Opportunities, Inc. seeks to ensure that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are provided chances to build a broad range of skills, gain new knowledge, interact with their community, and, most importantly, be provided a variety of inclusive opportunities within the communities where they work, recreate, and live. We provide excellence in vocational, social, and adaptive skill development to help adults with disabilities achieve their fullest potential for independence and self-confidence.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Support Coordinator is responsible for a caseload of between 25-30 people supported by Opportunities, Inc., and is the main point of contact for all people assigned. This position is supervised by a Program Manager and handles the coordination of information related to day to-day services with staff, people supported, CCSs, Community Providers, and any other team members for people supported. This position is responsible for the process of creating robust Person-Centered Plans(PCP) for people on the caseload. This includes ensuring that PCPs remain in compliance with State requirements and regularly communicating with team members regarding the strengths, needs, preferences, and desires of people in services. The Support Coordinator is expected to be knowledgeable regarding services offered through the Community Pathways Waiver and the Community Supports Waiver, particularly those services offered by Opportunities, Inc. This position is also responsible for the general coordination of services, ensuring that current PCP goals are known and implemented by Direct Support Staff, and that any additional items related to service needs are communicated with needed support staff.
Office Location: Remote Hybrid, Gaithersburg
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Salary: $60,000 annually
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Act as the primary point of contact for people in services and/or parents, Coordinators of Community Services, other Provider Agencies, etc. of assigned people supported by Opportunities Inc.
- Engage in regular collaboration with Community Support Professionals and Employment Specialists to review information related to people served and ensure service delivery focuses on how best to support people with the achievement of goals and outcomes.
- Engage in face-to-face meetings with assigned people to gather feedback about service provision and collaborate around any new needs for support. Meetings should average no less than one face-to-face meeting per month.
- As necessary, provide back-up/coverage to direct support staff by providing face-to-face support that assist people in Opportunities Inc.’s services with community life engagement, while still maintaining and prioritizing regular duties. This includes the need to provide any transportation services needed for programming.
- Engage in regular visits and/or communication with employers of assigned people, ensuring that the needs of employed people are met.
- Communicate and coordinate with direct support staff to share pertinent information that ensures all needs related to services are addressed.
- Assist direct support staff with schedule creation through sharing of information and resources related to goals, needs, strengths, preferences, or desires of assigned people.
- Assist in the development of schedules for direct support staff where services focus on meaningful activities that promote skill building and goal achievement.
- Complete, at a minimum, quarterly reviews of progress on PCP goals for each person receiving Services, sharing information with supervisors, and seeking guidance/support when goals are not being worked on.
- Complete all required documentation for assigned people related to their services with Opportunities Inc. Ensure that all information entered in iCM is up to date for all people on assignment list.
- Keep current records of people supported in iCareManager, regularly updating demographic and contact information as well as support needs, goals, and PCP tracking.
- Attend and participate in all required meetings for people in services that focus on Person-Centered Plan development, review of services, employment plan developments, Discovery related items, etc.
- Attend and actively participate in any required team meetings.
- Ensure that all staff providing direct support are trained on the individual Person-Centered Plan of people on caseload, providing training when necessary.
- Coordinate and participate in the process of discovering person-related needs, including, but not limited to activities of daily living, employment interests, advocacy, etc.
- Ensure all people are served in accordance with approved DDA funding.
- Review utilization of units for services to ensure that people are using the allocated funding provided to them, and reports issues with this to the PM when appropriate.
- Manage transportation authorization and spending for people who need support through transportation services.
- Advocate for the rights, choices, and preferences for all people supported by Opportunities Inc., within the service system and broader community, following the philosophy of “Nothing about me without me.”
- Complete and pass all required DDA and Agency training(s) and remain current with all renewable training.
- Full engagement in the Person-Centered Planning process ensuring that each person assigned has a PCP that is in compliance with state and federal requirements set forth in COMAR, the Community Pathways Waiver, or other guidance shared by CMS.
- Collaborate with internal and external team members to develop Person-Centered Plans focused on individualized goals for each person assigned. Soliciting communication and feedback as it relates to participants’ strengths, needs, preferences, and desires.
- Regularly review and update person-centered plans, with assistance from the program team, as necessary, to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to the person's evolving needs and preferences.
- Troubleshoot errors or delays in the PCP approval process to ensure approval of PCP within required timeframes and avoid any assigned people experiencing delays/stoppages in services and auto-extensions of plans are minimized.
- Monitor LTSS daily for pending plan activity and respond accordingly when necessary.
- Ensure the correct number of annual units are included within the service authorization section of the PCP.
- Work with program teams to ensure goals and implementation strategies fit within the services Opportunities Inc. provides.
- Monitors the clarification request process for PCPs of people assigned and ensures timely resolution of issues.
- Maintain a strong working knowledge of all services offered by Opportunities Inc. and actively connect people to services that best meet their needs and goals.
- Follow up on incidents, concerns, or changes in behavior by directly observing services and engaging with the person supported and staff to determine root causes and needed adjustments.
- Serve as the central point of knowledge for each person, ensuring all team members have a clear and consistent understanding of who the person is and what matters to them.
- Collaborate with program teams to coordinate and adjust day-to-day services as needs or circumstances change, ensuring minimal disruption and continuity of support.
QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in counseling, Social Work, Business or related field preferred. Experience working in the I/DD field will be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Creativity related to implementation of services.
- Knowledge regarding the systems of support for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Federal Waiver services offered through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
- Self-Starter with a proven track record taking initiative to complete tasks.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities in an effective manner.
- Strong organization and time management skills
- Works well within diverse populations building appropriate rapport, while demonstrating cultural competence.
- Effective and strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite.
- Prior experience working in LTSS and iCareManager preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Understanding of, and ability to share, information regarding activities and resources in Montgomery County and/or Prince George’s County.
- A valid driver's license, clean driving record, reliable transportation and willingness to drive company vehicles.
A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A SUPPORT COORDINATOR
- Meet with a person and their team to facilitate a Pre-Planning meeting for a PCP.
- Create, or update, a 1-Page profile of an assigned person.
- Check iCM for upcoming PCP Tasks and schedule / complete them, keeping PCP’s on track and in compliance.
- Complete PCP Review to see how a person is progressing with their goals and identify any barriers for discussion with the Program Manager.
- Work with a group to provide coverage and monitor how people are doing with their goals.
- Update iCM with key information about a person, their services, and other documents we must have on file.
- Reach out to CCS to ensure a copy of the approved PCP is received.
- Train CSP & ES on PCP’s.
Opportunities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Working in the I/DD field: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (Required)
Work Location: In person
