Community Advisor

Dynamic Diversity – Caring Collaboration – Individual Integrity – Community Connection

Community Advisor

Part Time

New Haven, CT, US

Requisition ID: 1542

Salary Range: $ 20.25 Hourly

Schedule: 10hours/wk., 9am-2pm two days per week with some flexibility to meet the needs of the student and staff

Chapel Haven Schleifer Center is an award-winning nonprofit company devoted to empowering adults with disabilities to live independent and self-determined lives. We believe self-advocacy supports the growth of our individuals and collaborate with them to create services that foster independence. In 2022, we celebrated 50 years of excellence in the field of disabilities and continue our dedication to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you share our core values of dynamic diversity, caring collaboration, individual integrity, and community connection, we want to hear from you!

Why consider a career at CHSC?

• We offer a full benefits package, including paid time off and tuition reimbursement.
• A culture committed to community and compassion.
• A friendly and caring environment that is professional but warm, with room to advance.
• Staff longevity – 50% of our staff have been with us 5 years, many of whom started in entry-level roles that have developed into fulfilling careers lasting 10 years.
• The opportunity to do meaningful work that enriches the lives of others.

The Role:

The Community Advisor is responsible for assisting clients (Community Members and DSS Clients) as they implement their yearly goals and objectives. Community Advisor provides advocacy, case management, and life skills instruction. Community Advisors enable clients to achieve and maintain an independent lifestyle in accordance with their capabilities.

Essential Responsibilities:

Direct Support of Community Members

• Plan, prepare for and schedule annual reviews. Assist community members in drafting annual individualized care and goals plan based on annual assessment, reports from other providers, and the community member’s personal goals. Assist client with any changes determined in the annual meeting.
• Meet with Community Member for the number of hours per week/month as agreed upon with family. Maintain communication with family and other professionals as determined by annual meetings.
• Work with Community members to establish and maintain weekly schedule to assure structure in daily living. Assure that all appointments with Support Coordinator, Physicians, Employers, and Therapists etc. are on schedule.
• Provide transportation of clients as needed, use of own vehicle required.
• Work with Community Member to ensure the carry over and expansion of independent living skills including, meal planning Financial Management, Home maintenance, Hygiene.
• Teach interpersonal communication, social and care skills to develop or maintain healthy relationships with family, roommates, friends and colleagues. Assist and/or provide guidance in negotiation skills, settling of disputes.
• Provide support in all aspects of seeking, securing and maintaining employment. This may include on-site job coaching, communication with employers as needed and other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Coordinate services from local, state and federal and private agencies, programs and services ensuring that community members receive appropriate services in a timely and respectful manner.

Administration

• Collect and maintain accurate and timely case records, relief notes and other data as required: Schedule in Outlook Calendar; current relief notes, case notes, reports due to DSS, DORS, SSA and other agencies.
• Attend agency, program and staff development meetings as required.
• Represent Chapel Haven at community meetings and case review meetings.

DSS Autism Program Clients

• Meet with DSS clients for the number of hours per week/month as agreed upon and as reflected in the DSS contract.
• Maintain communication with family, Director of ASAT Program, and other professionals as determined by DSS contract.
• Complete all paperwork as required by DSS and submit it to the Director of ASAT Program monthly.
• Track and submit all billable hours to Chapel Haven Accounting Department at the end of every month.
• Provide assistance with community awareness/access, such as assisting with utilizing public transportation, planning community leisure activities, utilizing local vendors/business, etc.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client file(s).
• Assist and/or provide guidance/training in negotiation skills, problem solving skills, self- determination skills and job development skills.
• Represent Chapel Haven at community meetings and DSS meetings.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field preferred, and two years’ experience working with adults with autism spectrum disorders.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Cultural sensitivity and proven ability to work with diverse populations.
• Excellent oral and written skills. Computer literacy.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Valid CT driver’s license
• Knowledge of the greater New Haven area.
• Ability to stand, sit and walk for periods of time.
• Must have own vehicle.

Do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, LGBTQ , and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at Chapel Haven!

Dynamic Diversity – Caring Collaboration – Individual Integrity – Community Connection