The Connected Living Coordinator leads the day-to-day operation of The Arc of Central Alabama's Connected Living Program (CLP) program — a community living option under the ADMH Community Waiver Program (CWP) in which up to three (3) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live in a trained host family's home and share family experiences while receiving individualized services and supports. This role recruits, trains, credentials, and continuously supports Host Family Caregivers; develops, implements, and monitors each person's Person-Centered Plan (PCP); conducts regular in-home monitoring visits; and ensures every AFH setting meets ADMH certification requirements, the federal HCBS Settings Rule, and Title XIX standards. Serving as the primary bridge between people served, host families, families/guardians, support coordinators, and ADMH, the Coordinator ensures each individual experiences dignity, choice, safety, and genuine community inclusion in a family home environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Recruit, screen, and select prospective Host Family Caregivers, and coordinate matching of individuals to host homes based on each person's needs, preferences, and choice.
- Verify and maintain host-family qualifications and training records, and confirm background-check clearance for all household members ages 18 and older prior to placement.
- Develop, implement, and regularly update Person-Centered Plans in collaboration with each individual, their team, host family, and support coordinators.
- Conduct regular in-home monitoring visits to each AFH (at minimum monthly, or more frequently as needed) to ensure services and supports are delivered per the PCP and meet individual needs.
- Support the AFH approval and certification process, including Prospective Provider Orientation, ACAP certification requests, Temporary Operating Authority (TOA), and Final Certification documentation (AFH policies/procedures, Individual Rights policies, Quality Improvement Plan, emergency and evacuation plans, and home accessibility documentation).
- Prepare for and support Bi-Annual HCBS Compliance Reviews, certification and credentialing reviews, and ADMH/DDD monitoring, and coordinate any remediation or corrective action plans with specific actions and timelines.
- Train, coach, and provide ongoing functional oversight and supervision to Host Family Caregivers on person-centered plan implementation, documentation, health and safety, and individual rights.
- Review service documentation, data collection, and service notes across the AFH caseload for completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
- Monitor the health, safety, and well-being of people served; recognize and respond to signs of illness, injury, or risk; and ensure standard precautions, infection control, and emergency preparedness are followed in each home.
- Identify, report, and follow up on critical incidents and any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation per the Incident Prevention & Management System (IPMS) and mandatory-reporting requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for families, guardians, host families, and support coordinators regarding placement, services, and day-to-day questions.
- Lead or participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and annual/periodic plan reviews, and track action items to completion.
- Monitor billing/utilization data for the AFH caseload and flag discrepancies to leadership.
- Advocate for individuals' rights, choices, and access to community resources, and safeguard freedom of choice and community integration in provider-controlled settings.
Preferred IDD-Focused Responsibilities
- Champion a person-centered, rights-based approach in which each individual's choice, self-determination, and valued social roles drive placement and service decisions.
- Ensure Personal Outcome Measures (CQL) — such as choice, relationships, community inclusion, and dignity — are reflected in plan development, host-family support, and monitoring.
- Uphold HCBS Settings Rule expectations for community integration, privacy, autonomy, and access to the greater community in each host home.
- Promote positive behavior support strategies and the least restrictive supports necessary.
- Foster genuine family-home experiences and belonging for people served within host families, while protecting individual rights and confidentiality.
- Maintain strong, respectful partnerships with families, guardians, host families, and support coordinators as core members of each person's team.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a human services field (e.g., social work, psychology, special education, sociology), meeting QDDP qualification requirements.
- Minimum of one (1) year of direct experience working with individuals with IDD, consistent with Title XIX, 42 CFR 483.430.
- Completion of ADMH QDDP (Relias) training, or ability to complete within required timelines.
- Ability to complete ADMH Prospective Provider Orientation and AFH-related training, and to support ACAP certification processes.
- Must pass a statewide/criminal background check confirming no convictions for any crime of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any felony offense.
- Must pass a pre-employment drug screen; TB test if required by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (AMA Policy #WAV37).
- Valid Alabama driver's license, acceptable driving record, and ability to travel regularly to host homes and program sites.
- Ability to complete required ADMH training within 90 days, including IPMS and person-centered plan training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in a human services field.
- Two (2) or more years of experience coordinating services for individuals with IDD.
- Experience with host-home, foster-care, or family-based residential models.
- Experience conducting person-centered planning meetings and supervisory/monitoring visits.
- Familiarity with ADMH Community Waiver Program certification, ACAP, the HCBS Settings Rule, and CQL accreditation standards.
- Familiarity with electronic documentation and data systems.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
- Knowledge of ADMH AFH requirements, the HCBS Settings Rule (42 CFR 441.301(c)(4)), and Title XIX (42 CFR 483.430) QDDP standards.
- Knowledge of person-centered planning practices, Personal Outcome Measures, and positive behavior support.
- Skill in recruiting, training, and supporting host families or caregivers.
- Skill in developing and monitoring Person-Centered Plans and conducting in-home monitoring visits.
- Skill in reviewing documentation and service delivery for compliance and quality.
- Skill in clear written and verbal communication with individuals, host families, families, staff, and support coordinators.
- Ability to identify and respond to health, safety, and rights concerns promptly and to report accurately.
- Ability to manage a caseload with attention to detail and regulatory deadlines.
- Proficiency with office software and electronic documentation/data systems.
Physical & Essential Functions
- Primarily office- and community-based work combined with regular in-home monitoring visits.
- Frequent travel between host homes and program sites within the service area.
- Frequent sitting, standing, and computer use; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to respond to urgent individual needs or incidents as required.
- Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to monitor health,
Work Environment
- Host family homes, community-based settings, and office environments.
- Regular local travel between host homes and program sites.
- Standard business hours with flexibility for family meetings, monitoring visits, or incident response, which may include some evenings or weekends.
- Deadline-driven documentation, certification, and regulatory-visit schedule.
- May include exposure to typical household and community conditions during in-home visits (PPE provided as needed).
Why Join The Arc of Central Alabama?
At The Arc of Central Alabama, we are committed to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live meaningful lives while providing our employees with one of the strongest total rewards packages in our industry.
Our team members benefit from:
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Sector-leading medical insurance benefits designed to provide quality, affordable healthcare coverage for you and your family.
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10% retirement match with immediate vesting, giving you access to one of the most competitive retirement programs in the field from your first day of eligibility.
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A structured training and development curriculum that equips employees with the skills, certifications, and leadership capabilities needed to advance their careers.
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20 days of Paid Time Off during your first year of employment, supporting work-life balance and personal well-being.
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Double-time holiday pay for seven designated holidays each year, rewarding employees who provide essential support during holiday periods.
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Opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve every day.
Whether you are beginning your career or looking to take the next step professionally, The Arc of Central Alabama offers a supportive environment where you can grow, develop, and build a rewarding career while making a lasting impact in your community.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Arc of Central Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check, drug screen, and any health screenings required by the Alabama Department of Mental Health Community Waiver Program and the Alabama Medicaid Agency.
ADA / Reasonable Accommodation
The Arc of Central Alabama complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The physical demands and work environment described in this requisition are representative of those an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Applicants or employees who require an accommodation to participate in the application process or to perform the essential functions of the role should contact the People Operations department.
