They develop and implement a comprehensive, coordinated, community based, family centered and culturally competent system for ongoing assessment and intervention for children with chronic conditions and disabilities. They serve as technical and programmatic experts within social work and public health. Employees perform other related work as required. The range of services provided at this level require expert social services knowledge and skills for program planning and implementation, monitoring, evaluation, research, data collection and analysis, policy development, advocacy and consultation as well as the ability to influence public policy and decision makers. Incumbents must have a sufficient grasp of involved practices and precedents or of advanced principles for the social work field and the public health field needed to conduct and improve work processes.
Incumbents operate within clearly defined agency policies and principles within the discipline.
Leads, directs and participates in the collaborative policy development and strategic planning between and among public and private service delivery systems and policy makers so that the needs of the special population are represented, identified and addressed by evaluating policies, initiating and maintaining relationships with policy makers and participating in the development of or review of grant applications. Conducts research, analyzes and disseminates data about children with special health needs, their families and the service delivery systems so that this population is assured optimal and appropriate service by collecting data, reviewing other sources of data, researching and evaluating social work strategies, collaborating with service delivery systems to identify their data needs and disseminating findings that support efforts to quantify the issues of this population. Leads and collaborates in the development of training programs for peers, other professionals in health and social work and families to assure the best practice in the delivery of care and service to children with special health needs by conducting needs assessments, planning and designing training materials and programs. Reviews state and federal legislation, current research, literature and protocols so that the impact on children with special health needs and their families is assessed. Represents the department on state and regional policy making boards, committees, work groups and task forces so that programs and policies are developed and quality of programs and services are continuously improved by active involvement and participation in committees, initiatives or projects.