Community Connections Specialist

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Partnership for People with Disabilities (PPD) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a part-time, grant-funded Community Connections Specialist to join the Center for Family Involvement (CFI). This role focuses on supporting families of children and adults with disabilities by connecting them with information, services, and community supports. The specialist will also engage in outreach to organizations for potential partnerships to better meet the needs of families with disabilities. The PPD has over 40 years of experience as Virginia’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Training, and Dissemination. The CFI specifically works with families to build their skills as advocates, mentors, and leaders.

Requirements

Have a minimum of 2 years of experience supporting people with disabilities or special health care needs and their families.
Demonstrated experience building partnerships with American Indian/Indigenous communities, Tribal Nations, or Indigenous-serving organizations to support families.
Knowledge of tribal health systems, community resources, and barriers that may affect families' access to health care, developmental services, and other supports.
Possess working knowledge of disability service delivery system, particularly with local Tribal associations, groups and organizations, and other disability service providers.
Practice effective collaboration, emotional intelligence, and teaming skills.
Be self-directed, self-motivated, organized, and able to multitask.
Have good computer skills (experienced in using current technology to communicate and prepare materials, including website navigation and data entry).

Nice To Haves

Personal or familial experience with disabilities

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations, family-led organizations, healthcare providers, disability organizations, schools, and other partners to improve access to information, supports, and services for families of children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs.
Conducts community asset mapping to identify organizations, resources, and informal support networks serving families across Virginia, particularly Tribal communities.
Builds and sustains partnerships with Virginia Tribal Nations and Indigenous-serving organizations to strengthen disability awareness and access to family support and navigation services.
Represents the Center for Family Involvement (CFI) and the Partnership for People with Disabilities (PPD) in community meetings, trainings, and outreach activities to increase awareness of disability resources, family leadership opportunities, and available services.
Provides individualized information, resource navigation, and peer support to families of children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs, helping families understand available services, navigate complex systems, and access needed supports.
Uses family-centered engagement strategies to reach families who experience barriers to accessing services, especially families from Tribal communities.
Recruits, supports, and mentors volunteer Family Navigators and family leaders, including outreach to underrepresented communities, to expand peer-to-peer support and strengthen family engagement.
Maintains accurate documentation of family contacts, community partnerships, referrals, and outcomes using the CFI Salesforce data system.
Attends and participates as a team member in regular CFI and PPD staff meetings/trainings, including any regional meetings with other CFI staff.
Serves as a resource to the CFI and PPD by bringing Tribal/Indigenous perspectives, training, and technical assistance to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to organizational clients.
Assists, develops, and participates in programs or projects assigned by the supervisor.
Attends mandatory PPD, CFI, and/or VCU employee orientation and on-going staff development opportunities.
Participates in at least two face to face or virtual training, seminars, courses and/or a state conference every year to improve service knowledge and skills.
Actively participates in discussions by sharing experiences, training information, resources, etc. with other team members and identifying gaps in services and possible solutions.
Meets at least one time per month with the CFI director.