Under the direction of the supervisor and in cooperation with other members of DAC’s service team, Program Staff-TBI North will provide services that promote independent living to persons with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to live more independently within their community. Position assists with TBI core services including supported living, community reintegration, vocational support, informational and referral, and professional and public community education and outreach. Direct services will include housing strategies, peer support, supported living services, case management, independent living skills training, benefits planning, transition, and individual advocacy services. Core services are provided in the office, community, and home through in-person, online, and telephone contact. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Core services are provided in the office through in-person and telephone contact and in the community or home as assigned.
Provide the following core services to survivors of TBI: supported livingservices, case management, community reintegration services,vocational supportive services, information and referral; individualadvocacy; housing assistance, peer support and independent livingskills training.
Utilization of a person-centered planning process to assist individualsand their families in the development of an individual service planintegrating his/her goals and priorities.
Provide information, support and training to assist consumers inachieving stated independent living goals in their individual service planand/or make referrals to appropriate resources and agencies.
Provide enhanced information and assistance by working with theconsumer to identify the individual’s long- and short-term needs,
identifying resources to meet those needs, providing referrals to identified resources, and, where appropriate, providing warm hand-offs, and following up to ensure a consumer’s needs have been met.
Obtain, evaluate, and document comprehensive information related tocommunity based TBI-related long-term care services and supports(LTSS) and develop a framework of possible options available that allowindividuals and stakeholders to make informed choices. Provide case coordination services as requested by consumers and/oras required by funding source. Make a minimum monthly follow-upcontact with all consumers who have an open file.
Provide vocational services, including skills development to identify andovercome barriers to employment, pre-vocational, and educationalservices as requested by consumers and to individuals who are under- or unserved by existing vocation rehabilitation services. Create and maintain confidential files on consumers who requestongoing services: complete intake assessment and periodic statisticaldata collection forms: prepare case notes: document service requestsand services provided: and complete other paperwork as required.
Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and confidential case records ofservices requested and provided utilizing DAC’s consumer servicerecords policies and procedures, and standards, indicators, andassurances as required in Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act andcorresponding regulations, as well as funding source requirements.Submit all required records and reports in an accurate, legible and timelymanner.
Participate in TBI community education activities that promoteawareness of the issues faced by survivors of brain injuries.Keep daily logs and prepare monthly and quarterly statistical informationin an accurate and timely fashion as required by funding source.
Collect, read, summarize, and disseminate information on localresources issues and legislation relevant to persons with brain injuries.Provide peer support services and information on TBI groups andactivities to consumers.
Be available in office to interact with consumers and co-workersregarding independent living issues.Learn and follow DAC policies and procedures. Convey the independentliving philosophy and principles of consumer control, equal access, andequal opportunity throughout delivery of services.
Work on assigned projects as a member of a team.
Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Maintain practices that protect the safety and health of consumers andco-workers.
SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Operate standard office equipment (including fax machine, photocopier,Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), typewriter). Be able to learn DAC database and update records as required.
Perform other duties related to independent living as time permits.
QUALIFICATIONS
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability desired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
High School diploma or GED, and three (3) years experience providing services to people with disabilities including individuals with TBI.
REQUIREMENT/JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Demonstrated knowledge of issues faced by survivors of head injuryand of community resources and disability culture. Demonstrated skills in organization, time management, workingindependently, and communication with persons with diversebackgrounds and communication styles.
Demonstrated good written and verbal skills. Demonstrated skill atinformal teaching. Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and promoting understandingof head injury concerns in diverse audiences
.Familiarity with general office procedures and office equipment, andwith statistical data collection.Personal experience with disability preferred. Familiarity withindependent living philosophy preferred.
Must have reliable transportation, clean driving record, and valididentification card.
Ability to protect the confidentiality of consumer information.
Ability to present information and ideas clearly, both orally and in writingin English, and to understand and retain information and ideaspresented orally and/or in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain friendly and professional workingrelationships with head injury survivors and family members, thegeneral public and agency personnel, in both group and individualinteractions.
Ability and willingness to work with a wide range of people with andwithout disabilities, including people in crisis.
Ability to take initiative and, after completion of training, to work awayfrom the office and with limited direct supervision.
Sensitivity to issues concerning diverse cultures and people with arange of disabilities.
Ability to operate a keyboard and a computer.
Mental Demands
Must possess excellent organizational skills, including the ability toeffectively juggle multiple and/or competing priorities.
Must possess follow through and attention to detail.
Must possess the ability to self-motivate, set and meet goals to achievedesired results.
Must be able to meet deadlines and be results oriented.
Must demonstrate the ability to think independently within the scope ofthe position, make decisions and use good judgment and discretion inthe decision making process.
Must be accountable for decisions and actions.
Must be an analytical thinker.
STRESS LEVEL
Moderate. This person is frequently expected to think clearly in emergencies and complete work with deadlines. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to visit consumers at nursing homes, in their homes, and other settings. Understand and convey the concepts of independent living.
- Bilingual in Hmong or Mien and English perferred.
Knowledge of ASL desirable.
Ability to become conversant in the Olmstead Decision and Americanswith Disabilities Act.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level of the office working conditions is low to moderate.
Mostly indoors, occasionally outdoors.
Moderate amount of travel: local and regional.
DAC is a fragrance-free work environment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER DAC is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. DAC is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. BACKGROUND CHECK DAC strives to provide a safe environment for staff, consumers, and volunteers. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, DAC conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted may vary by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, drug screening, and sex offender registry. RFA IL-24-06-01 Disability Action Center (DAC):
Ability to exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment in providing
consumer services and participating in community education, advocacy or
awareness projects. Ability to work effectively with community resource
agencies and/or staff.
Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Language:
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
