ADVOCATE COUNSELOR, DAY SERVICES

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

ADVOCATE COUNSELOR, DAY SERVICES COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

Melwood's Vision: A world where people with disabilities are fully included Melwood's Mission: Melwood Advocates for and empowers individuals of disabilities to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community.

INTRODUCTION

The Advocate Counselor, Day Services provides person-centered, customer-driven program support to people with disabilities, with the Day Services. The Advocate Counselor, Day Services assure activities are responsive to individual's day habilitation outcome goals established by the individual. The Advocate Counselor, Day Services facilitates the development, implementation and review of the Individual Plan for the individuals in the Day Services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate and facilitate individualized plan activities that reflect the desire of persons served while ensuring compliance with applicable DDA regulations. Initiates person-centered planning activities and assist persons served to present desired goals and services at annual team meetings or other venues.

2. Identify and communicate strengths and area of improvement for individuals and possible methods of enhancing strengths and minimizing weaknesses, utilizing progress notes and/or other assessment related tools and/or records.

3. Respond to inquiries/requests from persons served, family, caregivers, peers and all other internal and external customers in a timely manner.

4. Provide immediate support in crisis intervention in areas such as, but not limited to immediate on-site intervention, problem analysis and initial recommendations.

5. Must possess the ability to analyze individual needs, recommending goals and future Individual specific planning, leadership skills, and self determination to meet deadlines when managing and developing Efforts to Outcomes documentation (Annual Individual Plans, Goals, Communication logs/visits, attendance logs, as well as trainings staff on the implementation of the yearly plans/services

6. Provide on-going day services support that includes: * Identify possible learning/habilitation barriers. * Adapt the environment when necessary to promote success. * Review and reinforce personal safety skills with individuals served. * Record behavioral and incidents * Assist individuals in developing natural supports; socialization/integration skills training. * Conduct training on specific needs with direct support professionals. * Teach self-management skills to enhance overall independence.

7. Ensure individuals' fundamental rights (COMAR 10.22.04) and satisfactory conclusion to incident reports in a timely manner.

8. Attend team meetings as needed; arranges interim team meetings as indicated. Complete post individualized plan development activities within 20 days of the meeting. Develop outcomes, goals, and strategies based upon planning results. Distribute data collection sheets and individualized plan meeting documentation to appropriate personnel. Ensure and/or provide applicable training for direct support staff.

9. Post Individual Plan development activities to be completed within 20 days of the meeting: Develop outcomes, goals, and strategies based upon planning results; Distribution of data collection sheets; ensure and/or provide applicable training for direct support staff to aid in facilitating individual's goals.

10. Develop a working relationship with stakeholders that facilitates program outreach and ensures that the services offered remain relevant to the individuals' needs and the agency's mission.

11. Adhere to State of Maryland DDA, CARF and Melwood policies and procedures.

12. Act as a liaison to family members/caregivers, external advocates (e.g., DSS Guardians, Resource Coordinators) and other service providers.

13. Actively participate in management team, interdisciplinary and staff meetings.

14. Adhere to and further the mission of Melwood by creating a supportive environment for participants and staff.

15. May require some nights and weekend work.

16. Other duties as assigned. All Functions are Essential

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The incumbent is supervised by the Director, Programs.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS Must be able to stand or walk 60% of working time. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds; must be able to carry up to 30 pounds. Must be able to speak and to communicate with individuals and the public. Must possess good vision, depth perception and hearing as driving is a requirement.

QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS in Psychology, Special Education or related field and two (2) years' experience working with the people with disabilities required. Must possess excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; previous experience in overseeing direct care staff. Working knowledge of and commitment to self-determination principles; proven ability to foster community integration by building upon peoples' abilities, desires and dreams. This position may require use of your personal vehicle to transport persons-served. All Melwood transportation policies must be followed and liability insurance on your personal vehicle must be in full force and effect while transporting for or on the behalf of Melwood. Melwood will reimburse for mileage pursuant to the Travel policy.