DSHS Social & Health Program Consultant 1

Benefits Planning Program Consultant

The Benefits Planning Program Consultant (BPPC) contributes to the development of, and/or monitoring, evaluating, or coordinating of social, financial, or health services programs, projects, or program policies and procedures. Assists with the development of, and conducts, presentations and training on program policies and procedures to DVR participants, staff, service vendors, pre-ETS participants, and/or stakeholders.

The BPPC performs case management responsibilities by conducting a thorough benefits planning analysis with DVR participants statewide who receive federal and state benefits, such as Social Security, by analyzing and resolving complex concerns or problems related to their social, financial, or health programs.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Some of what you will be doing

• As subject matter experts (SMEs) provide information to DVR participants to understand how wages impact benefits and then provide recommendations to maximize wages and maintain benefits to reduce poverty.
• Address concerns and dispel myths that hinder employment.
• Educate and strategize with participants to help them work and earn more while utilizing work incentives; Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Blind Work Expenses, Subsidies, Special Conditions, and Student Earned Income Exclusion.
• Educate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) and Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) on the Social Security Administration (SSA) and DSHS program rules when participants begin working.
• Provide guidance to participants, families, VRCs, CRPs, schools, tribal partners, and other participant advocates/partners to help them complete work incentive documentation.
• Educate to empower the participant and their families about overall financial literacy to ensure movement toward self-sufficiency.
• Analyze and interpret information to assess the participants whole benefits and income picture to give well rounded recommendations and consultation to the participant, their families, VRCs, and other meeting attendees.
• Empower informed choice while addressing any financial and health insurance stress the participant is experiencing.
• Analyze and interpret the participants benefits to create an individualized consultation presentation for their benefits planning meeting with the VRC.
• As the participant moves through their journey to employment, provides regular outreach to continue to provide recommendations related to their current step in the process.
• Provides Benefits Planning training and recommendations to VRCs to increase participants wages and improve the agencies median income targets as required by Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) measures and to meet federal grant compliance in an effort to decrease participants poverty level.
• To maximize Ticket to Work reimbursement, Benefits Planners will thoroughly document participants income goal requirements so the correct reimbursement program can be selected at Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE); In-Use VR (traditional cost reimbursement) or In-Use VREN (Employment Network; milestone reimbursements).
• Provide guidance, recommendations, and written report detailing the specifics about less common SSA programs and work incentives such as Partnership Plus, Employment Networks, Section 301, Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS), and Unsuccessful Work Attempts.
• Write individualized benefits planning analyses that summarize the meeting topics, discusses the participants' current employment or job goal, discusses unique situations and next steps, and provides recommendations based on the participants' benefits, income picture, and goals.
• Provide SME assistance in applying for Social Security benefits, DSHS benefits, opening an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account, etc.
• Community outreach to support and promote the Washington State Poverty Reduction Plan (PREG).
• Help participants, their families, and VRCs understand, interpret, and explain documents received from SSA, DSHS, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.
• Research and compile resources and educational information that can be shared with the team and participants.
• Educate participants on supports available following DVR closure to help maintain employment, such as Partnership Plus and other applicable work incentives.
• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of stronger relationships and partnerships with housing authorities to assist with stabilizing participants facing homelessness or housing instability.

Here's what we're looking for:

• Accurately understand, interpret, and explain the rules of Social Security and other state and federal social, financial, and health programs in a clear and understandable manner.
• Analyze, synthesize, and report detailed technical information in formats that are used by others with non-technical knowledge.
• Establish an effective working relationship with a diverse array of DVR participants, staff, service vendors, pre-ETS participants, and/or stakeholders, including those who may be demanding or challenging to work with.
• Provide information and guidance to VRCs and CRPs who have technical questions about Social Security and other state and federal social, financial, and health programs that impacts their participants.
• Communicate effectively in written formats and public presentations; meet formally and informally with a variety of community-based organizations and special interest groups.

Who should apply? Individuals with one of the following:

A Master's degree or higher in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, and one year of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field; and two years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Note: 1 year of experience must be in a vocational rehabilitation setting.

A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. For selected positions in an alcohol and substance abuse program, status as a chemical dependency professional is required.

Along with your applications please submit a Letter of Interest.

For questions about this job, please contact Peter Bonato at View phone number on click.appcast.io or via email View email address on click.appcast.io and reference job number 05139.

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.