency staff and child care providers; serving as an advocate for children and liaison with the community. This position is part of the Income Maintenance Division of the Craven County Department of Social Services. Craven County DSS purchases child care services for eligible clients from state licensed centers and homes.
Essential Functions
70% Management and Coordination of Child Care Subsidy Program
Supervision of 4 Social Workers who oversee payments of child care providers each month.
Enroll providers in the child care program and maintain a provider file for each provider that complies with Division of Child Development requirements.
Obtain payment rates from each child care provider and maintain agency rate file. Track changes in payment rates, to assure correct payments are being made to childcare providers.
Monitor allocation and monthly child care expenditures for the program to ensure that maximum use of funding is attained. Keep agency management advised of spending and budgetary issues.
Develop work plan, goals, and objectives for the agency’s child care subsidy program.
Develop local payment policies and procedures for the child care program with the approval of the other agency staff, agency director, and the local social services board.
Oversee inputting of information and maintenance of data into on-line reimbursement system and oversee review of attendance information in processing childcare payments.
Staff day care cases with day care social workers and supervisors as needed and provide case management consultation.
Communicate with child care providers regarding child care payment issues—i.e. incorrect payments, no payments, late payments, etc.
Furnish agency staff with information about childcare providers, including any notices of pending investigation due to reports of child abuse or neglect or any administrative actions taken on their child care license.
Visit regulated childcare centers and homes to provide on-site consultation and to monitor facility for compliance with child care subsidy program.
Communicate with and respond to childcare providers, clients, and the public regarding their questions and inquiries about the child care subsidy program.
Meet with other agency supervisors to facilitate agency planning and coordination to improve delivery of services.
Maintain contact with state licensing consultants, state subsidy staff and other county day care coordinators to keep abreast of child care issues and trends and keep agency informed.
20% Technical Assistance and Training for Agency Staff and Providers
Orient newly enrolled childcare providers regarding the child care subsidy program and provide consultation to established child care providers, as needed.
Provide on-going training for child care providers on issues relevant to child care subsidy program, including attendance and absence reporting, collecting fees, record keeping, rates and responsibilities of participating providers.
Interpret new policy and guidelines to agency staff and provide training as needed.
Serve as child care resource person for the agency.
Provide information on agency policy and procedures, childcare resources and training and share with childcare providers through regular newsletters and memos.
Provide technical assistance and training to childcare facilities through small group meetings and on-site consultation, upon provider request or when non-compliance issues necessitate agency intervention.
9% Community Involvement
Serve as an advocate for children and childcare. Represent agency in local advocacy groups.
May provide information about childcare resources/ referral services to parents and the public.
Make presentations to local community groups and participate in community outreach efforts on behalf of childcare subsidy program.
Assess and evaluate childcare needs in the county and participate in need assessments of the county, as they occur.
Collaborate with other agencies to develop needed services and resources for children and families in the county.
1% Other Duties
Work in emergency shelter as assigned during potentially dangerous situations.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor or agency director.
Minimum Education and Experience
Graduation from a four-year college or university preferably with a degree in early childhood education, nursery education, child development or elementary education, and four years of experience in working with young children in a nursery school, kindergarten, elementary school, or day care facility; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
