Family Support Specialist

Job Title: Family Support Specialist-Medically Complex Department: Family Support Direct Supervisor: Assistant Director, Family Support Date Approved: March 2024 Summary The Family Support Specialist works primarily in the Medically Complex contract in the NorthEast Region. The Family Support Specialist will maintain a caseload of children and young adults ages 3-25 who have been directly referred by DDS. Participants and their families are in need of active case management to properly access available services and navigate the system. This position will work closely with DDS Service Coordinators to implement the goals identified for each individual. Essential Job Functions Support, advocate for and assist families in acquiring and maintaining all government benefits. Family Support Department Staff are required to understand the relationship between government benefits and various services available. Must have the ability to transfer this knowledge to the families they serve. Conduct needs assessments to determine qualifications for eligibility in the program Provide intensive navigation and planning to identify, provide, help arrange or facilitate supports for families including but not limited to interagency/ community funding: in-kind community donation of services; identification of additional in home medical supports, medical equipment and advocacy; access home/vehicle adaptions; develop community inclusion opportunities; and school collaboration Develop family support plans and participate in the IEP/ISP process with all families receiving case management Develop a professional relationship with all professionals who support the family within the community (including school or programs). Collaborate when needed to assist families in identifying appropriate services Plan and coordinate network and family events that keep families connected and allow families to socialize together. Develop and manage educational events on relevant and timely topics for families Maintain consistent and regular communication with the DDS Service Coordinators and area office. Prepare and update quarterly reports for Area Office. Provide technical assistance to area and regional offices in regard to the Medically Complex Program Complete all required data collection, paperwork and documentation including case notes, change forms, data collection, billing, funding and check requests, updating files, utilization data and calendar schedule in a timely and organized manner Attend and participate in all appropriate local, regional and statewide Family Support Meetings Assist in determining family's need for stipend funding under allowable categories and subsequently manage the payment request process for all Medically Complex stipends including securing all necessary signatures Track all Medically Complex stipend spending General Requirements Serve as an active, contributing, problem solving member of the Family Support team Act in a manner consistent with organizational values, mission and goals. Become familiar with and abide by personnel policies Position requires some on-call, evening or weekend work and some local travel Monitor the safety and well-being of the individual served and his/her family. Report any issues to supervisor. Serves as Mandated Reporter as required by the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. Supervisory Responsibilities None Qualifications To perform this job successfully the incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in a related discipline preferred 2 years experience working with developmentally disabled individuals. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working with individuals who are medically fragile Excellent organizational and communication skills Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills required Experience with medically complex populations preferred Bi-Lingual Candidates encouraged to apply Language Skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as letters from social security, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before groups is required. Must be able to write case notes in a clear and concise manner. Must be able to speak effectively to persons with developmental disabilities and communicate with families in a caring and clear manner. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and is frequently required to stand, walk, sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment While performing the duties of this job the incumbent is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions when traveling. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel Local travel required. This job description is not all inclusive and does not state or imply that these are the only duties/responsibilities to be performed by the incumbent. The incumbent is required to follow/perform any other job related instruction/duty/project as directed by the Board of Directors or the CEO.