Integrated Care Specialist

Heartland for Children; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Tuition assistance

Generous paid time off

Job summary

A child welfare agency in Bartow, Florida is seeking a professional non-clinical position focused on coordinating care for children under the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field, alongside at least three years of experience in child protection or welfare. Responsibilities include managing Baker Act requirements, facilitating meetings, and supporting case management teams. The effective candidate will have deep knowledge of developmental disabilities and excellent communication skills. A comprehensive benefits package is also provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years experience in child protection and/or child welfare.
• Drug testing required for employment.
• Experience working with developmental disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate care for children through APD processes and Baker Act requirements.
• Establish working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Support case management teams with resources and referrals.

Skills

Knowledge of developmental disabilities

Child protection and welfare experience

Strong communication skills

Ability to build positive relationships

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Human Services

Tools

FSFN

Job description

This is a professional non-clinical position responsible for the coordination of care for children related to Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) processes, management of Baker Act operational requirements, and facilitation support for Level‑of‑Care (LOC) staffings; ensuring consistent, efficient and compliant workflows across developmental disability services, behavioral health crisis systems and internal multidisciplinary team processes.

Essential Functions:

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Heartland for Children internal and external customers
• APD Coordination
  • Educates and supports case managers, caregivers and stakeholders on APD processes and requirements
  • Collects, reviews and submits applications for youth with qualifying diagnoses and assists with eligibility determinations and appeals
  • Coordinates assessments and monitors all ‑related timelines, including crisis requests and re‑enrollment needs
  • Facilitates residential transitions and communicates with providers regarding placement options, required documentation and service/payment coordination
  • Maintains accurate tracking systems (FSFN and internal databases) and participates in case reviews and MDT staffing meetings
  • Serves as a liaison among APD/Waiver Support Coordinators, DCF, receiving facilities, Medicaid Managed Care, AHCA, DJJ and community providers
• Baker Acts
  • Responds to notifications and follows established rapid response protocols to ensure timely coordination with receiving facilities
  • Tracks all episodes, dispositions, follow‑up scheduling and service linkages within required timeframes
  • Communicates with providers regarding treatment team meetings, step‑down planning and service availability
  • Provide guidance to case management on obtaining the appropriate follow‑up services for children who have been Baker Acted or Marchman Acted and those children staffed for therapeutic, substance abuse or other behavioral health services
  • Maintains a comprehensive therapeutic tracking log for youth with inpatient and high‑acuity episodes
  • Daily monitoring and tracking of Baker Acts to identify the need for a Staffing
  • Daily monitoring and tracking of seven (7) day follow‑up appointments after discharge
• Receives and tracks referrals for multidisciplinary behavioral health staffings.
• Prepares packets, organizes assessments and ensures documentation is completed prior to staffings
• Facilitates meeting logistics and documents decisions and action items, routing them to assigned team members for follow‑through
• Assist case managers in preparing appropriate information, including request for initial suitability assessments and 90‑day reviews for potential providers for children when appropriate for review and/or placement in residential treatment mental health or substance abuse treatment
• Supports case management teams with navigation of therapeutic, residential and community‑based service options when higher‑level placements are not authorized
• Provide assistance, guidance and recommendations for services when medical necessity is not met for higher levels of care and community services are most appropriate
• Facilitation & Backup Support
  • Serve as a back‑up to the Behavior Health Specialists in conducting staffings when deemed appropriate or necessary
  • Attend and facilitate staffings as required through other HFC Departments to meet the needs of children
  • Perform special projects as assigned

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Human Services field. Minimum of three years experience in child protection and/or child welfare or related field. Knowledge of developmental disabilities required. Experience working in FSFN preferred.

Excellent benefits package with tuition assistance, domestic partner coverage, retirement andgenerous paid time off.

Drug free workplace. Drug testing required. EOE/M/F/D/V.