SPECIAL NEEDS ADVOCATE

Special Needs Advocate

SUMMARY

Under direct supervision of the Social Services Administrator, the Special Needs Advocate is responsible for administering the Advocacy Program services.

The Special Needs Advocate’s role is to educate, guide, and coach parents to become their own advocate for their child’s special needs services, relevant to community support, ESE programs and IEP development, public benefits, and more.

The incumbent is to focus on the development and expansion of the program through marketing in order to grow client caseload.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Social Sciences, Education or, equivalent combination of education and related experience working in the education advocacy field and/or with persons with disabilities.

Minimum of one year of experience working with children with special needs. Knowledge of special education law, the ADA and the processes that govern special education proceedings preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Florida Driver's License
First Aid/CPR Certification,

BA or Related Experience

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Inform parents/guardians of their child’s rights and suggest appropriate special education services and programs to meet their needs
2. Facilitate understanding of the child’s educational needs by explaining reports in plain/ native language to families and educators
3. Help families prepare for IEP meetings, including considering goals, reviewing evidence and materials, and help develop strategies
4. Review special education and section 504 documents, including student files, evaluation assessment reports, IEPs and Section 504 Plans
5. Accompany parents to IEP, Section 504, and other school meetings and provide advice and assistance as needed throughout the process
6. Work with parents to get their concerns heard by the district and help resolve disputes that may arise
7. Educates oneself on relevant resources, benefits, support services, educational plans, programs, and trainings in the community and utilizes this information to educate parents of children with special needs
8. Promote community and institutional advancement by representing the rights, desires and interests of individuals with developmental disabilities with the community, educational institutions, and/or other relevant agencies and service providers.
9. Assists Social Services Administrator with network within the special needs community and community outreach to market program, establish and maintain relationships with community partners, and recruit clients
10. Maintains accurate case notes on services delivered, develops service plans with parents, and tracks and submits monthly billing
11. Assures that the program is in compliance with contractual requirements, utilization of program units, funding, Company policies and procedures and all applicable state and federal laws.
12. Collaborates with Social Services team members from other programs and departments to cross refer clients and ensure clients are benefitting from all relevant BCC programs
13. Assist clients to access appropriate benefits and basic needs; appropriate medical, mental health and substance use treatment providers
14. Provide crisis intervention for immediate housing needs, medical, mental health and substance use issues
15. Assists with the development, implementation, and administration of the Advocacy Program.
16. Assist with any community inquiries on all agency services, client referrals to community resources, and represent the program at occasional community events and/or presentations
17. Maintains appropriate records and reporting for the Advocacy Program.
18. Seeks guidance from the Social Services Administrator when appropriate.
19. Attend all Social Services Department in-service training and community workshops/seminars when needed.
20. Flexibility of working hours will be required to meet the child and family’s needs which include evening (2-3 per week) and weekend hours as needed
21. Other duties may be assigned.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively to clients or employees of organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

My signature below indicates I have received a copy of my job description and have read and understand the functions of this position and can perform the required duties and responsibilities as well as meet the physical demands of the job.

Print Name: ______________________________

Signature: _______________________________

Date: ___________________________________