Sr CSC SDP Participant Choice Specialist

Inland Regional Center • San Bernardino, CA

9d • $72,062 - $96,570 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Program Manager Self Determination Program, is responsible for supporting individuals and families served by Inland Regional Center (IRC) to gain an understanding of and access to Participant Directed Services (PDS) and the Self Determination Program (SDP). The Participant Choice Specialist is a pivotal point of contact for regional center staff and the community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Special Education, or related field required.
• Two years of professional experience working with developmentally disabled consumers.
• Two years of case management experience required to provide services to special needs population.
• Experience working with families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Must have good client interview skills, assessment skills, and excellent people skills, and be available to make community contacts.
• Knowledge of Participant Directed Services and Self Determination legislation and best practices.
• Exceptional organizational skills as evidenced by ability to work independently in determining priorities and completion of assignments.
• Ability to multi-task, work well under pressure, prioritize, and produce within deadlines.
• Full use of an automobile, possession of a valid California driver's license and liability insurance for the minimum amount prescribed by law or ability to provide for independent transportation.
• Must have and maintain a safe driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Special Education, or related field preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide information to regional center staff, individuals served and families about all participant directed service options, including state and federal regulations that determine allowable and non-allowable use of SDP funds.
• Conduct training for regional center staff, including Service Coordinators and those involved in the fair hearing process, as needed, about the principles of self-determination, how services are obtained through SDP and the rights of SDP participants. Training may be provided in conjunction with the local volunteer advisory committee. [Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code section 4685.8(r)(9)]
• Meet SDP enrollment targets and benchmarks. [W&I Code section 4685.8(r)(1)]
• Expand awareness of participant directed service options through efforts to identify concerns and barriers to enrollment, reduce identified barriers by providing information and training to individuals served, families and providers about participant directed service options.
• Develop and implement an outreach and training plan for diverse communities and obtain input from stakeholders about the effectiveness of the outreach, training, and other strategies. The plan shall encompass information about all participant directed service options, including SDP. [W&I Code section 4685.8(r)(2)]
• Complete additional review of participant budgets which exceed a specified threshold and use the information in aggregate to identify additional training, program guidance, and verification of compliance with state and federal requirements. [W&I Code section 4685.8(r)(5)]
• Work with eligible individuals served and their families to apply for Medi-Cal. [W&I Code section 4685.8(r)(4)]
• Function as the main point of contact for questions and training related to PDS and the SDP both internally and externally.
• Develop and conduct all SDP orientation and training for individuals served, families, staff, vendors, and community partners.
• Initiate communication and respond to individuals served and families, service providers and outside agencies on topics related to PDS and SDP including program description, service standards and generic resources.
• Work in collaboration with Service Coordinators to obtain updates on participant’s understanding and use of PDS and SDP. Identify barriers and create solutions to resolve them.
• Provide subject matter support including technical assistance, guidance and 1 to 1 consultation and showing through demonstration, the process or procedures to support transition in PDS and the SDP.
• Maintain necessary records on each program to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines, including monthly reports to DDS, Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee and Board of Directors.
• Create and maintain database information regarding all PDS POS authorizations and utilization and all persons transitioning to SDP, POS authorizations and utilization of SDP services.
• Serve as a liaison between agency departments to streamline workflow and procedures to improve transition and implementation of PDS and SDP services.
• Work closely with Financial Management Service (FMS) Person Centered Planners, and Independent Facilitators to streamline processes, and existing systems.
• Shape language describing the program and reduce agency jargon, abbreviations, and remove technical language to support mutual understanding.
• Develop internal processes and protocols related to PDS and SDP to ensure continuity of service and compliance with regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure individuals served under the SDP are enrolled in the SDP Waiver, if they qualify.
• Collaborate closely with contractors awarded grants, and engage community outreach through fairs, electronic communications, social media, and events with partnering agencies.
• Create and organize trainings and other events related to PDS and SDP.
• Develop and advise IRC webmaster to manage the IRC PDS and SDP Website Pages.
• Engage in Person Centered Planning meetings with individuals, families, independent facilitators as needed.
• Participate in the development, review, and certification of individual budgets and spending plans for Individual Program Plans of SDP participants as needed.
• Function as liaison and partner to the Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee (SDAC) and its members. Attend, assist, and coordinate the Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee meetings including posting meeting agenda on IRC Website and distribution of other meeting notices and with managing any SDP Program Allocations.
• Uphold privacy and confidentiality of Protected Health Information.
• Compile statistical information and make numerical summary reports.
• Apply relevant laws, regulations, requirements, and policy standards
• Provide timely and responsive customer service, communicating with others respectfully and effectively in person on the phone, by email and in writing.
• Respond to emails and phone calls from community members and others regarding PDS and SDP.
• Maintains respectful and clear communication with supervisor and coworkers.
• Work alternative hours as required.
• Attend all meetings, trainings, and conferences as assigned.
• Use office equipment appropriately and keep it in good repair.
• Keep work area neat and orderly.
• Observe all safety rules and comply with IRC’s Injury and Illness Prevention Plan and Workplace Violence Prevention Plan.
• Ability to handle a hybrid work environment consisting of working in the office and remotely at home while maintaining work productivity and efficiency; communicate via telephone calls, video conference calls, emails, and chat rooms.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others. Perform as a member of the team, answer questions, share expertise and contribute to the harmony of the team.
• Handle change well and be flexible and adaptable in dealing with interruptions, new priorities and new assignments.
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Keep manager informed of pending work, work in progress and problems encountered.
• Utilize agency’s IT systems as assigned, maintaining security and following agency’s protocol and procedures, rules, and requirements.
• Comply with and ensure program compliance with agency’s Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Assure that consumers’ rights and dignity are maintained in the provision of services.
• Perform different or additional work as assigned.

Benefits

• GENEROUS BENEFITS PACKAGE AND EMPLOYEE PERKS: To view our benefits package and employee perks, please click HERE.
• SIGN-ON BONUS! $250 sign-on bonus after the completion of 90 days of employment at IRC with work performance in good standing.
• $500 sign-on bonus after the completion of 6 months of employment at IRC with work performance in good standing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level