Title IV-E Compliance and Eligibility Director

At SSA, we passionately believe that every child deserves to thrive in safe and nurturing homes. Families are the cornerstone of caring for the well-being of children, and vulnerable adults deserve to be safe and have the ability to age in place when able. We recognize that community engagement is paramount for ensuring the safety of children and providing essential support to families. Our commitment is measured in outcomes, and we aim for effectiveness in every aspect of human services.

The primary purpose of the position is to oversee the Title IV-E Determination Unit, which is charged with statewide development and implementation of Maryland's Title IV-E program to maximize Federal Financial Participation (FFP) in maintenance and assistance payments and administrative costs incurred on behalf of eligible children. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHMH) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) reimburses states for the costs of services provided to eligible children and families. 

This position is essential to achieve the Department of Human Services’ mission to maximize federal funding by providing leadership in fiscal matters and empowering the central office, Local Departments of Social Services and community partners to deliver the most effective and efficient services to our customers.  

Program Management Leadership and Management

·       Directs the Title IV-E eligibility determination process.

·       Provides oversight for all Title IV-E staff as well as personnel management and development.

·       Develops and oversees Title IV-E training modules for staff in consultation with the training units of the local departments and the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Budget and Evaluation

·       Responsible for Title IV-E funding, including allocations, contracts, and claiming.            

·       Analyzes official grant accounting records and reviews budget projections to ensure the federal funds awarded by the federal government are sufficient to cover expenditures.         

·       Maintains Maryland’s Status as a Title IV-E State by providing required compliance with federal regulatory and reporting requirements for Title IV-E State Plan thus qualifying Maryland for all Title IV associated federal funding and reimbursements.

Auditing     

·       Coordinates annual federally required Independent Single Audit of federal programs for Title IV-E.    

·       Trains new auditors each year on essentials of Title IV-E for State of Maryland.             

·       Coordinates Title IV-E aspect of DHS and State audits of local departments of social services annually according to schedule.     

Stakeholders            

·       Provides administrative and policy direction to Department of Juvenile Services Title IV-E Unit as the Title IV-E agency of the State of Maryland.               

Program Planning and Development

·       Plans, develops, initiates, reviews, and assesses strategies to ensure the Title IV-E Determination Unit properly meets the challenges of SSA mission by providing appropriate direction and leadership to internal and external partners.      

·       Develops, assesses, and revises policies, practices, procedures and regulation to reflect nationally recognized practice, State and federal law and regulations and to meet changes in State and federal law and regulations.

Legislative Responsibilities  

·       Provides written analyses of proposed legislation impacting IV-E attainment and related subject areas.    

·       Represents the Department, in general, and the IV-E Unit, in particular, in various public areas, e.g., television, radio, interagency committees (local and national).