Supported Living Instructor / SLS

AbleLight•Laguna Hills, CA

About The Position

The Supported Living Instructor (SLS Instructor) provides one-on-one instruction and training to help individuals develop independence and integrate successfully into the community. Instructors serve as advocates and liaisons for the people they support and build strong personal relationships with them. The role involves supervising and training individuals across employment preparation, communication, mobility, education, money management, self-help, safety, emergency preparedness, community-resource access, health and fitness, nutrition, home maintenance, self-advocacy, living options, and shopping. Support may include accompanying individuals to medical appointments and helping them follow medication storage and documentation procedures; instructors do not administer medication. Instructors may also assist with feeding through hand-over-hand supervision when needed. The position requires accurate notes about individual goals and objectives, communication with management and others in the individual’s support network, and independent judgment during services and emergencies. A cell phone is needed for communication and payroll-related tasks.

Requirements

At least six months of direct supervision experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general regulations.
Ability to write legible and accurate notes relating to an individual’s goals and objectives.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from consumers, circles of support, Regional Center representatives, and the general public.
Ability to speak English and any additional language needed by the individual being supported.
Ability to use independent judgment during services and emergencies.
Possess a cell phone for communication with management and payroll responsibilities.
A driver’s license with no negative motor vehicle record findings may be required depending on program and state requirements.
High school diploma or equivalent is preferred, but not required unless directed by state regulations.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience working with people with developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Provide supervision and training for employment preparation, including personal appearance and hygiene, job applications and interviews, networking, resumes, time management, communication, and workplace safety.
Support access to facilitated communication methods and train individuals to use telephones, cell phones, and the internet.
Train individuals to use public transportation, understand bus routes, obtain bus passes, and access related mobility resources.
Support enrollment in classes, financial-aid applications, school and class selection, attendance, and assignments; training may include parenting, family-life, and sexual education.
Teach budgeting, making change, purchasing, counting, and price comparisons.
Train individuals in hygiene and dressing appropriately for weather and environment; assist with bathing when needed.
Support safe community access, environmental awareness, public adaptation, and the development of natural supports.
Train individuals in stranger-danger awareness, identifying safe and unsafe environments, and street safety.
Teach emergency preparedness for events such as fires and earthquakes, including awareness of 911 and emergency services.
Help individuals access available public and community resources.
Support diet programs, exercise, medical conditions, healthy food choices, and nutrition needs.
Support individuals during medical appointments by communicating health or medication updates and concerns; train them in medication storage, documentation, and procedures. Do not administer medication.
Provide hand-over-hand supervision to assist with feeding when needed.
Train individuals to maintain a safe, clean living environment and complete laundry tasks.
Support self-advocacy, including awareness and use of rights, identifying rights violations, self-reliance, self-esteem, and empowerment.
Train and support individuals with accessing Medi-Cal benefits, applying for SSI and Medi-Cal, making and attending appointments, and immigration or citizenship processes.
Support grocery shopping in the community, healthy food choices, budgeting, and price comparisons.
Write legible and accurate notes relating to individual goals and objectives.
Communicate with management and complete payroll tasks using a cell phone, including viewing schedules, submitting time-off requests, and punching in and out.