3.1 - Staffing Qualifications

All case managers must be enrolled in the Family Case Management training provided by the Springfield Urban League within 3 months of working in Family Case Management and can be required to attend the training again at any time during their work with MCH Programs as required by the MCH Nurse Consultant or Agency MCH Coordinator.

3.1.1 - Case Manager

The case manager must meet one of the following qualifications:

1. A registered professional nurse licensed pursuant to Section 12 of the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65] and
   1. two years' experience in community health or maternal and child health nursing, or
   2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree from a recognized or accredited program and one year of experience in community health or maternal and child health nursing, or
   3. supervision by a registered professional nurse, licensed social worker, or licensed clinical social worker with the length of experience described herein, until the case manager obtains the length of experience required in subsection A(a) or A(b) of this Section.
2. A clinical social worker licensed pursuant to Section 9 or social worker licensed pursuant to Section 9A of the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act [225 ILCS 20] and 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470 and:
   1. one year of experience in providing direct services to families with young children in a professional setting, or
   2. supervision by a registered professional nurse, licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker with the length of experience described herein until the case manager obtains the length of experience required in subsection A(a) of this Section.
3. Possess a master's degree or baccalaureate degree in a behavioral science, social science, or health-related area; or a baccalaureate degree in any other area and one year of experience in providing direct professional child, family, or community services; or an associate degree and two years' experience in providing direct professional child, family, or community services. Case managers meeting only this qualification must be supervised by an appropriate case manager meeting the requirements of subsection A or B of this Section until they have a total of two years of supervised case management experience.

3.1.2 - Program Coordinator

The MCH Coordinator is responsible for the overall administration of the program to assure compliance with all State policies and Federal regulations. Responsibilities may include:

1. Supervision, evaluation, and direction of MCH staff by ensuring that staff at all levels are competent to complete job specific duties when providing MCH program services.
2. Serve as the Local Agency liaison to State MCH Staff by:
   1. Providing communication regarding local agency questions, concerns, and any agency specific activities impacting the MCH Program
   2. Participating in State and Regional MCH conference calls and meetings
   3. Communicating to staff MCH Program updates and reinforcement of program requirements
3. Determine staff training needs and coordinate education opportunities.
4. Conduct Quality Assurance activities and monitor the following areas and identify improvement needs.
   1. Daily Clinic Operations
   2. MCH Reports
   3. Perinatal Education
   4. Agency Policy & Procedure
5. Attend professional conferences, seminars, workshops to update staff on current MCH practices and other information relevant to MCH.
6. Identify and collaborate with local Agencies and other community partners.
7. Manage assigned caseload per IDHS Grant Agreement.
8. Maintain oversight controls and records
9. Ensure employee compliance and program integrity.

3.1.3 - Case Manager Assistants & Frontline/Clerical Staff

Paraprofessionals and lay workers may be used to perform some case management functions under the supervision of the case manager. These functions may include:

1. Intake, follow-up with clients or Agencies to ensure that participants are accessing needed services
2. Provision of support and assistance that clients may require to access services
3. Conducting outreach activities
4. Maintaining client files and clinic schedule
5. Scheduling of appointments and follow-up on missed / upcoming appointments
6. Managing client correspondence