A Social or Human Services Assistant assists with identifying and arranging community services for clients. Works with social workers and other human services professionals. Helps with rehabilitation for people with disabilities or those in recovery, or coordinates home care services for the elderly; may also coordinate housing or job training assistance for immigrants, veterans, former inmates or families in crisis.
Coordinates support services involving case management, outreach, assessment, service linkage, monitoring, advocacy and counseling to individuals with a diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability. Work is performed under general supervision and is guided by agency policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, professional practices and including ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal licensure, Human Rights and accreditation regulations and guidelines. Provides supervision to DDSCs by completing quality assurance, training, and other tasks as needed. Hours of work often are outside the normal workday to accommodate the needs of the individuals supported.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assesses needs to determine the appropriateness for intellectual / developmental disability services and develops individual service plans. Links the individual to services and supports specified in the individual service plan. Assists the individual directly for the purpose of locating, developing or obtaining needed services and resources, including crisis services. Arranges transportation for individuals or their family members to access services. Coordinates services and benefits with the other agencies and providers involved with the individual or their family members. Provides crisis intervention assistance. Provides supportive services to family/significant others. Serves on treatment teams. Advocates on behalf of the individual for appropriate treatment/interventions. Develops community integration opportunities for community living skills and vocational, civic and recreational services. Makes collateral contacts with the parents, guardians, friends, and siblings of the persons served to promote implementation of the services plan and community adjustment. Prepares, submits and verifies authorization to provide service to individuals. Monitors service delivery to assure implementation of the individual service plan and participation in appropriate types and levels of services as well as community integration. Maintains necessary documentation in the Electronic Health Record and other platforms to document the provision of case management services for insurance reimbursement and other purposes. Attends in-service training and staff development programs to enhance the case management services. Reviews and monitors service delivery for compliance and effectiveness to the served individuals. Will supervise Support Coordinators, Conducts quality assurance, utilization review, training, record reviews. Tracks and reports referrals and assignments for information and referral; Statewide Waiver Waiting Lists; and active support coordination. Participates in the intake/admission process of individuals into the (DD) service delivery system including the monitoring of the DD Statewide Waiver Waiting List. Assists with case coverage when there are staff vacancies Performs related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
(1) The definition and causes of developmental disability and best practices in supporting individuals who have developmental disabilities; (2) Treatment modalities and intervention techniques, such as positive behavioral supports, person-centered practices, independent living skills, training, community inclusion/employment training, supportive guidance, family education, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and service coordination; (3) Different types of assessments and their uses in determining the specific needs of the individual with respect to his ISP; (4) Individuals' human and civil rights; (5) Local service delivery systems, including support services; (6) Types of programs and services that support individuals with developmental disabilities; (7) Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication principles and techniques; (8) General principles of documentation; and (9) The service planning process and the major components of the ISP.
Skills in:
(1) Interviewing; (2) Negotiating with individuals and service providers; (3) Observing recording, and reporting and documenting an individual's behaviors; (4) Identifying and documenting an individual's needs for resources, services, and other assistance; (5) Identifying services within the established service system to meet the individual's needs and preferences; (6) Coordinating the provision of services by diverse public and private providers and generic and natural supports; (7) Analyzing and planning for the service needs of individuals with developmental disability; (8) Formulating, writing, and implementing individual-specific support plans promote goal attainment for recipients with developmental disabilities designed to facilitate attainment of the individual's unique goals for a meaningful, quality life; and (9) Using information from assessments, evaluations, observations, and interviews to develop and revise as needed individual support plans tools (e.g., to ensure the ISP is implemented appropriately, identify change in status, or to determine risk of crisis/hospitalization).
Abilities to:
(1) Demonstrate a positive regard for individuals and their families (e.g., allowing risk taking, avoiding stereotypes of people with developmental disabilities, respecting individual and family privacy, believing individuals can grow and contribute to their community); (2) Be persistent and remain objective; (3) Work as a team member, maintaining effective interagency and intra-agency working relationships; (4) Work independently, performing position duties under general supervision; (5) Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; and (6) Establish and maintain ongoing supportive relationships.
TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Bachelor's Degree in a behavioral health field or equivalent combination of education and experience One year experience providing services for individuals with a diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability
PREFERRED
Some program management experience Supervisory experience Two years of experience as a developmental services support coordinator
LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Valid Virginia driver's license
PREFERRED
None
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXPOSURE
Work involves considerable exposure to disagreeable environmental conditions such as the requirement to provide services and transport participants inclement, if not severe weather; unsanitary spaces, poor hygiene and contagious illness of program participants/family members and interacting with potential hostile individuals and their families; may be required to physically assist program participants; is occasionally interrupted during off-hours with stressful or emergent calls.
