Child Care Assistance (CCA) Eligibility Specialist

Eligibility Specialist

thread assists families in finding affordable, high-quality child care that meets their needs. We provide professional development, technical assistance, and financial support to early childhood educators and programs to ensure they are preparing children for lifelong success. By collaborating with communities and businesses, we work to achieve positive outcomes for families and young children through increased access to affordable, high-quality child care. We undertake research and advocate for child care policies. This work is guided by our core values of empowerment, access, child care professionalism, children's rights, and entrepreneurial incubator.

Specific Responsibilities:

Promote the child care assistance mission – Access to affordable and safe child care is a critical support to families seeking employment, working and/or participating in educational opportunities to increase their employability and ultimately achieve self-sufficiency.

The Eligibility Specialist is responsible for the intake of applications, for direct case management of Child Care Assistance families including initial applications, financial determinations, maintenance of records, assisting families on available community resources and appropriate referrals. This position is also trained to be back up for the Provider Specialist, responsible for working with approved providers, assisting with eligibility of approved providers, and maintaining provider files.

1. Administer CCAP services for Northern and Southeast regions following State, Federal, and thread policies and procedures.
2. Interpret and explain requirements and regulations governing eligibility and program functioning to clients.
3. Provide direct services to families to determine eligibility based on state and federal requirements for child care assistance following all timelines and deadlines set by the CCA policies and procedures.
4. Maintain family files and data according to state and federal regulations and policies. This includes database files and following state guidelines for file management including the database system.
5. Participate as a member of thread's Family Services team to implement and inform program work plans and goals, short- and long-range planning, and any other assigned teams.
6. Authorize, deny, update/address changes for continuing eligibility, or terminate eligibility for the State of Alaska child care assistance PASS program. This includes revising authorization agreements and creating and maintaining wait lists when program funds are not available. Maintain a high accuracy rate in eligibility determinations and assistance authorizations within strict timeframes. Document rationale for decisions and actions taken within database.
7. Participate in CCA & CCR&R community outreach activities as assigned in accordance with thread and CCA Policy and Procedure.
8. Respond to routine questions regarding client and provider applications.
9. Serve as the backup to Provider Specialist as needed. See Provider Specialist job description.
10. Assist with developing internal policies, procedures, and forms.
11. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.
2. 3 years Human Services program experience required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
3. 1 year experience working with regulations, statues, using criteria/guidelines, collections/investigations, or claims, etc.
4. Valid Alaska driver's license with clean driving record required.
5. References and valid identification required.
6. Must pass background check.

Key Competencies:

1. Passion and commitment to thread's mission and the importance of early childhood
2. Knowledge of early care and education programs and services, and community collaboration initiatives
3. Ability to provide high level, positive customer
4. Flexibility and adaptability as organizational needs change.
5. Strong interpersonal skills
6. Strong analytical skills and attention to
7. Strong customer service skills
8. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of providers, parents, staff, and members of the
9. Ability to use database systems and general office programs with comfort and ease including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Zoom, PowerPoint, Salesforce, State of Alaska Systems including AKCCIS and CMS, shared project management tools, and

Schedule and Compensation:

Position Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Location: 542 4th Ave., Ste 226, Fairbanks, AK, 99701

Position Type: Permanent, Full Time, 40 hours/week

Classification: Non-exempt

Supervisor: CCA Manager/Local Administrator

Supervises: None

Compensation: $26.00 - $28.50/hour

Full Time Benefits: 20 days of leave (starting), paid holidays, 403b match, High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA option (employer contributes to HSA), Dental, Vision and Life. All premiums covered 100% for employee's health, dental, vision and life. Free thread services.