Human Services Coordinator I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Worcester, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is offering a career growth opportunity for a Human Services Coordinator I (HSC I) in the Worcester Area Office. The HSC I serves as the primary contact for individuals and families, building collaborative partnerships with stakeholders. This role involves coordinating and facilitating Individual Service Plan (ISP) development, monitoring services from DDS-funded providers, and ensuring individuals receive appropriate support. The position allows for specialization in working with children, those transitioning to adult services, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and adults. The Adult HSC I role focuses on identifying and accessing supports, assessing waiver eligibility, and ensuring supports meet individual needs through regular contact and site visits. The ASD HSC I has similar responsibilities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Self-Direction HSC I acts as a 'support broker' for individuals in the Participant Directed Program, assisting with budgets, hiring, and payroll issues. Additional responsibilities include monitoring safety and well-being, providing advocacy, facilitating team meetings, maintaining records, arranging crisis intervention, and reporting to supervisors.

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 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 (for Qualified Intellectual Disabled Professionals assignment).
• Must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment (if travel is required and a motor vehicle is used).

Nice To Haves

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

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.
• 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- this includes visits to the service setting to meet with the individual and observe their support firsthand.
• Makes regular contact to ensure the individual is continuing to do well and has no outstanding support needs for supports from DDS.
• 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.
• 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.

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