Promising Practice Coordinators (Closes 3/31/2025)

We are welcoming applicants for our Allegheny County DHS, Office of Development Supports (ODS) Promising Practice Coordinator openings. ODS is responsible for registering eligible Allegheny County residents with Intellectual Disability (ID), Autism, Developmental Disability (DD) prior to age 9 and Medically Complex Condition (MCC) prior to age 22 and connecting them to Supports Coordination.

Our Promising Practice Coordinators, are professional positions within the Office of Developmental Supports (ODS), Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS).  These positions are responsible for facilitating productive, action-oriented meetings, collaborating with other professionals, family members, Office of Developmental Program (ODP) Providers, and community members, as well as performing Administrative Entity functions related to Individual Support Plan (ISP) management.  The Promising Practice Coordinators are independent, organized, motivated, and empathetic employees who bring a robust knowledge of human services systems within Allegheny County, and are recognized leaders in their field, consistently advocating for the rights of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ID)/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Promising Practice Coordinators focus on educating others in the use of evidence-based practices that enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and their families, and work to develop services using the LifeCourse Framework that reflect our Every Day Lives: Values in Action and Self-Determination philosophy. 

These roles do require some travel to family/individual homes or other community locations for visits. Flexible hours may be required. Travel within and outside the county is also required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Transition Coordinator


• Facilitates planning meetings and assists in assessing the needs of individuals with complex/multi-system needs.


• Collaborates with clinical treatment teams to ensure smooth transitions back into the community as well as access to outpatient treatment that meets the individual’s needs.


• Participates in Integration and Teaming meetings, collaborating with DHS partners to problem solve and develop creative support options.


• Participates in planning activities related to Waiver Capacity Management.


• Understands and utilizes Trauma Informed Care principles to guide planning activities.


• Understands and utilizes functional behavioral assessment (FBA) principles to guide planning activities.


• Understands and utilizes Community of Practice LifeCourse framework and tools as appropriate.


• Participates in internal complex case reviews utilizing information from Client Information System (CIS), Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and internal ODS records.


• Collaborates with ODP related to Complex Case Reviews.


• Provides resource information and support to Service Coordination Units.

• Service Development


• Stays informed related to Biographical Timelines and their function in supporting teams.


• Stays informed related to creative therapies such as music, art, and equine.


• Creates relationships with organizations in the community.


• Utilizes knowledge of existing resources and assists in locating new available resources.


• Assists Promising Practice Supervisor in developing capacity for new and/or existing services.

• General


• ISP Management related to service definitions, authorizations, and advanced notification.


• Participates in local, regional and national Professional Development/Dual Diagnosis opportunities.


• Participates in Planning Team Meeting meetings as determined.


• Implements Standards of Practice, Policies and other criteria based on county, state and/or federal regulation.


• Participates in on-going training regarding changes in the Home and Community Service Information System (HCSIS).


• Assures that the individual and family receive accurate information regarding the various ODS services/providers.


• Assures that individual and family are apprised of their rights regarding appeals process; these include county conference, mediation, and Fair Hearing.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.  

Additional Responsibilities

From time to time the employee will be required to perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.


• Excellent organizational, problem solving and analytical skills.


• Strong knowledge of the ID, Adult and Children’s Mental Health service delivery systems, systems theory, and provider delivery systems.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, community agencies, providers, project partners and stakeholders.


• Knowledge of ID/Autism Eligibility criteria.


• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Internet research methods.

Education/Experience Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or related field, plus 1 year of practical experience.

-OR-

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, plus at least 3 years of experience in an MH/ID setting.

-OR-

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.

-AND-

Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.

Why DHS?

At Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), our mission is to improve the welfare of the County’s most vulnerable residents. Over the past 20 years, we have built a national reputation for being on the cutting edge of state and local governments using analytics and technology to deliver more effective and efficient public services. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.