Quality Improvement Specialist

Salary: $60,000- $65,000/yrly

Position Summary

The Quality Improvement Specialist is responsible for implementing continuous quality improvement measures that promote best practice and compliance with Federal, State and City regulations, policies and procedures in support of achieving positive child welfare outcomes. The Quality Improvement Specialist employs the Continuous Quality Improvement learning cycle of identifying, describing, and analyzing strengths and problems, then testing, implementing, learning from, and revising solutions. The Quality Improvement Specialist supports and executes all methods of qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, visualization and reporting to program leadership. In addition, the Quality Improvement Specialist will support efforts to engage and encourage stakeholder participation that includes evaluating outcome metrics.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

• We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.
• We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.
• We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.
• We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate key performance indicators of performance and practice in child welfare.
• Support the design of dashboards using Microsoft Excel and/or other programs to monitor compliance and practice in key performance indicators.
• Support the Director of Quality Improvement to develop internal policy and procedure to improve programmatic practice, performance and operations.
• Conduct and analyze data from random reviews of case records to evaluate the timeliness and quality of documentation, assessments of safety, risk, well-being and services, supervision and guidance as well as timely and effective decision-making on cases.
• Produce monthly and quarterly reports that includes but is not limited to, performance data, Indicated SCR, Clients Served, CSEC, Supervisory Case Reviews, Casework Contacts, FASP Timeliness, Family Engagement and Family Team Conferencing.
• Support the implementation mechanisms of client and employee feedback by collecting and analyzing data from, survey tools, facilitation of focus groups, grievance investigations and post-services follow up.
• Analyze data from city, state and federal audits and provide program leadership with reports of findings that include trends and targeted areas for improvement.
• Participate in the ACS Agency Program Assistance Collaborative Quality Improvement cycle and support program staff in the collection and analysis of data in targeted areas for improvement.
• Continually engage and support programs by participating in staff meetings, sharing information, attending COFCCA meetings, troubleshooting database issues and building sustainable child welfare practice.
• Complete system reviews of cases involving high-risk issues, critical incidents and fatalities and provides written report of findings that include recommendations.
• Quality Improvement Specialists must visit and support all Children's Aid Child Welfare Family Services sites and programs as directed by the Director of Continuous Quality Improvement.

Teamwork and Collaboration Responsibilities

• Support the role of the Director of Continuous Quality Improvement by taking on additional tasks and participating in meetings as needed.
• Provide support with various division objectives including, but not limited to, implementation of new contracts and models, monitor and collect outcome data for grant funded programs and initiatives.
• Continually collaborate and support fellow Quality Improvement Specialists to provide adequate coverage and support for all preventive programs, meet deadlines and project deliverables.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development that furthers the department's continuous quality improvement mission and goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or in a related field required, Master's degree, preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience working in an ACS Child Welfare/Human Services setting with in-depth knowledge of and familiarity with ACS and OCFS child welfare policies, procedures and best practices preferred.
• Advanced skills in using agency and child welfare systems such as, Connections and PROMIS systems.
• Advanced skills in using MS Excel and statistical analysis and concepts.
• Must be a creative thinker and problem solver.
• Must be self-motivated and self-directed to manage and complete projects within structured timeframes.
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexibility, and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.