RIPIN
Full-time, $20-22/hour
Bilingual Spanish Required
Experience with Families with Special Needs
Job Summary:
Community Health Worker (CHW) provides peer-to-peer support to families and children with special health care needs; completes family assessments; works with family to determine family goals and implement plan for achieving goals; links families to an array of supports and resources; provides input regarding services and programs in RI and works to mitigate system barriers to accessing services; encourages families to be an active voice in making changes to systems to better meet the needs of families and children with special health care needs.
Essential Functions:
- Provide Care Coordination of services and supports, while educating parents and primary caregivers in the navigation of systems of care for their CSHCN, by promoting person-centered care and medical home model.
- Outreach to referred families within agency guidelines of two business days of receiving referral.
- With each family, conduct a Family Assessment and develop an individualized Family Care Plan within 45 days of referral or sooner, depending on the needs of the child/family
- Identify family strengths, concerns and natural supports; utilize motivational interviewing skills and culturally sensitive methods to support members in achieving their goals.
- Support each family in finding geographically convenient supports and services; Collaborate with other service providers, helping families make necessary connections
- Assist families as they transition to independence /case closure; provide follow up support as needed
- Assist in statewide system analysis, planning and coordination with state agencies, state and local boards, community-based organizations, and community rehabilitation programs.
- Actively participate as effective team member in assigned agency meetings and team meetings. Make constructive use of individual and peer supervision/one-on-one meetings.
- Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to provide peer perspective as an individual or family member of an individual with a disability, chronic condition, and/or special health care need
- Advanced knowledge of special health care and education systems in RI and other human service systems supporting families of children with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs
- Problem-solving skills to facilitate empowering experiences and positive outcomes with families
- High level of interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills to interact on a professional level with our diverse stakeholders, including parents and professionals
- Ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable manner
- Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
- Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and programs
- Proficiency in computer and internet navigation (online documents, search engine, government websites), as well as computer skills to maintain and update program related materials, reports and database
- Ability to effectively carryout the mission and philosophy of RIPIN and a willingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively with multiple constituents
- Ability to present to small and large audiences that include consumers, stakeholders, and professionals on RIPIN programs’ operations, mission, and focus
Education and Experience:
Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and Spanish required
High school diploma/GED required; Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health or related field strongly preferred
Experience supporting families and individuals with special health care and/or educational needs required
Demonstrated life experience as a consumer, parent or family member of a consumer with special health care and/or special education needs
Demonstrated knowledge of RIPIN’s programs, mission and vision
Experience working with and outreaching to diverse populations
Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date