Bilingual Newport School Liaison, Children with Special Needs
About The Position
RIPIN deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPIN’s peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems. Bilingual Community Health Worker(CHW) provides peer-to-peer support to families and children with special health care needs; completes family assessments; works with family to determine family goals and implement plan for achieving goals; links families to an array of supports and resources; provides input regarding services and programs in RI and works to mitigate system barriers to accessing services. This CHW works in collaboration with the Newport Public Schools and surrounding communities, increasing family/school partnerships, and creating awareness of parental/caregiver rights in the educational success for at-risk and students with disabilities.
Requirements
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
- Ability to provide peer perspective as an individual or family member of an individual with a disability, chronic condition, and/or special health care need
- Advanced knowledge of special health care and education systems in RI and other human service systems supporting families of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs
- Problem-solving skills to facilitate empowering experiences and positive outcomes with families
- High level of interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills to interact on a professional level with our diverse stakeholders, including parents and professionals
- Ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable manner
- Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
- Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and programs
- Proficiency in computer and internet navigation (online documents, search engine, government websites), as well as computer skills to maintain and update program related materials, reports and database
- Ability to effectively carryout the mission and philosophy of RIPIN and a willingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively with multiple constituents
- Ability to present to small and large audiences that include consumers, stakeholders, and professionals on RIPIN programs’ operations, mission, and focus
- A deep understanding of, commitment to, and ability to carry out the mission, vision, philosophy, and values of RIPIN
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office/computer skills to enter data, prepare reports and correspondence
- High school diploma/GED required
- Experience supporting families and individuals with special health care and/or educational needs required
- Demonstrated life experience as a consumer, parent or family member of a consumer with special health care and/or special education needs
- Demonstrated knowledge of RIPIN’s programs, mission and vision
- Experience working with and outreaching to diverse populations
- Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and Spanish required
Nice To Haves
- Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health or related field strongly preferred
- Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
Responsibilities
- Provide Care Coordination of services and supports, while educating parents and primary caregivers in the navigation of systems of care for their CSHCN, by promoting person-centered care and medical home model
- Outreach to referred families within agency guidelines
- Conduct a Family Needs Assessment for referred families and develop an individualized Family Care Plan as appropriate
- Identify family strengths, concerns and natural supports; utilize motivational interviewing skills and culturally sensitive methods to support members in achieving their goals
- Support each family in finding geographically convenient supports and services
- Collaborate with other service providers, helping families make necessary connections
- Mentor families encountering special education concerns, assisting families with navigating the education/special education system
- Assist families as they transition to independence /case closure; provide follow up support as needed
- Assist in statewide system analysis, planning and coordination with state agencies, state and local boards, community-based organizations, and community rehabilitation programs
- Actively participate as effective team member in assigned agency meetings and team meetings.
- Make constructive use of individual and peer supervision/one-on- one meetings
- Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Benefits
- Equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
