Job Opening: Peer Advocate

Contact: Christina Walton, cwalton@ncci-online.com.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Peer Advocate will assist individuals transitioning from institutional settings to the community.

Peer Advocates are divided into four categories.

Peer Advocates are people who receive(d) home and community-based services to help them live in the community. Peer Advocates with Developmental Disabilities are people who receive(d) services from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Veteran Peer Advocates are veterans and/or military connected individuals with disabilities. Family Peer Advocates are family members or loved ones of people who live(d) in an institutional setting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Accept referrals from Transition Specialists and follow through with the process of guiding interested individuals in institutions to transition into the community. This includes: contact the consumer to arrange a face-to-face meeting within ten business days of receiving the referral, offer objective information on home-based and community based services available to residents who are considering transition back to the community, share personal experiences as appropriate, provide support, answer questions and concerns, and develop a plan for follow up.

2. If consumer agrees to a referral to the Transition Center, complete referral information within two business days of face-to-face visit and contact the Transition Team.

3. Follow-up with residents during and after their transition to homes and community based settings and help facilitate service delivery.

4. Maintain relationships with discharge planners, transition advocates, social workers, administrators, nurses and other professionals at local facilities to encourage referrals.

5. Assist in developing written materials for nursing home residents and his/her legal guardian.

6. Regularly communicate with residents and write contact notes.

7. Identify and provide information on barriers that impede transition from institutions to community living and suggest next steps in resolving them.

8. Inform Transition Specialists of all the barriers and challenges experienced during meeting with residents, as well as in dealing with discharge planners or other nursing home personnel.

9. Attends Agency's in-service training and unit meetings as well as any other agency-related activities.

10. The Open Doors program covers several counties; therefore the Peer Advocate should be willing and able to travel.

11. Perform other program-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Good communication skills; ability to actively listen and to share personal reflections about your own experience, when appropriate

• Knowledge of community resources that facilitate transition from institutional to community living

• Good computer skills

• Ability to do research and provide objective information.

• Ability to work independently, as well as take directions.

• Ability to complete paperwork in a timely manner.

• Successful completion of the mandatory peer training.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Have experience with utilizing home and community based services for people with disabilities and seniors or have experience in nursing home placement.

• Good understanding of homecare and community based services.

• Personal experience with a disability; specific experience with transition from nursing home to community preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The duties are representative of the essential functions of this position. Operational flexibility is required to meet sudden and unpredictable needs. Reliable transportation is needed, as travel is required of the position.

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For more information or to apply, email Christina Walton, MFP Transition and Housing Specialist, North Country Center for Independence, Plattsburgh, New York. cwalton@ncci-online.com

Job Opening: Open Doors Transition Specialist

Job Announcement in bold white letters on a purple background

Open Doors Transition Specialist

The North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Transition Specialist to assist eligible Medicaid recipients to move from institutional settings into the community.

Salary: $32,000 a year

Job Type: Full time, temporarily remote

Click here to see the full description and apply online through Indeed

Job Opening at NCCI: OHS Housing Specialist

The North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) is seeking a Housing Specialist for a statewide program to provide housing subsidies to individuals transitioning from institutional settings to the community. The Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) program is a project of the New York Association on Independent Living funded by the NYS Department of Health.

For further information and to apply for this position, click the link below:

OHS Housing Specialist

Job Opening: Housing Specialist

The North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) is seeking a Housing Specialist for a statewide pilot program to provide housing subsidies to individuals transitioning or diverting from institutional settings to the community. The Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) program is a project of the New York Association on Independent Living funded by the NYS Department of Health.

 

Responsibilities:

 

• Identify housing opportunities for individuals who are in need of housing in order to leave a nursing home, as well as for those who have unstable housing after leaving a nursing home.

• Assist eligible Olmstead Housing Subsidy participants through all steps necessary for enrollment, including: filling out housing applications, obtaining household goods and/or support for moving expenses, arranging unit inspections, etc.  

• Work with applicants and/or his/her Transition Specialist, Service Coordinator (SC), Nursing Home Discharge Planner, Care Manager (CM), natural support, or advocate in order to ensure that a support services plan is in place for program enrollment.  

• Conduct follow-up after subsidy is initiated including but not limited to verifying occupancy of unit and continued eligibility for program.

• Work to identify landlords, public housing, and private housing in the region which may be suitable for individuals enrolled in the OHS program in the future.

• Maintain a list of available housing in the region, including degree of accessibility, location, proximity to services, and rental costs.  

• Track and report on all activities using the statewide project database.

 

Qualifications:

 

• Professional experience in housing, community organizing, Independent Living, long term care, and/or disability rights strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of state and local housing policies, practices, laws and issues impacting seniors and people with disabilities preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Excellent organizational and computer skills; energetic self-starter; ability to travel in NYC and possibly nearby regions.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may be substituted.

• Personal experience with disability a plus.

 

Salary: $28,000 per year (full time position) and benefits package available

 

PLEASE E - MAIL A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO:

Robert Poulin at robert@ncci-online.com

 

We conform to all laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.