Eligibility Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Eligibility Specialist STATUS: Non-Exempt, FT GRADE: 1

SALARY: $40,000-$45,000

DEPT: Early Childhood Financial Empowerment Services – Addison, IL. 60101 PROGRAM: Youth & Family Potential - Child Care Assistance Program

REPORTS TO: Early Childhood Financial Empowerment Services Coordinator

SUMMARY: The Eligibility Specialist’s overall responsibilities are to support and assist childcare assistance service applicants and childcare providers in completing the eligibility process for CCAP, and CACFP services in accordance with IDHS, IDVA and ISBE guidelines.

COLLABORATES WITH: Early Childhood Financial Empowerment Services Manager, Team Coordinators, ECS, YWCA staff members, DuPage, Lake and Kane Counties Human Services Representatives, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IL DCFS), Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs (IDVA) Parents and Child Care Providers throughout the Chicagoland Area.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Member Contact:

· Respond in a timely manner to requests for services via calls, emails, and walk-in’s

· Through conversation, evaluate the need for immediate intervention and to facilitate referral and linkage to appropriate community services, including additional YWCA services, in compliance with IL DHS and YWCA policies and procedures.

· Determine client and provider eligibility for CCAP, and Tummy

· Obtain all pertinent documentation for both clients and providers

· Provide TA for clients and providers

Administrative Duties:

· Perform data entry, report and statistics functions in an accurate and timely manner.

· Manage and monitor cases to include all updates, approvals, cancellations, denials, and payments

· Ensuring all pertinent documents are received and uploaded to client/provider files.

· Monitor License Exempt childcare provider documents requirement for eligibility in accordance with IDHS policies and procedures.

NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Participate in administrative and program meetings, as appropriate. Travel may be required.

· Responsible for promoting and educating individuals about all programs and assisting clients in navigating the Child Care Assistance Program, Tummy, and other programs offered within the YWCA.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned but not limited to; special projects, tasks force or other assignments.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university or Two years of customer service experience

· One - three years of prior customer service experience

· Keen problem-solving skills

· Strong relationship skills

· Demonstrated ability to work independently

· Intermediate level skills with MS Office and Outlook

Discretion is required for handling of documents and consultation for member concerns. Demonstrated respect and appreciation for working in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural work environment must be evident. The Eligibility Specialist must be able to work effectively with clients and providers who may show stress and impatience.

Professional Training Required: Once hired, a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of professional training related to Early Childhood and/or to the responsibilities of the position is required annually.

*Note: A bilingual Eligibility Specialist who works with a foreign language speaking community must demonstrate cultural competency with that community and fluency in both English and the community’s language (oral and written).

EDUCATION REQUIRED: An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university or a progress toward completion of a degree is preferred.

CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED: NA

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment includes offices or virtual; members and visitors may visit with children. The noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking, stooping or kneeling. There may be a need to reach, lift or move objects, such as packages, supplies and computers. Normal (or corrected) vision range; ability to see color and to distinguish letters, numbers and symbols are necessary to the work, which may require close viewing. Communication needs include seeing, hearing and speaking. While in the office, there will be periods of sitting, holding a telephone and using computers. Reasonable accommodation may be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.