About the role
Position: Intake Specialist Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt Reports to: Intake Supervisor Company: Texans Together Location: Bay Area/Montgomery, TX - Region 6b
Position Description: The Intake Specialist is responsible for processing referrals and placing youth referred to the Agency by TDFPS and other agencies. This position plays a vital role in promoting the well-being of children, participates in staff meetings and trainings, and coordinating with staff from other agencies involved in providing services to youth. The Intake Specialist works closely with DFPS staff, and placement providers to ensure youth are placed in properly trained and licensed facilities within required timelines. This position also responds to crisis calls and emergencies reported through the Texans Together intake line, ensuring timely and appropriate support.
This position serves the Bay Area/Montgomery area, known as Region 6b and is comprised of surrounding counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton.
Primary Responsibilities: * Receive and review youth referral and intake information from DFPS staff and other agencies. * Accept and coordinate placement of youth in appropriate, licensed, and trained facilities within established timelines. * Coordinates and assists to locate and arrange for appropriate placement of clients in out of home care. * Serves as a liaison for all Agency children placed in residential and psychiatric facilities. * Handle crisis calls and emergencies reported to the Texans Together intake line. * Collaborate with staff from DFPS and other agencies to ensure continuity of services and support for children and youth. * Participate in meetings with collaborating partners and agencies as assigned. * Participate in other administrative and planning meetings as needed to facilitate referral and placement. * Ensure all placements comply with Texans Together policies, procedures, and other applicable contract requirements and outcomes. * Ensure an accurate system of identifying available resources to satisfy youth placements. * Maintain an up-to-date listing of all Agency network providers and licensing capacity. * Work assigned shifts to support the Agency’s ability to provide 24-hour intake and placement for Region 6. * Ensure children are placed in properly trained and licensed facilities with appropriate capacity to accept placement. * Adhere to all agency policies and procedures, as well as the standards of accrediting and regulatory bodies, including Council on Accreditation (COA) and state licensing requirements. * Attend mandatory and relevant in-service training offered at Texans Together to enhance knowledge of services and the application of clinical skills.
Required Qualifications: * Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, or related field. * Minimum three (3) years in Texas child welfare, preferably with conservatorship, investigations, and/or the centralized placement unit.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Knowledge of placement policies, procedures, and best child welfare practices. * Ability to effectively utilize IMPACT Legacy, IMPACT 2.0, and CLASS systems to support accurate documentation and effective case management. * Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize various software applications (i.e., Microsoft Suites) * Skilled in effective verbal and written communication. * Skilled in building and maintaining collaborative working relationships. * Ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, collaborating agencies, community professionals, services providers and other staff. * Demonstrate good organization skills. * Ability to develop systems that support compliance. * Demonstrate an ability to continue learning through supervision, continuing education and experience, and work cooperatively using a team approach.
Work Conditions: * Environment: Office * Range of Schedule: 24-hour on-call rotation * Travel: Occasional – Local and Statewide (Must have reliable personal transportation). Uses own vehicle on agency business AND transports clients. Must have a valid Texas Driver License and maintain auto liability insurance.