Human Services Coordinator I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Framingham, MA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is offering a career growth opportunity for a Human Services Coordinator I (HSC I) at the Middlesex West Area Office in Framingham. The HSC I serves as the primary contact for individuals and families, building collaborative partnerships with them, guardians, provider agencies, and other stakeholders. This role involves coordinating and facilitating the development of Individual Service Plans (ISPs), monitoring service implementation by DDS-funded providers, and ensuring individuals receive appropriate services. The position requires arranging, organizing, and coordinating DDS-funded and generic support services based on individual needs, while maintaining communication with community services and other state agencies. The role allows for specialization in areas such as services for children, transition to adult services, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and adult services, with varying expectations and caseloads based on specialization. Specific roles include Children's SC, Self-Direction SC, ASD SC, Adult SC, and Transition SC, each with unique responsibilities. Additional responsibilities include monitoring safety and well-being, providing advocacy, facilitating team meetings, maintaining records, arranging crisis intervention, and assessing needs.

Requirements

• Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
• A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• Based on assignment, travel may be required.
• 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

• Ability to facilitate groups with diverse representation and function effectively as a member of a team.
• Knowledge and demonstrated skill in development and implementation of educational, and/or Individual Support Plan (ISP).
• Knowledge of the general field of developmental disabilities.
• Verbal and written communication of information and ideas so others will understand.
• Developing plans to accomplish work, and prioritizing and organizing one’s own work.
• Dealing respectively and professionally with the public, including receiving clients or others doing business with the agency in a sensitive and understanding manner.
• 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.
• Coordinates services for DDS-eligible children (3 -22) and their families.
• Assists caregivers with planning, accessing generic community-based supports, understanding SPED process and the identifying and referring to internal and external supports.
• Serves as a ‘support broker’ for individuals in the Participant Directed Program, helping draft/revise individual budgets, supporting participants in recruiting/interviewing/hiring workers, and problem-solving payroll and employer issues.
• Supports Autistic adults determined eligible for DDS services under our Community Developmental Disability Supports eligibility category.
• Facilitates the development of services & supports with provider agencies and other resources in response to the individuals needs and desires.
• Supports DDS eligible Individuals (and their families) identify, and access needed supports and the mechanism by which those supports will be arranged.
• Keeps in regular touch with the individual to ensure the supports they are receiving are meeting their needs, including visits to the service setting.
• Makes regular contact to ensure the individual is continuing to do well and has no outstanding support needs for supports from DDS.
• Works with Chapter 688 (better known as the "Turning 22" law) to provide a planning process for young adults with disabilities as they leave special education and transition into the adult service system.
• Develops and maintains close working relationships with local school authorities and facilitate a stable transition for individuals from school to adult services.
• Monitors 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 individuals’ 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 the supervisor and other members of the Area Office Management Team.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level