Statewide 688 Coordinator

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a mission-driven, dynamic, highly organized individual to fill the role of Statewide 688 Coordinator. The Statewide 688 Coordinator will serve as the liaison between DCF, EOHHS Bureau of Transition Planning (BTP), and other state agencies. 

The Statewide 688 Coordinator will process and manage all 688 referrals received from the BTP and assigned to DCF. The Statewide 688 Coordinator will provide support to Area Offices, manage and approve 688 referrals, and individualized transition plans (ITP). The Statewide 688 Coordinator is responsible for submissions to BTP.  The 688 Statewide Coordinator will provide training and education to Area Offices related to the 688 referral and transition planning.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

• Serve on the Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) run by the Bureau of Transition Planning Director.  This includes attending TAC meetings and responding to inquiries made by DMH, DDS, and MassAbility.
• Identify cases that need to be reviewed by TAC. Appropriate cases are those where the youth has a documented need for services to be provided 24/7 and pose a safety risk to others or themselves and where the youth has no appropriate family identified to live with, and/or are not appropriate for adult foster care, and/or the youth has applied to and been denied by both DMH and DDS.
• Complete case profile worksheet and pull together documentation for any cases to be reviewed by TAC.
• Facilitate and develop ITP for TAC referred cases.
• Manage cases assigned through TAC.
• Respond and provide support to adult agencies (DDS, DMH, MassAbility) about DCF youth’s transition plans.
• Provide access for all DCF users to the Turning 22 Database System.  Complete UFR form for EHS for any changes to users.
• Process 688 referrals received by the BTP and LEAs.
• Enter 688 referral information into DCF 688 spreadsheet on SharePoint.
• Accept 688 referral case assignments and assign to appropriate Area Office in the BTP 688 database.
• Send letter of notification of 688 referral assignment to the LEA.
• Outreach to Area Office notifying them of the 688 referral, the process, and next steps including the area offices responsibility as it relates to the ITP.
• Process all closings and transfers of DCF 688 referrals.
• Assist Area Offices with:
  • Developing and managing their own 688 tracking system.
  • Individual case consultation to help assess the youth’s needs.
  • Completion of 688 requirements and documentation.
• Attend or facilitate ITP meetings for complex cases.
• Assist in reviewing draft ITPs.
• Assist with reviewing adult application packets, communication with DDS and DMH regarding pending applications, Fair Hearings, and appeals.
• Provide resources, support, and training to increase the level of understanding about the 688 referral process and individualized transition planning for youth with significant disabilities who will need support from adult agencies (DDS & DMH).
• Collaborate and participate in ongoing disability projects and grants within the agency.
• Participate in Regional\Area team meetings – including CQI teams, family group conferencing, and other clinical meetings.
• Serve as part of the Disability Team to assist in shaping policy and providing best practice guidelines to the field. Participate in statewide trainings and interagency efforts as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge about disabilities (intellectual, developmental, and behavioral mental health disabilities as well as complex medical needs) that impact youth and young adults.
• Experience with the child welfare system.
• Experience and knowledge working with special education systems and adult disability services. 

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning.

 For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

Pre-Offer Process: 

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4. 

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.*

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

 NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience.

 Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.