Developmental Disabilities Transition Specialist

Yakima Health District•Yakima, WA

3d•$34 - $45•Hybrid

About The Position

The Developmental Disabilities Transition Specialist, reports to the Director of Community programs or their designate, plays a pivotal role in disseminating crucial information, provides education, and engages with the community. Focuses on individuals aged 14-21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Specialist collaborates with community stakeholders to enhance service system understanding, improves access, and optimizes outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. This role involves establishing partnerships with educational institutions, service providers, state agencies, and other relevant entities to ensure access to inclusive supported employment opportunities and successful post-transition employment. This position operates under general supervision, exercising informed judgment and discretion in addressing complex issues related to transition services. The incumbent is expected to stay updated on contemporary practices, legislative activities, and community resources pertinent to transition services and supported employment. They will be involved in designing projects and delivering presentations for professionals and families.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Services, or a closely related field. A degree in a Social Services field is advantageous. An equivalent amount of experience may substitute for education on a one for one basis.
Two years of experience working in health services, social services, education, policy development, or community engagement.
Two years of experience working with system partners, non-profit agencies, service providers, and community groups in the social service field.
Knowledge of principles of public health, including behavior change theory and community-level interventions, is necessary.
Familiarity with principles and techniques of community organizing, public speaking, and facilitation is required.
An understanding of program development, planning, and facilitation principles is necessary.
Knowledge of relevant RCWs and WACs, as well as HIPAA policies and procedures, is essential.
Familiarity with client-centered planning and outreach, population health, and the core functions of public health is necessary.
Be able to understand and follow guidelines and written instructions, adhere to office procedures and guidelines, and manage interruptions.
Be proficient in using appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to read, speak and write in English is required.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for effective engagement with stakeholders and the community.
Ability to maintain confidentiality related to a student's or family's situation and any information related to their developmental disability is crucial.
Proficiency in data gathering, evaluation, and drawing logical conclusions is necessary for effective program evaluation and improvement.
Capacity for independent work under limited supervision, with effective organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, is vital for successful program management.
Ability to build and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and entities is necessary for effective collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to adjust methodologies to meet the needs of students and families, particularly those requiring additional support, is essential for successful program implementation.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively and innovatively to develop new procedures, methods, or approaches, as needed, is necessary for effective program management and improvement.
Strong advocacy skills and the ability to act as an advocate for efficient and effective services for marginalized and vulnerable populations are necessary for promoting equitable and high-quality service delivery.
Must be able to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within 30 days of employment and possess auto insurance, or to be able to demonstrate the ability to travel throughout the county on occasion.
Ability to satisfactorily complete a DDA background investigation including a criminal records history.
The successful candidate must prove or obtain immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella diseases within ninety (90) days of employment.
Must be current with Tdap (pertussis) immunization within ninety (90) days of employment.
Willingness to become a mandated reporter.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain professional relationships with 14 or more school districts in Yakima County to facilitate connections to post-graduation/adult services for DDA-eligible students.
Conduct outreach and education for families and schools about the Job Foundation, providing comprehensive information on available resources and support services.
Review and approve Individual Employment (IE), Career Interest (CI), and Community Discovery Services (CDS) requests through the AWA system, ensuring timely and accurate processing, and collaborate with service providers to ensure effective service delivery.
Prepare and disseminate informational materials, including flyers, mailings, and invitations, for outreach activities and events.
Participate actively in events and meetings related to developmental disabilities programs and services, both during regular hours and on evenings or weekends, as required.
Maintain consistent communication with families to guide them through the necessary steps to participate in the Job Foundation, addressing any queries or concerns they may have.
Monitor the local agencies' program work, ensuring compliance with established standards and protocols to protect client information.
Act as a key liaison and facilitate collaborative coordination of services and supports with other state agencies, including the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), to support individuals in accessing a comprehensive array of services during their transition from the school system to the community.
Engage with students and families to actively participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and decision-making processes related to selecting a suitable service provider.
Identify, contact, and provide regular outreach to all DDA-eligible transition-age youth and their families, aged 15 to 21, to ensure comprehensive support and service provision.
Develop and maintain rapport and collaboration with local transition programs, such as the ITN (Inner Transition Network), service providers, and other organizations, to foster coordinated efforts and ensure consistent, equitable, and high-quality service delivery, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.
Refer, connect, and coordinate training for DDA and other community services and support systems, as appropriate, to ensure comprehensive and holistic support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Conduct frequent monitoring of contracted qualified career path providers' transition programming, providing ongoing support and guidance to ensure effective service delivery and individual student success.
Assist in managing County-funded transition programming, overseeing the application process, conducting outreach to potential applicants, coordinating services, and approve billing, while closely tracking job stabilization and maintaining effective communication with Bridges providers and DVR.
Collaborate with the Developmental Disabilities Program Coordinator and Director to continuously evaluate program effectiveness and engage in program development to ensure the provision of high-quality, appropriate services.
Represent the County Developmental Disabilities Program in a professional and collaborative manner at community events and beyond, acting as the primary source for outreach and information to connect families to DDA services.
Actively participate in regional and statewide transition networks and planning meetings to promote collaboration and stay abreast of best practices related to transition and service delivery.
Design and implement projects, training sessions, and presentations for professionals, students, and families related to transition services, best practices for service delivery, and other pertinent topics related to supporting youth with developmental disabilities.
Plan and facilitate community events for community partners, students, families, and service providers to enhance understanding of transition services and promote engagement.
Attend training conferences relevant to the scope of work and stay updated on best practices, new system programming, legislative activities, and community resources and activities pertinent to transition services and supported employment.
Research contemporary practices and techniques in the field of transition services, contributing to the creation, editing, and maintenance of training manuals and literature on the topic.
Develop project-specific strategic plans and budgets to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
Provide additional administrative support to the Developmental Disabilities Program Coordinator and Director, as requested.
Write reports and correspondence as necessary to document program activities and outcomes.

Benefits

medical, dental, and life insurance (Public Employee Benefits Board)
participation in Washington State retirement system (DRS)
a generous annual, holiday, and sick leave package
Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage
Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS)
457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays and Sick Leave