AGING PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

DEFINITION

This is mid-level consultative work for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in developing, coordinating, monitoring or implementing programs and services for senior citizens.

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills or abilities associated with this classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team consulting with Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) for the purpose of providing technical assistance in planning, developing, implementing and monitoring services for senior citizens.

Reviews, with other team members, AAA annual plans for services and funding based on assessments of the appropriateness of services, feasibility of funding plan, and compliance with the Older Americans Act regulations, division policies and procedures.

Monitors AAA's through on-site visits to determine compliance with federal and state regulations, policies and procedures; and to provide technical assistance in program planning, development and implementation.

Develops policies and procedures applying to Title XX and Social Service Block Grant (SSBG) in-home services providers or adult protective services and case management.

Plans, schedules and conducts monitoring of statewide Title XX and SSBG in-home services providers, investigates client complaints of in-home services providers on a statewide basis and compiles necessary data and information to ascertain degree of compliance with state and federal regulations.

Devises, develops, and uses monitoring instruments and processes for statewide compliance evaluation of Title XX and SSBG in-home service providers.

Prepares necessary correspondence, reports, summaries, statistics, data processing requests or other communications needed in operation of the Central Registry Unit.

Participates in meetings, task forces, conferences and training.

Applies findings from the statewide needs assessment to help plan and implement the Department's and the aging network's program development and service delivery to the state's minority elderly.

Makes recommendations to the AAA's with regard to promoting and encouraging minority participation in Older Americans Act mandated services.

Consults directly with AAA's to develop programs to facilitate outreach to elderly minority population or serving as a legislative assistant to identify and track pending aging related legislation.

Identifies the home and community long term care needs of elderly minorities and their problems in participating in services.

Identifies grant and foundation resources for the Division and the AAA's and serves on task forces and committees.

Receives general administrative direction.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Intermediate knowledge of the social, economic and health problems impacting the elderly.

Intermediate knowledge of federal, state and local programs and services for senior citizens.

Intermediate knowledge of community services organizations, especially those which provide services to senior citizens.

Intermediate knowledge of the methods and techniques of program planning, implementation and monitoring.

Ability to review and analyze program and financial data and make appropriate decisions.

Ability to interpret and apply federal and state regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively with groups and individuals.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, area agency staff, community groups and others.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

(The following requirements will determine merit system eligibility, experience and education ratings, and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers. When practical and possible, the Division of Personnel will accept substitution of experience and education on a year-for-year basis.)

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Gerontology, Public or Business Administration, Health Services Management, Human Development and Family Studies, Community Planning and Development, Education, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Pre-Medical, Pre-Law or a closely related field; and,

Three or more years of experience in social services program design, implementation, or evaluation and policy development of state or federal programs targeted to the elderly or mentally and/or physically disabled; or working with an Area Agency on Aging.

(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute for one year of the required general experience. A Master's degree in the specified areas from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of the required experience.)

(Minor Revision 2/8/06)