[Jobs] wanted: Independent Living Specialist, Maryland

[Rovig, Lorraine]

________________________________

From: LPovinelli at aol.com [mailto:LPovinelli at aol.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:51 PM
Subject: Position Announcement  - Independent Living Specialist



 


 


 


 


óó Position Announcement óó


Independent Living Specialist


 

Background: Independence Now, Inc. is a non-profit organization created by and for people with disabilities. We are a resource and advocacy center that promotes independent living and equal access for people with all types of disabilities. We are looking for Independent Living Specialists to work directly with people with disabilities. Specialists provide information and referrals, facilitate educational consumer groups, assist individuals with services coordination, advocate for community integration and disability rights, and encourage independence in thought and action by people with disabilities.

 

Responsibilities: The Independent Living Specialist will assist individuals with disabilities in fully participating in their communities by performing duties as follows:

 

~ Respond to information and referral calls and requests for assistance

~ Create individualized Independent Living Plans with consumers to clarify goals

~ Provide peer support and independent living skills training 

~ Meet with consumers in the community to provide socialization, information, training, support, and to encourage active community participation 

~ Facilitate educational groups of consumers to teach life and job skills and to provide information about disability rights, issues, and services

~ Participate in individual, group, and systems advocacy activities to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities

~ Visit local nursing facilities to inform residents of their community living options 

~ Develop positive relationships and maintain communication with nursing facility social workers 

~ Create partnerships with community members, churches, social service agencies, local businesses, and other professionals 

~ Research, create, and maintain a current database of community resources including housing, home modifications, entitlements, assistive technology, health care service providers, and vocational and educational resources 

~ Foster trust and involvement among consumers to recruit volunteers and increase membership

Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field and at least 2 years of work experience in social services. Candidates should be outgoing, organized, and efficient with strong verbal and written communication skills and possess the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and knowledge of community resources are preferred. A successful candidate must be able to travel in the community up to 30% of the time for trainings, outreach, consumer meetings, and advocacy opportunities. A willingness to grow and learn is also highly desirable. All applicants should have a disability or life experience with disability.

 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by February 23rd to:

 

Lorraine Nawara, Director of Independent Living Services

Independence Now, Inc.

6811 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 504

Riverdale, MD 20737

Fax: (301) 277-4587

E-mail: LNawara at innow.org <mailto:LNawara at innow.org> 


Visit our web site at:  www.innow.org




________________________________

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From:
LPovinelli at aol.com [mailto:LPovinelli at aol.com]
Sent:
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:51 PM
Subject:
Position Announcement 
 - 
Independent Living Specialist
cid:X.MA1.1172116261 at aol.com
 
 
 
ó
ó
Position Announcement
ó
ó
Independent Living Specialist
 
Background
: Independence Now, Inc. is a non-profit organization created by and for people with disabilities. We are a resource and advocacy center that promotes independent living and equal access for people with all types of disabilities
.
We are
looking for Independent Living Specialists to work directly with people with disabilities. Specialists provide information and referrals, facilitate educational consumer groups, assist individuals with services coordination, advocate for community integration and disability rights, and encourage independence in thought and action by people with disabilities.
 
Responsibilities
: The Independent Living Specialist will assist individuals with disabilities in fully participating in their communities by performing duties as follows:
 
~ Respond to information and referral calls and requests for assistance
~ Create individualized Independent Living Plans with consumers to clarify goals
~ Provide peer support and independent living skills training
~ Meet with consumers in the community to provide socialization, information, training, support, and to encourage active community participation
~ Facilitate educational groups of consumers to teach life and job skills and to provide information about disability rights, issues, and services
~ Participate in individual, group, and systems advocacy activities to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities
~ Visit local nursing facilities to inform residents of their community living options
~ Develop positive relationships and maintain communication with nursing facility social workers
~ Create partnerships with community members, churches, social service agencies, local businesses, and other professionals
~ Research, create, and maintain a current database of community resources including housing, home modifications, entitlements, assistive technology, health care service providers, and vocational and educational resources
~ Foster trust and involvement among consumers to recruit volunteers and increase membership
Other duties as assigned
 
Qualifications
: The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field and at least 2 years of work experience in social services. Candidates should be outgoing, organized, and efficient with strong verbal and written communication skills and possess the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and knowledge of community resources are preferred. A successful candidate must be able to travel in the community up to 30% of the time for trainings, outreach, consumer meetings, and advocacy opportunities. A willingness to grow and learn is also highly desirable.
All applicants should have a disability or life experience with disability
.
 
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by February 23
rd
to:
 
Lorraine
Nawara, Director of Independent Living Services
Independence Now, Inc.
6811 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 504
Riverdale
,
MD
20737
Fax: (301) 277-4587
E-mail:
mailto:LNawara at innow.org
LNawara at innow.org
Visit our web site at:
 
www.innow.org
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaol%2Ecom
AOL.com
.
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