Caseworker (Child Care Subsidy)

**Our Story**:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

**The Role**:
Determines and authorizes eligibility for child care subsidy, with emphasis on children’s best interest. Approves payments to early learning and child care programs. Advises parents regarding options. Maintains a client caseload to ensure ongoing eligibility.

**Duties/Responsibilities**:
Determines child care subsidy eligibility based on established criteria. Interviews applicants/clients to explain legislation/regulations, policies, and obtain information; investigates related eligibility criteria (e.g., financial information, immigration status, custody issues, employment, school). Exchanges information with community agencies, physicians, lawyers, educational institutions, crisis shelters, and employers to support eligibility determination.
Advises applicants of decisions, including ineligibility, repayments, and the appeal process, and early learning and child care options. Informs clients regarding their rights and responsibilities.
Authorizes initial and ongoing subsidy, including rate of care and payments. Completes client files, including supporting documentation; confirms child care placements with programs and inputs to system.
Determines and authorizes eligibility for self-employed applicants. Reviews business plans and financial information (e.g., tax returns, income verification) to determine initial and ongoing eligibility. Consults with Financial Analyst as required.
Updates and maintains client files (hard copy, Provincial database) to determine ongoing subsidy, record notes, and run monthly reports. Calculates income adjustments, as needed. Calculates repayments to recover monies owed to the Region.
Provides subsidy and program information to clients, and presents to community groups/public.
Participates in case management meetings with agencies and families in support of placements for children with special needs.
Maintains an ongoing caseload by updating records/files with changes impacting subsidy (e.g., employment, income, address, school). Tracks and follows up with clients for documents to verify eligibility, and establishes timelines for same.
Responds to and resolves subsidy issues, per guidelines and in children’s best interest. Consults with supervisor and others as required (e.g., special cases, legislation, policy interpretation).
Liaises with other staff (e.g., home child care, employment and income support, public health) to provide information/referrals and exchange client information. Approves eligible hours of child care for Ontario Works participants.
Investigates reports and indicators of system abuse and consults with management. Reviews billings to confirm accurate invoicing against subsidy eligibility (hours, rates, days). Documents, calculates, and completes adjustments, including overpayments for supervisor approval.
Establishes monthly schedule for client appointments, including annual client reviews, per program guidelines. Enters information into scheduling software.
Participates in staff meetings and team initiatives, including policy/procedure development/revision.
Reports suspected child abuse/neglect, per legislation.
Performs related duties as assigned.

**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required**:
Knowledge of interviewing techniques, early learning and child care, assessment/eligibility practices, administrative policies and procedures, and casework management, acquired through a 2-year college diploma/degree in a related field (e.g., early childhood education, social science), plus 2 years of related experience in a social services or child and family environment.
Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, program guidelines, and legislation (e.g., child care and early years). Understanding of local community agencies/services and social work issues and practices.
Analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills to establish monthly schedules, work independently, assess/determine applicant subsidy, complete financial assessments, perform calculations, and maintain accurate, complete documentation.
Communication and human relations skills to interview applicants to gather information; explain the program (directly or through certified interpreters) to applicants/clients, including their rights and responsibilities to ensure understanding;