Disabilities Advocate

Provides advocacy and family support for individuals who have intellectual disabilities/autism and their families. Provides information, resources, technical assistance, and advocacy in the areas of early intervention, special education, transition, home, and community-based services, and adult services.  Maintains and prepares required records and reports for Family Support Services. Reports to the Director of Advocacy and Family Supports.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports the achievement of individuals’ personal outcomes.
2. Provides information, resources, technical assistance, and advocacy for students ages birth -21 years of age and their families related to early intervention, special education, and transition.
3. Provides information, resources, technical assistance, and advocacy for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families related to home and community-based services, government benefits, transportation, employment, and health care.
4. Gathers and analyzes facts of individual cases and utilizes this information to resolve issues related to Individual Education Plans, Individual Family Service Plans, and Individual Support Plans
5. Represents Achieva on local and state committees and task forces.
6. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies as they relate to early intervention, special education, transition, government benefits, and home and community-based services that impact individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. 
7. Works with other educational and disability advocates to resolve systemic issues related to early intervention, special education, transition, and home and community-based services.
8. Attends in-service and other training as required.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or education and /or 1-2 years of related experience advocating and/or supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. Negotiation skills, ability to problem-solve, and a proven ability to work effectively with other professionals, families and system officials. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.  Ability to work well both independently and with others. Ability to travel locally. Computer literacy. Act 33/34 clearances. Valid license to drive in the State of Pennsylvania and properly insured automobile for frequent use.

ACHIEVA is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (EOE) and an Employer Partner under the Ticket to Work Program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACHIEVA is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Wendy Bott, Human Resource Department, 412-995-5000 ext. 492, wbott@achieva.info.