Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities. 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION: Supportsindividuals diagnosed with mental illness, developmental and/or physicaldisabilities, and other medical co-existing conditions to have access to communityresources, based on assessment of participant needs. Conducts home visits to performevaluations and track progress of participant. Develops an individual serviceplan (ISP) and a community outreach support network strategy; supportsparticipant and family/caregiver to access/apply for services, and providesongoing support to help the individual achieve desired outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Conducts home visits to individuals with behavioral/emotional challenges and significant medical issues. Provides intensive personal life planning, assistance, effective involvement and coordination of all activities required to ensure a successful outcome for participant and their families.
• Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating actions required to meet the goals of the individual. Ensures health and safety of participants through development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of Individual Service Plan (ISP), Individual Program Plan (IPP), and crisis planning.
• Develops a person-centered support network plan. Enhances capacity and knowledge of individuals and parents/caretakers of available services, and provides intensive support and assistance with accessing community resources and system navigation to expedite utilization of services.
• Acts as a point of contact and liaison between the individual and their family/care giver and social, health, mental health, academic, and government agencies involved. Coordinates and facilitates all meetings pertaining to the individual, and maintains the Regional Center up-to-date with progress of individual.
• Maintains effective working relationship with participants and their family members, referral and community agencies, and service line staff. Works collaboratively with other community support specialists.
• Ensures all required documentation, data collection, files and billing adhere to internal and external guidelines set forth by program design. Complies with all applicable regulations, and with ESSC policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Provides program orientation and trainings to other associates on service delivery. Attends in-service and training meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Associate's degree from an accredited college with preference for programs related to Human Services, Social Work, behavioral science, or related field; Bachelor's degree is preferred.|Must possess and maintain valid CPR and First Aid Certifications.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 3 years of recent related experience working in a full time capacity with individuals who have dual diagnosis (developmental disability and mental illness).
• Experience with service delivery systems (Regional Center, Mental Health Services, DPSS, Criminal Court).
• Or a combination of experience, education and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job successfully.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Ability to speak the primary language of the participant and family.
• Ability to communicate effectively, through oral and written skills, with all levels of staff and general public.
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Word).
• Ability to consistently demonstrate good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to properly interpret and implement policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Experience with service delivery systems (Regional Center, Mental Health Court, Criminal Court, and Probation Dept. etc.).
• Ability to travel locally; maintain driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards. Must possess and maintain proper auto insurance and vehicle registration.
• Ability to pass post-offer medical examination and test for tuberculosis.
• Able to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easter Seals Southern California and/or program requirements.

Carrying/Lifting: Occasional / Up to 10 lbs
Standing: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day
Sitting: Frequent / Up to 6 hours per day
Walking: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day
Repetitive Motion/Activity: Keyboardactivity, telephone use, writing
Visual Acuity: Abilityto view computer monitor and read newsprint
Travel: Aminimum of 50% of time (local travel)
Environmental Exposure: Frequentunpleasant or hazardous working conditions (e.g., noise, yelling,heat, dust, bio fluids, etc.)