Human Services Coordinator I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Waltham, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is offering a career growth opportunity for a motivated individual to join our Charles River West office in Waltham as a Human Services Coordinator I (HSC I). The HSC I serves as the primary contact for individuals and families, building respectful and collaborative partnerships with individuals, families, guardians, provider agencies, and other stakeholders. The role involves coordinating and facilitating the development of Individual Service Plans (ISP), monitoring the implementation of services from DDS-funded providers, and ensuring individuals receive appropriate services by arranging, organizing, and coordinating DDS-funded and generic support services. This role also involves maintaining communication and outreach with community services and other state agencies. The Service Coordinator role allows for specialization to meet the needs of DDS-eligible individuals who are Children (under 18), transitioning to adult services, live with Autism (with or without an intellectual disability), or are adults. The expectations and caseloads vary based on specialization. The specific Service Coordinator roles currently being hired for include Autism Service Coordinators (ASD SC), Children's Service Coordinators (Children's SC), Adult Service Coordinators (Adult SC), Transition Service Coordinators (Transition SC), and Self-Direction Service Coordinators (Self-Direction SC).

Requirements

At least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work.
A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
Incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
Based on assignment as Qualified Intellectual Disabled Professionals, within the Department of Developmental Services, a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, physical education or other a related field is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working Autism is preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinates and facilitates the development of Individual Service Plan (ISP) for individuals on assigned caseload.
Monitors the implementation of services provided by DDS funded residential, day and support program providers.
Ensures individuals on caseload receive appropriate services through arranging, organizing, and coordinating the Department of Developmental Services funded and generic support services in response to individual’s needs.
Maintains communication and outreach with community services and other state agencies.
Facilitates the development of services & supports with provider agencies and other resources in response to the individuals needs and desires (ASD SC).
Assists caregivers with planning, accessing generic community-based supports, understanding SPED process and the identifying and referring to internal and external supports (Children's SC).
Identifies and accesses needed supports and the mechanism by which those supports will be arranged (Adult SC).
Keeps in regular touch with the individual to ensure the supports they are receiving are meeting their needs, including visits to the service setting (Adult SC).
Makes regular contact to ensure the individual is continuing to do well and has no outstanding support needs for supports from DDS (Adult SC).
Provides a planning process for young adults with disabilities as they leave special education and transition into the adult service system (Transition SC).
Develops and maintains close working relationships with local school authorities and facilitate a stable transition for individuals from school to adult services (Transition SC).
Serves as a ‘support broker,’ helping the participant draft/revise their individual budget, supporting participants as needed in recruiting/interviewing/hiring workers, and problem-solving payroll and employer issues between participants and their employees (Self-Direction SC).
Monitoring the safety and well-being of assigned individuals.
Providing advocacy in human, civil and legal rights.
Facilitating team meetings; monitoring follow-through on team recommendations while maintaining individual’s records and relevant computer databases.
Maintaining regular and consistent contact with individuals, service providers and families.
Arranging and/or providing crisis intervention for individuals as needed; assessing needs and making recommendations for follow up planning, as well as providing information to supervisor and other members of the Area Office Management Team.