ADVOCATE COUNSELOR, Supported Employment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and facilitate individualized plan activities that reflect the desire of persons served while ensuring compliance with applicable DDA regulations. Initiates person-centered planning activities and assist persons served to present desired goals and services at annual team meetings or other venues.

• Ensure that services are provided in accordance with the services funding plans (DDA contract with provider agencies).

• Identify and communicate strengths and area of improvement for individuals and possible methods of enhancing strengths and minimizing weaknesses, utilizing progress notes and/or other assessment related tools and/or records.

• Respond to inquiries/requests from persons served, family, caregivers, peers and all other internal and external customers in a timely manner.

• Provide immediate support in crisis intervention in areas such as, but not limited to immediate on-site intervention, problem analysis and initial recommendations.

• Must possess the ability to use independent judgement, leadership skills, and self determination to meet deadlines when managing and developing Efforts to Outcomes documentation (Annual Individual Plans, Goals, Communication logs/visits, attendance logs, as well as trainings staff on the implementation of the yearly plans/services.

1. Provide on-going employment support that includes:

• Identify possible learning barriers.
• Introduce job tasks systematically through the use of task analysis based on individual learning styles.
• Adapt work environment when necessary to promote success.
• Review and reinforce work safety skills with individuals served.
• Record work performance (e.g., progress notes, job coaching form).
• Assist individuals in developing natural supports; socialization/integration skills training.
• Conduct on-the-job training.
• Teach self-management skills to enhance overall independence.

• Analyze job tasks and work environment to ensure appropriate employee support services are received. This includes, but is not limited to, successful facilitation of on-the-job training, and familiarizing oneself of the tasks and work environment before starting retention support services.

• Maximize individuals’ participation in the team process and promote opportunities for persons served to lead their team meetings.

• Ensure individuals’ fundamental rights (COMAR 10.22.04) and satisfactory conclusion to incident reports in a timely manner.

• Attend team meetings as needed; arrange interim team meetings as indicated. Complete post individualized plan development activities within 20 days of the meeting. Develop outcomes, goals, and strategies based upon planning results. Distribute data collection sheets and individualized plan meeting documentation to appropriate personnel.  Ensure and/or provide applicable training for direct support staff.

• Post Individual Plan development activities to be completed within 20 days of the meeting: Develop outcomes, goals, and strategies based upon planning results; Distribution of data collection sheets; Ensure and/or provides applicable training for direct support staff to aid in facilitating individual’s goals; Send Individual Plan meeting documentation to team members as required.

• Develop a working relationship with stakeholders that facilitates program outreach and ensure that the services offered remain relevant to the individuals’ needs and the agency’s mission.

• Develop new employment opportunities in the community for individuals in Employee Support Services while maintaining existing business partnerships.

• Adhere to State of Maryland DDA, CARF and Melwood policies and procedures.

• Act as a liaison to family members/caregivers, external advocates (e.g., DSS Guardians, Resource Coordinators) and other service providers.

• Must possess the ability to analyze individual needs, recommending goals and future Individual specific planning, leadership skills, and self determination to meet deadlines when managing and developing Efforts to Outcomes documentation (Annual Individual Plans, Goals, Communication logs/visits, attendance logs, as well as trainings staff on the implementation of the yearly plans/services

• Actively participate in management team, interdisciplinary and staff meetings.

• Adhere to and further the mission of Melwood by creating a supportive environment for participants and staff.

• May require some night and weekend work.

• Other duties as assigned.

All Function are Essential

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The incumbent is supervised by the Director, Programs.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Must be able to stand or walk 90% of working time.  Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds; must be able to carry up to 30 pounds.  Must be able to speak and to communicate with individuals and the public.  Must possess good vision, depth perception and hearing as driving is a requirement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Special Education or related field and two (2) years’ experience working with the people with differing abilities required.  Must possess excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; previous experience in overseeing direct care staff; Working knowledge of and commitment to self-determination principles; proven ability to foster community integration by building upon peoples’ abilities, desires and dreams.

This position may require use of your personal vehicle to transport persons-served. All Melwood transportation policies must be followed and liability insurance on your personal vehicle must be in full force and effect while transporting for or on the behalf of Melwood. Melwood will reimburse for mileage pursuant to the Travel policy.