Child Care Services Contract Specialist

The Child Care Services Contract Specialist, under the direction of the Child Care Services and Contract Coordinator, is responsible for daily operational and administrative activities of the full day/full year and extended day component of Head Start and Children’s Services funded through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). This includes ensuring, in conjunction with the Child Care Services Contract Coordinator, that all Head Start and Child Care programs understand, implement, and maintain compliance with all applicable performance standards, including but not limited to, policies and procedures dictated by ABCD, Head Start, EEC, and the Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR & R’s). This person, under the Child Care Services Contract Coordinator, will work with other local and central staff, as well as state agencies to ensure and promote strong practices and systems related to full day childcare services.

The Child Care Services Contract Specialist is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community.

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures.

All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide information, technical assistance, training and support to Head Start programs around eligibility, billing and performance standards related to Head Start, extended day care, availability of vouchers, and contracts for full childcare.
• Create and maintain reports for central and local programs.
• Interface with CCCB personnel, and local Head Start staff for the timely invoicing of voucher review and billing of childcare subsidies.
• Input data and information into waitlist and billing databases.
• Assist with training necessary in the EEC Policy Users Group to ensure programs, and within the programs, the staff responsible for EEC regulations are following mandated regulations.
• Conduct periodic reviews of local programs’ files for conformance and adherence to all applicable state and federal regulations
• Work collaboratively with other central fiscal staff of maximizing revenue, technical assistance, and help on review teams, and other necessary services to ensure all programs are meeting the best possible service level for our clients.
• Support the efforts of the Child Care Services Contract Coordinator to create the monthly summaries of all vouchers and contract billing and parent fee collection.
• Collect and monitor documents and fiscal paperwork for client eligibility for childcare, from local staff responsible for child care at the Head Start centers.
• Perform other duties as assigned from time to time.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills that will enable candidate to work with internal as well as external resources to ABCD.
• Very knowledgeable with various computer programs that will help in the support of all Head Start and Child Care programs.
• Must have sensitivity to individuals from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required and one to three years of demonstrated experience working with contract management, or financial practices and policies, and other administrated procedures. Coursework related to business management or related field desired.

About Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., (ABCD):

ABCD is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides more than 100,000 low income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.To fulfill this purpose, ABCD uses a comprehensive approach that systematically addresses the range of barriers faced by households in poverty, from day-to-day crises to long-term needs for jobs and education.