ADVOCATE COUNSELOR, CSS

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate and facilitate individualized plan activities that reflect the desire of persons served while ensuring compliance with applicable DDA regulations. Initiate person-centered planning activities and assist persons served to present desired goals and services at annual team meetings or other venues.
2. Ensure that service funding plans (DDA contract with provider agencies) reflect services that will successfully support persons served.
3. Identify and communicates strengths and area of improvement for individuals and possible methods of enhancing strengths and minimizing weaknesses, utilizing progress notes and/or other assessment related tools and/or records.
4. Respond to inquiries/requests from persons served, family, caregivers, peers and all other internal and external customers in a timely manner.
5. Provide immediate support in crisis intervention in areas such as, but not limited to immediate on-site intervention, problem analysis and initial recommendations.
6. Maximize individuals' participation in the team process and promote opportunities for persons served to lead their team meetings.
7. Assist in overseeing individual finances including Purchase of Service, Respite, Activity Money, Service Funding Plan, and Monthly Individual Financial Reports.
8. Ensure individuals' fundamental rights (COMAR 10.22.04) and satisfactory conclusion to incident reports in a timely manner.
9. Act as a facilitator at team meetings as needed; arranges interim team meetings as indicated. Complete post individualized plan development activities within 20 days of the meeting. Develop outcomes, goals, and strategies based upon planning results. Distribute data collection sheets and individualized plan meeting documentation to appropriate personnel. Ensure and/or provides applicable training for direct support staff.
10. Post Individual Plan development activities to be completed within 20 days of the meeting: Develop outcomes, goals, and strategies based upon planning results; Distribution of data collection sheets; Ensure and/or provides applicable training for direct support staff to aid in facilitating individual's goals; Send Individual Plan meeting documentation to team members as required.

11. Develop a working relationship with stakeholders that facilitate program outreach and ensures that the services offered remain relevant to the individuals' needs and the agency's mission.
12. Cover for CSLA Coordinators and/or works with CSLA Coordinators to find coverage as needed.
13. Complete appropriate management reports and departmental paperwork as assigned by the Sr. Manager, CSS.
14. Interview and makes hiring recommendations for applicants, completes staff evaluations and ensures staff received necessary training; Review and approve all disciplinary actions as necessary for assigned CSS staff members.
15. Adhere to State of Maryland DDA, CARF and Melwood policies and procedures.
16. Act as a liaison to family members/caregivers, external advocates (e.g. DSS Guardians, Resource Coordinators) and other service providers.
17. Actively participate in management team, interdisciplinary and staff meetings.
18. Adhere to and further the mission of Melwood by creating a supportive environment for participants and staff.
19. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The CSS Case Manager supervises assigned direct support professionals.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Assistant Director, CSS supervises the CSS Case Manager.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Must be able to stand or walk 90% of working time. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds; must be able to carry up to 30 pounds. Must be able to speak and to communicate with individuals and the public. Must possess good vision, depth perception and hearing as driving is a requirement.
QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS in Psychology, Special Education or related field and two (2) years experience working with the people with disabilities required. Must possess excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; Previous experience in supervising direct care staff; Working knowledge of and commitment to self-determination principles; Proven ability to foster community integration by building upon peoples' abilities, desires and dreams.

This position may require use of your personal vehicle to transport persons-served. All Melwood transportation policies must be followed and liability insurance on your personal vehicle must be in full force and effect while transporting for or on the behalf of Melwood. Melwood will reimburse for mileage pursuant to the Travel policy.