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

DEPT: Early Childhood Services PROGRAM: Child Care Resource & Referral

REPORTS TO: CCAP Manager SUPERVISES: N/A SALARY: $45,000/yr

SUMMARY: The Eligibility Specialist's overall responsibility is to support and assist child care seekers, child care assistance services seekers, and childcare providers in completing the processes mandated by the State of Illinois to reach a speedy determination as to whether or not they meet the state-mandated requirements.

COLLABORATES WITH: CCAP Manager, Team Coordinators, CCAP Teams, ECS, YWCA staff members, DuPage and Kane Counties Human Services Representatives, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IL DCFS), Parents and Child Care Providers throughout DuPage and Kane Counties.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Member Contact:
• Respond in a timely manner to requests for services via calls, emails, and walk-in's with screening to evaluate need for immediate intervention and to facilitate referral and linkage to appropriate community services, including additional YWCA services, in compliance with IL OHS and YWCA policies and procedures.
• Determine member's provider eligibility.
• Obtain all pertinent documentation, including required fingerprints and background checks.
• Determine new client-member's eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program.
• Counsel parents on childcare choices and quality childcare arrangements.

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, in addition to investigating files missing needed documentation.
• Track and investigate problem certificates, overpayments, and supplemental payments.
• Update each member's eligibility as required by Illinois OHS to perform as home-based child care providers.
• Manage information in the database regarding provider eligibility and/or follow-through in submission of documentation, including the entry of W-9 forms for new providers and billing certificates for providers in the system.
• Manage and review important documentation that is part of the IL OHS system, including: welcome of new providers by letter stating the process of how to become certified and offering TA as needed.

Office Management: NIA

NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Participate in administrative and program meetings, as appropriate.

• Responsible for promoting and educating individuals about all programs and assisting clients in navigating the Child Care Assistance Program 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
• Current knowledge of the field of Early Childhood and of issues relevant to the position, supported by fifteen (15) hours of continuing education in the field annually.
• 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 for member concerns. Demonstrated respect and appreciation for working in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural work environment must be evident. The Client Relations Specialist must be able to work effectively with members who may show stress and impatience.

Professional Training Required: 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: A High School diploma, or GED, is required. An Associate's degree 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 accommodations may be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday- Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.