Child, Family and Adult Advocate

The Arc of Adams County•Northglenn, CO

2d•$62,000 - $69,000

About The Position

The Child, Family & Adult Advocate provides non-attorney advocacy, education, and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. The Advocate helps individuals and families understand their rights and options, prepare for meetings and decisions, communicate their needs, document concerns, and advocate for appropriate services, supports, and accommodations. The role supports self-advocacy and meaningful participation in decisions involving schools, Medicaid and other public systems, service providers, case management agencies, healthcare, housing, benefits, employment, transportation, and other systems affecting rights and community participation. The Advocate works within the scope of non-attorney advocacy and organizational policies. The position does not provide legal advice or representation, case management, benefits eligibility determinations, housing placement, transportation services, direct care, or ongoing service coordination. When a need falls outside the role's scope, the Advocate helps the individual or family identify and connect with an appropriate resource, provider, specialist, or legal service. The Advocate exercises professional judgment, consults with leadership when appropriate, and escalates complex, urgent, high-risk, unresolved, or out-of-scope issues. The position promotes The Arc of Adams County's mission and the values of self-advocacy, inclusion, dignity, independence, equal access, and the rights of individuals with IDD and their families. Work is a combination of office-based, community-based, and virtual activities. The Advocate may attend meetings at schools, government agencies, provider offices, healthcare settings, and other community locations, and may encounter emotionally difficult or stressful situations. Occasional evening or other non-standard hours may be required with appropriate approval. The role requires community travel and use of standard office and communication technology. Reasonable accommodations will be considered consistent with applicable law.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, or experience in lieu of education, in social work, human services, psychology, special education, disability studies, education, or a related field; this qualification is preferred.
Relevant professional or lived experience with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be considered in combination with education and experience.
Understanding of the rights, needs, and experiences of individuals with IDD.
Understanding of self-advocacy, person-centered practices, inclusion, and informed decision-making.
Ability to explain complex information in clear, accessible, and respectful language.
Strong verbal and written communication, listening, problem-solving, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to gather, organize, and objectively document information.
Ability to prepare individuals and families for meetings and difficult conversations.
Ability to establish professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and personal backgrounds.
Ability to recognize when an issue falls outside non-attorney advocacy and seek appropriate assistance.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, and travel within the community as required.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computers, mobile devices, and other technology necessary to perform the position.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, electronically, through virtual meeting platforms, and in individual homes.
Ability to maintain professionalism, boundaries, and effective advocacy communication in challenging situations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with IDD, children, adults, families, or disability-related systems.
Experience in advocacy, disability services, education, human services, community organizing, or a related field.
Familiarity with disability-related systems, including education, Medicaid, HCBS, case management, benefits, healthcare, and community services.
Understanding or knowledge of special education processes and protections, including IDEA, IEPs, Section 504 plans, evaluations, procedural safeguards, and parent and family rights.
English and Spanish proficiency sufficient to communicate effectively with individuals, families, and community members in both languages; may qualify for a 1.5% increase in base pay, subject to verification and organizational approval.

Responsibilities

Provide non-attorney advocacy to individuals with IDD and their families regarding rights, disability services, special education, supports, accommodations, and access to community resources.
Explain information, notices, service decisions, policies, and communications in plain, accessible language.
Help individuals and families identify priorities, concerns, questions, desired outcomes, and appropriate next steps.
Support individuals and families in communicating their needs and preferences to schools, government agencies, case management agencies, service providers, healthcare providers, and other systems.
Support self-advocacy and meaningful participation in decisions affecting individuals' lives, encouraging individuals to communicate directly whenever possible.
Help identify barriers, delays, reductions, denials, or interruptions in services and supports, and assist with documenting relevant concerns, communications, timelines, and decisions.
Prepare individuals and families for meetings by helping identify questions, gather relevant information, review documents, and define desired outcomes; attend meetings as an advocacy support person when appropriate and authorized.
Educate individuals and families about disability-related rights, responsibilities, processes, and options within the Advocate's knowledge and authority, and seek consultation or resources when an issue exceeds that scope.
Help individuals and families understand relevant systems, service plans, notices, correspondence, policies, IEPs, and other documents without taking responsibility for managing systems on their behalf.
Identify when an issue needs specialized assistance and provide appropriate referrals and resource information without assuming responsibility for service delivery or coordination.
Support families in preparing for school meetings, including IEP/504 and related educational processes, within the Advocate's scope and training.
Support adults with IDD in understanding and communicating preferences regarding services, supports, employment, community participation, relationships, and other life decisions.
Promote inclusion, community participation, person-centered and culturally responsive practices, trauma-informed advocacy, dignity, and informed decision-making.
Maintain timely, accurate, objective, confidential advocacy records in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and required systems; distinguish reported information, observed information, and professional observations.
Protect confidential and sensitive information and maintain current knowledge and appropriate use of required forms, systems, and documentation processes; refer to organizational policies when using AI.
Provide or support educational presentations and informational activities, and participate in outreach, engagement activities, events, meetings, and trainings as assigned.
Develop and maintain professional relationships, and represent The Arc of Adams County consistently with its organizational values and advocacy principles.
Maintain professional boundaries; participate in team meetings, case consultation, and advocacy discussions as assigned.
Consult with the Assistant Executive Director or Executive Director and seek leadership guidance on complex, high-risk, unusual, unresolved, legal, safety-related, ethical, or out-of-scope matters.
Share recurring barriers, systemic concerns, and emerging advocacy issues with leadership to support systems advocacy and organizational learning.
Act as a mandatory reporter.