Position: Independent Living Advocate/Community Living Specialist

Reports to: Program Director

Purpose:

Independent Living Advocate/Community Living Goal:
Assist consumers living in nursing homes, who wish to live in a less restrictive environment, with the coordination of services to successfully transition to their new home setting. Establish plan to facilitate a safe transition back into the community, and arrangement for support systems including: finding accessible housing, establishing community connections, securing personal care attendant services and other community support services, accessing public transportation services, acquiring appropriate technology and securing home safety devices, as needed.

Community Living Outreach Goal:
Maintain up-to-date list of nursing home administrators and social workers to enable us to send an informational mailing at least once a year with information about the Community Living option and the services we are able to provide to assist consumers and nursing home staff with transitioning residents back into the community. Solicit and respond to requests for informational presentations to nursing home staff regarding the Community Living Option, clarifying how the use of community support services, home adaptations and assistive devices can make independent living a viable option for seniors.

Duties:

1. Oversee the coordination and progression of all services as established in the consumer’s IL Transition Plan in nursing home transition situations.*

2. Outreach to nursing home staff to provide information about Community Living option and services available through OSCIL to assist in transitioning residents back into the community.

3. Evaluate the independent living needs of persons having disability referred to the program and set priorities for service provision.

4. Provide direct IL services to consumers, in consumer’s homes at nursing homes, and at the OSCIL office.

5. Provide core independent living services (Information & Referral, Direct Skills Training, Advocacy and Peer Support).

6. Assist consumers with connection to benefits, transportation and housing options.

7. Using OSCIL’s van drive consumers, when necessary, in order to connect consumers to community services, as indicated in the consumer’s IL plan. (NOTE: OSCIL does not provide transportation services.)

8. Advocate for, and coordinate appropriate services for increased independence in home and community.

9. May be required to provide crisis intervention.

10. Document all activity on specified forms and provide monthly and yearly reports to the Program Director.

11. Other duties as indicated by the Program Director.

Qualifications:

1. AS Degree in Human Services field required. BA preferred.

2. Two or more years’ experience in addressing the needs of people with disabilities.

3. Familiarity with subsidized housing application process helpful.

4.  Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel to consumer homes to provide service. (OSCIL provides services statewide.)

5.  Possess excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable speaking in front of groups.

6. Be able to work independently and possess skill at setting priority for task accomplishment.

7. Chauffeur’s license desired but not required

8. BCI check required.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Email resume and cover letter to lshaffer@oscil.org or mail to OSCIL, 1944 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889

Deadline is Friday, April 11, 2008