Financial Management Service (FMS) Lead Coordinator

Position Overview:

The FMS Lead Coordinator oversees the Financial Management Service operations supporting participants in the California Self-Determination Program. The role ensures compliance with DDS and regional center regulations, provides leadership to FMS staff, and serves as the main liaison to regional centers. The Coordinator is also responsible for outreach, community engagement, travel to regional centers and advocacy organizations, and program education statewide.

Key Responsibilities:

Participant & Family Support:

• Serve as the primary contact for escalated participant concerns and complex case issues.
• Support participants, families, and independent facilitators in understanding FMS responsibilities, spending plan development, and allowable expenditures.
• Manage participant onboarding, employer setup, and implementation of budgets and Spending Plans.

Outreach, Program Education & Community Engagement:

• Lead outreach efforts to educate the public, service providers, advocacy groups, and community organizations about the Self-Determination Program and FMS role.
• Develop and conduct program education sessions, orientations, trainings, webinars, and workshops.
• Create educational materials such as guides, FAQs, videos, and presentations for various audiences.
• Participate in community fairs, disability advocacy events, and provider expos to educate families and promote the Self-Determination Program.
• Represent the organization at public events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Travel & External Relations:

• Travel regularly to Regional Centers to participate in meetings, consultations, orientations, and program implementation discussions.
• Conduct in-person education and outreach visits with advocacy organizations (e.g., Autism Society, Disability Rights groups, Family Resource Centers).
• Provide on-site presentations and technical assistance to provider groups, community partners, and service agencies .
• Attend community fairs, vendor fairs, outreach events, and specialized trainings to promote awareness and provide program education.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with regional center staff, advocacy groups, and community providers.

Regional Center Liaison & Program Implementation:

• Serve as the lead point of contact for regional center staff on FMS procedures, participant budgets, compliance requirements, and program updates.
• Coordinate implementation of regional center directives, policy updates, and DDS statewide program changes.
• Participate in workgroups and policy discussions to support program improvements and resolve systemic issues.
• Ensure timely communication of policy changes to the internal FMS team, participants, and independent facilitators.

Budget & Spending Plan Management:

• Review and validate Spending Plans to ensure alignment with approved budgets and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor participant budgets, identify spending risks, and coordinate adjustments with regional centers.
• Collaborate with participants and independent facilitators to revise plans as needed.

Employer-of-Record (EOR) & HR Support:

• Assist participants serving as Employers-of-Record with hiring, onboarding, timesheet management, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws, payroll requirements, and workers’ compensation rules.

Payment, Fiscal Processing & Documentation:

• Oversee payroll, vendor payments, reimbursements, and mileage or invoice submissions.
• Ensure documentation is complete, compliant, and audit-ready.
• Resolve payment discrepancies and vendor issues.

Compliance, Reporting & Audit Readiness:

• Ensure compliance with DDS requirements, regional center policies, HCBS standards, and FMS regulations.
• Conduct internal audits of participant files, payroll records, and fiscal transactions.
• Prepare reports for leadership, regional centers, and oversight agencies.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Provide direction, training, and mentoring to FMS Coordinators and Specialists.
• Support development of workflows, SOPs, and quality assurance procedures.
• Lead internal meetings and ensure consistent and accurate service delivery.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Services, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 3 years of experience in disability services, SDP, FMS operations, or regional center systems.
• Experience conducting trainings, outreach events, or community education.
• Strong understanding of DDS regulations, the Self-Determination Program, and HCBS Waiver requirements.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel consistently to regional centers, advocacy organizations, and community events.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory or team lead experience.
• Experience presenting at public events or conducting educational workshops.
• Knowledge of payroll, fiscal systems, or HR compliance.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish, Tagalog, etc.) strongly preferred.

Core Competencies:

• Leadership & Coordination.
• Public Speaking & Outreach.
• Relationship Building & Collaboration.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking.
• Fiscal & Regulatory Compliance.
• Communication Excellence.
• Community and Participant-Centered Service.

Work Environment:

• Hybrid or remote based on organizational needs.
• Regular travel to regional centers, advocacy organizations, community fairs, and outreach events is required.
• Frequent collaboration with families, independent facilitators, regional center staff, and community partners.

Job Type: Full-time, Salaried.

Salary depending on qualification.

Therapy Research Autism Center (TRAC) is an in-home ABA agency located in Michigan dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families through high-quality behavioral therapy.