ICF is seeking a State and Territory Liaison that will serve as the Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) primary contact to provide expertise, coordination, and oversight for all states/jurisdictions throughout Region 8 and other assigned. The Liaison will work closely with the state/jurisdictions of the region and the Regional State Office Specialists in assessing needs and identifying services to assist in improving outcomes in the state/jurisdiction. The position will work in support of and in partnership with the Children's Bureau (CB), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement child welfare innovations. The successful candidate will have broad knowledge of public child welfare service continuum and of child welfare policy and practice issues.
This position will be based out of a home work office with up to 75% travel (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming).
Key Responsibilities:
Partnership expectations
Establish a strong partnership with CB's regional program specialists in the region
Establish and lead a "shoulder-to-shoulder" working relationship with assigned state/territorial leadership and staff that is the foundation for capacity building activities.
Facilitate the critical partnership among Center staff, CB staff and leadership, and staff and leaders in CW agencies to ensure the success of capacity building activities.
Review state profiles and contribute to the body of knowledge available to experts about the state
Develop relationships with other partners providing services within the jurisdiction
Provide leadership in assigned states in innovation and problem solving. Collaborate as part of a Center team to ensure that the expertise, skills, and relationships of Center SMEs, consultants, and other staff are leveraged to the overall provision of capacity building in their assigned states.
Work in close collaboration with Tribal and Legal Capacity Building Centers
Participate in Center team meetings to help identify regional and national trends and develop strategies to support these issues.
Identify lessons learned on what is working well and challenges to contribute to body of knowledge for Center service delivery and partnership
Document areas of progress and need for Center service
Function as a primary point of contact for the state/jurisdiction and communicate frequently with the assigned jurisdiction using multiple modalities
Travel to assigned jurisdictions as needed depending on needs of work plan
Project Oversight
Serve as the primary point of contact for capacity building activities in assigned states.
Maintain expert knowledge about each assigned state's strengths, needs, systemic issues and pressures, and other critical information.
Oversee Center project work plans, deliverables, and teams of subject matter experts in assigned states
Conduct data-driven organizational needs assessments that is inclusive of understanding of issues of racial disproportionality,
Developing thorough project work plans, and develop project teams who will provide capacity building technical assistance to states
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities, including identifying and building from lessons learned in project oversight
Troubleshoot any barriers encountered within the state/territory during assessment and service delivery
Provide and insight about the jurisdiction for any contract providers or staff who are providing services
Monitor service quality and jurisdiction satisfaction for all services provided in partnership with any assigned project manager
Participate in weekly meetings with other State/Territory Leads and the Center's Management Team to review service delivery to each agency receiving brief services, as well as agencies applying for or receiving intensive services, review progress to date and planned activities, participate in collaborative problem solving, share lessons learned, and support matrixed resource planning.
Contribute to regular project reporting, budget management, and evaluation efforts
Service Delivery
Become and remain familiar with all challenges related to child welfare practices in the state/jurisdiction such as settlement agreements, unique organizational structure such as county administered, implementation projects underway, and anything with the potential to impact outcomes in child welfare
and/or oversee teams who provide service delivery strategies including but not limited to: facilitation, training, consultation, data analysis, and planning
Lead the needs assessment process in each assigned state including policy and document review (APSR, CFSP, etc.), extant data collection and analysis, and interviews with key stakeholders.
Utilize and partner with the research and data team on behalf of the jurisdiction
Provide service delivery in accordance with the Center Tailored Services Practice Model and using a change and implementation approach with jurisdictions aimed at building sustainable change in practice.
Work to convene and oversee a multidisciplinary team of Center staff and external consultants to provide tailored services projects to states
Develop support plans and oversee service delivery of support for states specific to their CFSR, FFPSA, CFSP or other federal initiative efforts
Identify and recruit for specialized expertise that might be used in other jurisdictions
Work collaboratively with subject matter experts and deliver a seamless service array
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in social work, social sciences, or related field
8-10 years professional work experience with at least 7+ years of experience training/technical assistance provision in a human services field, preferably in child welfare.
Experience with Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) processes and data-driven decision making.
Demonstrated project management experience, including client relationship management, staff supervision, and budget management in a contract consulting environment.
Ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships for capacity building projects.
Working knowledge of the Child Welfare systems and federal laws that apply to Child Welfare such as the Family First Prevention and Services Act, ASFA and ICWA
Preferred Skills:
Master's degree in social work, public administration, or related field.
Experience implementing a broad scale project in a public service system
Knowledge of change management and implementation processes
Knowledge of Child and Family Services Plans
Bi-lingual English and Spanish speaking
Professional Skills:
Solid team builder and team player with proven ability to manage competing priorities, perspectives and stakeholder needs.
Ability and willingness to apply a racial equity framework to all areas of work
Exceptional project management skills, with a focus on TA project management, including the management of project teams
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
Ability to work independently and maintain high-