Independent Living Specialist

Mattie Rhodes Center (MRC) has been serving Kansas City youth and adults from diverse populations since 1894. MRC operates out of five locations in the Greater Kansas City area. Current programming focuses on mental health, domestic violence, family education and support, youth development, substance abuse, Latino cultural arts and arts education. Mattie Rhodes Center serves as a resource and advocate for Kansas City’s Latino community and operates with an annual budget of $2 million.
 
Responsibilities:            The primary responsibility of the independent living specialist includes providing connections to services for young adults diagnosed with a developmental disability.  Services include, but not limited to the delivery of liaison/advocacy/educational services, completing required agency documentation, and completing required direct service hours.  This position will participate in program development, coordination of activities, direct services and evaluation.  This position will also contribute to the implementation of the agency’s strategic initiatives.  This is a non- exempt position and flexibility in work schedule is required.
 
 PROGRAM COORDINATION & IMPLEMENTATION
Implements and maintains quality programming for individuals with developmental disabilities as guided by the standards set forth by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and the agency.
• Provide case management interventions, connections to services and to meaningful activities to assigned population of young adults with developmental disabilities. This includes linkage with appropriate services, monitoring client needs, assisting in progress towards individual goals and ongoing assessment of client needs.
• Responsible for facilitating the coordination of activities with participants with a focus on social inclusion and developing independent living skills. This includes transportation, budgeting, cooking, etc. This includes making travel arrangements and other logistical items associated with a successful activity.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and obtain a CDL for the purpose of transporting program participants to designated activities.
• Participates within professional development trainings.
• Participates in supervision and team meetings as required
  
 PROGRAM SUPPORT
Provide program related administrative duties and develop and maintain relationships within the community pertinent to meeting the needs of participants and the sustainability of programming.
• Engage in collateral contacts on behalf of clients and the agency with other community agencies and services.
• Establish partnerships with schools and other organizations to recruit participants and make connections for expanded opportunities. *Minimum number of program participants should be 30 contacts total per month. This number is calculated based on the combination of the caseloads of all program staff.
• Complete required client documentation in accordance with policies and procedures and in compliance with contractual agreements. Responsible for ensuring that key data (i.e. activity summaries, contact records etc.) is collected and maintained.
  
Qualifications:             
                                   
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
 Undergraduate degree with emphasis in human behavior and/or services.
Ability to communicate clearly in Spanish and English (preferred, but not required)
 
Knowledge of community and resources.
 Interest and affinity with population of primary focus.
Ability to prioritize and think clearly in crises.
Ability to communicate with supervisor, counselors and other professionals and to observe professional boundaries with both clients and other professionals.
 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Personal and/or professional history of involvement in the area of developmental disabilities.
            Experience with group management.
             One-year experience in human services.
             Knowledge of community and resources.
             Interest and affinity with population of primary focus.
            Ability to prioritize and think clearly in crises situations.
Ability to communicate with supervisor, counselors and other professionals Personal and/or professional history of involvement in the area of developmental disabilities preferred.
             Reliable personal transportation