Plan of Safe Care Coordinator

Job Title: Plan of Safe Care (POSC) Coordinator

Location: Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi

Classification: Independent Contractor, 9-month project

Summary:

The role of the POSC Coordinator is to collaborate with local Substance Use Disorder (SUD) service providers, local Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) partners, local Intervention Court teams, local prenatal care providers, local birthing hospitals, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and other local partners providing supports and services for pregnant women with SUDs, infants affected by prenatal substance exposure, and their families. This position will work closely with local providers to leverage the POSC as a mechanism for service and resource identification, engagement, and care coordination for this population. Preferred applicants will demonstrate a strong commitment to the following core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, 6) committed to continuous learning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop new or strengthen existing partnerships with community-based providers serving pregnant and postpartum women.
• Coordinate the development of comprehensive, family-centered POSCs for infants affected by prenatal substance exposure and their families.
• Coordinate holistic assessments of family needs—including substance use, parenting support, housing stability, mental health, medical care, and child safety—to guide service planning, referrals, and care coordination
• Coordinate and support engagement in referrals to treatment, early intervention, peer support, parenting programs, and other supports addressing barriers to access.
• Maintain consistent contact with families and service providers to support continuity of care and adjust the POSC as needs evolve.
• Work closely with MDCPS, courts, and legal partners to ensure POSCs are integrated into family service and reunification plans when appropriate.
• Facilitate local POSC Planning Team Meetings (Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson Counties), including preparing agendas and recording meeting minutes.
• Support the development, refinement, and implementation of interagency protocols, policies, and procedures related to client identification, POSC Planning Team formation, progress tracking, and required data collection.
• Communicate with relevant agencies regarding POSC development, family progress, and support agencies in implementing strategies to increase family engagement in services and supports.
• Serve as the central liaison among providers serving families with a POSC to ensure integrated and coordinated wraparound services are provided.
• Develop public awareness initiatives focus on the effects of prenatal substance exposure, parental substance use, and available supports.
• Provide training, resources, and support to strengthen local medical and substance use providers’ capacity to assess risk and respond to prenatal substance exposure in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson Counties.
• Create and distribute marketing, communication materials, and toolkits, aimed at strengthening connections between families and local prenatal service providers and partners.
• Ensure strict confidentiality of all information and records (computerized and manual) of current and past clients, assessments, schedules, and community resources.

Compensation: Flat contract fee of $3,600 every two weeks in arrears. Business expenses shall be reimbursed monthly for mileage at the federal rate and other approved expenses at cost.  A business cellphone, laptop, and office space will be provided.

Qualification Requirements:

• Understanding of federal and state policies that govern Plans of Safe Care.
• Clear understanding of all federal and state confidentiality law requirements.
• Proven ability to build, and/or history of, strong involvement in local community organizations
• Perform tasks, including speaking persuasively to implement desired actions; and solve practical problems
• Understand organizational background around policies and procedures and ensure health education is conducted consistent with these policies and procedures
• Work with a variety of data using standardized methods and job-related equipment including ability to enter and track client’s data
• Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances
• Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans
• Satisfactorily perform the functions of the job including knowledge of SUD and appropriate treatments; understanding of the harmful effects of stigma related to SUDs; pregnancy and infant development stages; parenting methods; community resources; age appropriate activities; knowledge of child welfare system; concepts of grammar and punctuation; business telephone etiquette; and safety practices and procedures
• Ability to utilize pertinent software applications; applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment; performing standard bookkeeping; and preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Must be detail oriented and possess strong organizational skills; communication with persons with varied cultural and educational backgrounds; establishing and maintaining constructive relationships; maintaining confidentiality; adapting and changing work priorities; working as part of a team; and setting priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to accept supervision and make personal performance improvements as appropriate
• Capability to work flexible hours (potentially nights, weekends, and holidays – based on client needs)
• Clearances: No criminal or child abuse history as determined by a criminal background check and child abuse screening
• Education and/or Experience: Master’s degree preferred in nursing, public health, social work or relevant human services field from an accredited college or university. A minimum of 4 years of experience. Will consider Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience.

Certification, Licenses, Registrations, and Related Requirements: Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license; automobile insurance with liability coverage of $100,000-$300,000, including work-related travel; and daily access to an automobile.

Physical Demands/Work Conditions: This position requires visual and auditory acuity and the physical ability to climb stairs, stand for long periods of time, and lift or carry up to 10 pounds. The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a home environment that is noisy, active, and unpredictable. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions such as heat, cold, dust, fumes, noise, and wetness on a daily basis. This job description does not necessarily list all the duties of the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the company may terminate your employment at any time, for any reason.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter via email to info@mgccf.org, addressed to the attention of Christen Duhé.