PRINCIPAL PLANNING AND PROGRAM SPECIALIST
: Job Details :

Class DefinitionGENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The Office of the Child Advocate ensures the protection of the legal, civil, and special rights of the children in the care of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The office also represents the interests of children who are in voluntary placement with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Duties to include all activities necessary to fulfill the statutory mandates of the Office of the Child Advocate statute.Illustrative Examples of Work PerformedILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:* Work in collaboration with all OCA team members to review cases and matters referred to the OCA. This could include, but not limited to, direct youth engagement, review of clinical documentation, and placement/service referrals, attendance at meetings, and authoring reports.* Provide direct support to the OCA legal team with court involved cases.* Connect and work in collaboration with all service providers to develop a deep understanding of the service array available to our youth and families and assist with advocacy efforts to enhance our service array to ensure the clinical needs of all children and youth are fulfilled.* Conduct ongoing research regarding best practices within child welfare, juvenile justice and children's behavioral health, to inform the recommendations and advocacy efforts of the office. Explore systemic issues and barriers impacting our children and youth, as assigned.* Author reports as assigned by the Child Advocate or Assistant Child Advocate.* Review legislative and policy changes to provide feedback as assigned by the Child Advocate or Assistant Child Advocate.* Serve as a member of the Child Fatality Review Panel.* Review records and provide support to the team with record requests and development of case chronologies for the Child Fatality Review Panel.* Specific focus on youth voice and engagement to inform our advocacy and philanthropic initiatives. Work in collaboration with the OCA team to develop and assist with philanthropic initiatives.* Respond to inquiries as they relate to children in the care of the Department.* Serve on committees as assigned.* The Principal Planning and Program Specialist responsibilities are subject to change and will be expected to perform other related duties as necessary.Required Qualifications for AppointmentREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:The Principal Planning and Program Specialist shall possess a Master's Degree in Social Work and at least six (6) years' experience working with children and adolescents or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience. Valid driver's license, BCI and CANTS check required.For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.Agency State of Rhode IslandAddress One Capitol HillProvidence, Rhode Island, 02908Website