TANF Specialist - ELRC 18

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and an intermediary agent, managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

SERVICE AREA: Child Development & Family Services (CDFS)

DIVISION: Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) 18

JOB OVERVIEW:

The TANF Specialist is essential to the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Family Services team in supporting low-income and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) clients in seamlessly moving through intake and eligibility processes for Child Care Works (CCW). The TANF Specialist collaborates with ELRC staff to seamlessly connect families to Child Care Works services and adheres to Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) regulations and policy in full caseload management. This position works with the County Assistance Offices (CAOs) for individualized client support to reduce family burden in service access. This position reports to the TANF Coordinator and operates out of the Early Learning Resource Center office with a hybrid schedule of regular field time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet individually with family clients to understand asserted goals and reported childcare needs.
• Regularly bring family feedback to the Family Services team to inform communication design and enhancements.
• Be responsible for caseload management, including the timely and accurate determination of ongoing family eligibility for subsidized childcare (Child Care Works).
• Adhere to OCDEL and ELRC protocol to ensure all actions are executed effectively and proficiently according to policy, procedures, and state and federal statutes and regulations.
• Maintain complete and accurate files and regularly participate in internal and external monitoring to ensure adherence is verified and opportunities to improve are addressed.
• Accurately and timely determine parent/caretakers and children meet all eligibility requirements for CCW and determine the hours of care provided to the children based on parents/caretakers’ work/education/training hours and documented need for care within prescribed timeframes for low-income or former TANF clients.
• Implement the protocol for transfer of TANF and SNAP clients' eligibility determination from CAOs and processing following batch file transfer.
• Utilize correct income calculations and determine eligibility correctly based on the verification provided by the parent/caretaker.
• Determine whether the household income meets the state’s family gross income within specified Family Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG) or State Medium Income (SMI) limits, whichever is less.
• Determine the amount of subsidy payment authorized based on income, family size, and the Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA) payment rate schedule, and assess the correct co-pay.
• Process case actions for suspended and authorized cases and ongoing redeterminations within the prescribed timeframes.
• Attend periodic training to remain current on ELRC services, regional stakeholder services and resources, and organization/agency processes.
• Understand clients on the caseload and support their needs with community connections and “warm handoffs” to appropriate staff, including connecting to the ELRC Resource and Referral team as appropriate.
• Develop relationships within the ELRC team and providers in the community to foster the selection of high-quality early learning programs.
• Promote Keystone STARS directly with families and assist in the use of COMPASS to identify and select preferred care and build awareness of standards of quality.
• Accurately conduct all program processes promptly. Receive assignments through the monitored ELRC inbox, maintaining stated timelines, updating all status elements, and ensuring full compliance with all regulations, performance standards, and best practices.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

SKILLS:

• Ability to help clients, community members, and colleagues solve problems and achieve goals in a consistently friendly, informed manner
• Ability to use required databases, software, and other technology, including tracking and reporting systems relevant to the job
• Strong oral and written communication skills

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Preferred: Associate degree in social work, human services, administration, or a related field

EXPERIENCE:

• 1 year of experience with social services specific to families in Philadelphia
• 1 year of experience with early learning programs and/or needs-based services

SALARY GRADE: 16

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.