Participant Choice Specialist

Description

General Statement of Duties: Under direction of the Program Manager, the Participant Choice Specialist will participate in the assessment of the needs of consumers who are developmentally disabled. As facilitator of the Interdisciplinary (ID) team, the Participant Choice Specialist will develop, implement, and coordinate a program plan for each consumer. The Participant Choice Specialist will project and advocate the legal, civil, and service rights of consumers who are developmentally disabled, and perform related work as required.

Working Condition and Physical Requirement:

• The majority of duties are performed in the office and out in the community.
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel locally and out of town regularly.
• The ability to sit at a workstation for up to 5 hours at a time.
• Frequent standing and walking throughout offices, service provider facilities and other agencies.
• Adequate manual dexterity and coordination to operate standard office equipment (i.e. computer, telephone, fax machine, etc.)
• The ability to read, write and comprehend large amounts of written material such as reports and regulations, use the telephone, and communicate via electronic mail is required on a daily basis.
• Excellent oral and written skills are essential for reports and other documentation.
• The ability to lift, push and pull up to 25 pounds

Key Responsibilities Essential Functions
Will lead the Person- Center Planning session/meeting
Will help develop the person center Individual Program Plan (IPP)
Start Individual Budget process/certify the amount of the Individual Budget by obtaining signatures
Will lead spending plan process and finalize the process by reviewing the spending plan with the circle of supports that may include but are not limited to: Consumer, Family, Financial Management Services provider, Independent Facilitator, etc. and will obtain required signatures
Ensure Consumer/Family is accessing generic resources available to the Consumer
Help the Consumer/Family understand what types of services are eligible for Self-Determination funding
Will be available to answer questions and serve as a guide to whats positive and possible within Self-Determination
Help the Consumer determine how to be healthy, safe, and living to their full potential at home and in their community
Ensure the Consumer is meeting their IPP goals based on their input and service providers reports
Ensure the money from the Consumers Individual Budget is spent as approved in the Individual Program Plan
Will help Consumer if there is a need to change the budget due to an unmet need or a change in current needs (the budget process starts over at this point)
Will help Consumer if there is a need to change the spending plan and will work with circle of supports (the spending plan process may start over at this point/depending on the change)
Will ensure documentation of the Person-Center Plan
Will assist to ensure documentation of the person center Individual Program Plan
Will serve as a guide for Service Coordinators of any Consumer that is successfully transitioned to the SD program and remains on the caseload of their traditional SC.
Will keep monthly tracking report on individuals in the SD program, as deemed appropriate
o The Participant Choice Specialist may have a small caseload. For those consumers, the Participant Choice Specialist will be responsible for all IPP documentation that the traditional SC has in conjunction with everything that needs to be done as part of the Self-Determination process. This also includes all other case management duties as described in the SC job description.

The Participant Choice Specialist will provide on-going community training and staff training about the Self-Determination program. This includes but is not limited to the mandatory Self-Determination orientation, changes/updates in the SD program, changes/updates on VMRCs internal process of the SD program. Trainings at times may be held on weekends.
May/will participate in outreach events
May/will meet with DDS on an on-going basis as deemed appropriate to discuss changes/updates success stories and, barriers of the SD program.
May/will meet with Senior Managers on an on-going basis as deemed appropriate to discuss changes/updates success stories an, barriers of the SD program.
May/will participate in meetings held by the SD Local Advisory Committee
May/will participate in meetings held by the SD State Advisory Committee
May/will be a part of special work groups within the VMRC agency as deemed appropriate

Qualifications

Minimum Position Requirements: Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Human Services or related field and one (1) year related experience, OR Bachelor's degree in a non-human service-related field and three (3) years experience providing training or direct services to persons with developmental disabilities in a setting such as day program, special education, or residential setting OR RN License and two (2) years related experience. All driving positions are required to meet our driver acceptability criteria.

Compensation: $28.94 - $38.78 per hour

VMRC supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for all staff. We have a zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment in our agency.Likewise, Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) is committed to complying with all laws that protect qualified individuals with disabilities.

Salary : $29 - $39