Subject-Matter Lead – Tennessee

Company: CareStar, Inc.
Location:  Tennessee
Job Type: Full-time
Industry: Healthcare / Social Services / Case Management

About the Opportunity at CareStar

Founded in 1988 in Cincinnati, Ohio, CareStar, Inc. is a recognized leader in long-term care case management and population health. With a mission to Improve Communities by Improving Lives, we proudly serve individuals across Ohio through compassionate, high-quality care coordination. We are currently seeking a Subject-Matter Lead to join our Tennessee Child Welfare program. This is a meaningful opportunity for professionals who are passionate about helping others live healthier, more independent lives. As a Subject-Matter Lead, you’ll be CareStar's resident authority on Tennessee Department of Children's Services policy, court practice and Independent Living operations for young adults who have aged out of foster care. The Lead validates every Tennessee-specific procedure before it goes live, builds and delivers the training that makes a statewide Case Manager workforce Tennessee-fluent, advises on legally complex and eligibility-sensitive cases and holds working alignment with DCS regional personnel, juvenile courts, Foster Care Review Boards and Community partners. You’ll be part of a mission-driven team that values your expertise, supports your growth, and empowers you to make a real difference in your community.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the final internal authority on DCS Policy 16.51, Independent Living and Transition Planning, the Independent Living and Transition Planning Guide and DCS Policy 16.52, Bright Futures Program for Young Adults.

• Review and approve every Tennessee-specific policy, procedure, workflow, form and training module before implementation. Nothing that touches Tennessee practice goes live without this approval.

• Monitor DCS policy changes, legislative changes and practice guidance, and drive the resulting updates through training, workflow and documentation within a defined turnaround.

• Advise on eligibility determinations, adverse actions and written notices, including the detailed-reason and certified-mail requirements, before issuance.

• Advise Case Managers and Supervisors on Legal Referrals, Best Interest Findings, Annual Reasonable Efforts Findings, Permanency Plan Reviews, Foster Care Review Boards and Court Reviews.

• Establish and maintain the court readiness standard: What gets filed, when, by whom, what documentation the court expects and how each hearing and order is recorded in the State Electronic Record System.

• Design and deliver the Bright Futures training curriculum covering DCS policy, court and permanency practice, Transition Planning, eligibility verification, the CANS Assessment, the Life Skills 2.0 Assessment, documentation standards and Community resource navigation.

• Own the competency gate. No Case Manager receives an independent caseload until the Lead confirms Tennessee policy and practice competency.

• Partner with Quality and Compliance on case-record audits, identifying where practice drifts from Tennessee standards and driving corrective action.

• Maintain working alignment with DCS regional personnel and Central Office Independent Living staff so CareStar practice and State expectation stay matched.

• Adheres to the CareStar Rule in performance of job responsibilities.

• Understands and complies with CareStar Policies and Procedures.

• Maintains confidentiality as related to patient information. Any disclosures of confidential information made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offense.

• Follows the Acceptable Use Policy while using any information systems owned or controlled by CareStar, Inc.
  
  Minimum Qualifications
  
  Bachelor's degree in social work or a related social science field. Master's degree preferred.

• A minimum of five years in Tennessee child welfare, with direct responsibility for Extension of Foster Care Services, Bright Futures or Independent Living. Tennessee DCS employment, current or recent, or equivalent leadership at a Tennessee child welfare provider.

• Active within the Tennessee child welfare system within the last three years. Policy fluency goes stale, and the first training cohort exposes it.

• Working command of DCS Policy 16.51 and the Independent Living and Transition Planning Guide without reference to the manual.

• Demonstrated court practice across Best Interest Findings, Annual Reasonable Efforts Findings, Permanency Plan Reviews and Foster Care Review Boards, including how those proceedings actually run in Tennessee juvenile courts.

• Fluency with the Tennessee CANS Assessment. Familiarity with Life Skills 2.0 or the Casey Life Skills instrument family.

• Documented training, supervision or curriculum development experience. This role teaches for a living.

• Proficiency with the State Electronic Record System used by DCS for case documentation.

• Valid Tennessee driver's license, reliable transportation and the ability to travel statewide.

• Ability to pass a criminal background check and fingerprinting as required for work with this population.
  
  Why Join CareStar?
  

• Competitive salary based on experience and education

• Comprehensive benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance

• 401(k) with a generous company match

• Paid time off + 10 paid holidays

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – become a part-owner in the company

• Supportive, mission-driven culture focused on improving lives

Apply Today

Ready to make a difference? Visit https://www.carestar.com/about-carestar/careers/ to apply and learn more about joining our team.