.	Independent Living Specialist Job Description

Duties, Responsibilities and Functions:

I. Service provisions:

• Conduct outreach activities to identify Consumers and service needs.

• Maintain existing resources and update resource file by networking with community agencies.

• Maintain caseload of Consumers requesting information and referral only.

• Oversee all advocacy efforts, individual and systematic.

• Teach andlor assist Consumers in improving independent living skills including but not limited to: financial management, social and recreational skills, cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, household cleaning and laundry, transportation skills and self-advocacy.

• Conduct Independent Living Evaluations and make recommendations for increased independence.

• Provide case management services where appropriate, including but not limited to: public benefits, counseling and exploring other community resources that may benefit Consumers.

• Set-up and maintain support groups.

• Provide services to consumers on the waiting lists for Core services.

• Interview all peer supporter applicants.

• Meet at least monthly with Peer Supporters.

• Knowledgeable of all programs and services offered by RIL.

II. Participate in program development:

• Maintain required records.

• Participate in job-related training, staff meetings and other appropriate meetings.

• Explore collaborative efforts with other service providers.

• Be alert to potential issues and opportunities that may affect the agency and ensure that proactive positions are taken

III. Provide internal case management:

• Complete intake assessments on new consumer referrals.

• Complete all pre-applications for Medicaid Single Service Waiver.

• Complete all necessary documentation.

IV. Community Outreach:

• Attend parish events, board meetings and town meetings.

• Establish and maintain a contact person in parish office.

• Establish and maintain a consumer base for each core service.

• Ensure that the agency has a visible and effective public image by regular use of media and presence at all appropriate public functions.

• Establish and maintain contaci with key individuals in local government, other non-profit agencies and the business sector to further agency’s public image and reputation.

• Obtain disability statistics in each parish

• Conduct outreach presentations to promote the peer support program.

V. Perform any and all duties deemed necessary and appropriate assigned by your supervisor.

V. Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human service field plus two years experience in such a field. Years of experience in a human service field might be substituted for the bachelor’s degree. Experience will be taken into consideration. Graduate level course credit in the human service field totaling 30 hours or more may be substituted for one year of the experience.

• Personal experience with disability preferred.

• Must have a sincere conviction that people with disabilities have the right to full participation in their community, to live where and how they choose.

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work effectively with agency staff, government officials and the general public to ensure consumer participation in the community.

• Must have a general working knowledge of generic and specialized community resources available to people with disabilities.

• Must have the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• An insured vehicle and a valid Louisiana driver’s license are required.

Back