Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist works primarily in the Bridge to Brighter Futures Program. The specialist maintains a caseload in their designated region of individuals and their families who are living at home and do not currently receive day services. Navigation will be provided to these families utilizing the charting the life course tools to identify natural supports and low-cost options to meet the current needs of the individual and their family. Please note, this is a grant-funded position, the grant ending September 30, 2024. Once the grant ends, the employee will move into a comparable/similar role.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm *evenings and weekend availability are required* (40 hr/week) 

Responsibilities:

• Knowledgeable about the Bridge to Brighter Futures Program and the allocated funding
• Utilize the charting the life course tools to develop a vision for a good life and design a plan that identifies how to find and develop the supports that will be needed
• Provide intensive navigation and planning to identify, provide, help arrange or facilitate integrated supports for families as identified by their vision and plan
• Participate in the IEP/ISP process with families as needed
• Collect and review information regarding an individual’s social behavior, diagnosis, cognitive ability, goals and other community involvement to identify support and resources beneficial to the individual served and his/her family
• Develop a professional relationship with all professionals who support the family within the community and collaborate as needed to assist families in being successful with reaching their vision for a good life
• Develop and coordinate networking and educational events that will enable families to learn together and keep families connected through a parent to parent support model
• Develop, organize, and lead regular social recreational events for individuals accessing this program
• Act as an adult companion, respite provider, or skills trainer if the need is identified
• Maintain consistent and regular communication with program participants
• Complete all required data collection and documentation including but not limited to case notes, maintaining updated client records, and attendance in a timely and organized manner

Qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license, acceptable CORI/SORI/Driving record are always required during employment with The Arc of Opportunity.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline strongly preferred. Three years of applicable experience in lieu of degree preferred.
• 2 years’ experience working with developmentally disabled individuals.
• Intermediate to advanced Spanish language communication skills preferred
• Experience utilizing charting the life course tools
• Good written and oral communication abilities and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, software applications, and electronic medical records.