Support Professional, Family Support

Summary: Under the direction of the Director of Family Support or designate, this position is responsible for the provision of services to consumers in our After School/Work, Hotel Respite, Saturday child/adult, Recreation, or In-Home Respite programs. The Respite Worker must assure the program services provided are facilitated in a Person-Centered manner and meet the social, health, nutritional and recreational needs of the program consumers. Additionally, the services must meet the needs of the families which require respite services. The Respite Worker must assure the program services provided are facilitated in a Person-Centered manner and meet the social, health, nutritional and recreational needs of the program consumers. Additionally, the services must meet the needs of the families which require respite services.

Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent. At least 1 year experience working with persons with developmental disabilities required. Must be able to work independently and adhere to schedule needs. Valid driver’s license required.

This position is responsible for supportive oversight of Family Support, adult respite services, the agency Camp and to serve as a back-up as needed for the Assistant Director, Family Support. This position does not have staff reporting responsibilities and functions under direct supervision and instruction from the Director, Family Support Program Services.

Work hours: X to X Monday through Friday. Available as or “if” needed for emergency calls after hours. Must be willing to work week-ends and evening hours.

Successful completion of all required trainings and maintaining certifications required by The Arc, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, DCF/CSOC or other required certifications.

Support and monitoring of all program participants in daily needs including but not limited to; meal preparation and feeding, personal hygiene needs including toileting and bathing as required.

Provide and monitor appropriate recreational and social activities for all participants receiving respite services. To carry out all scheduled activities as planned by Family Support Director and Assistant Director Family Support. Provider will not transport individual in staff’s car to activities.

Maintain work areas, cleaning up and returning all equipment at end of shift.

Must fully cooperate in any investigations, internal or external including with the Agency’s licensees’, the Department of Developmental Disabilities, DCF/CSOC staff or any other duly authorized person concerning the care and service of individuals’ served.

Complete all required documentation as assigned and in accord with the standards of the agency, DCF/CSOC and the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Assure confidentiality of all consumer related information and records.

Provide for the health, safety and protection of rights of all consumers.

The agency may assign employees to any duties and to any work site it deems necessary in its’ sole discretion.

The incumbent must be able to maneuver persons in wheelchairs and persons who use other ambulation devices and at times, will be required to physically lift, transfer and or support persons with disabilities. Must be able to apply appropriate physical intervention techniques, when required, in accord with agency policy.

Must be able to intervene in crisis situations and implement crisis management techniques in accord with agency policy and procedure.

This position may require driving an agency vehicle or driving a personal vehicle in pursuit of position responsibilities and will require proof of meeting the agency insurability requirements.

Attend staff and or industry conferences as assigned.

Support and assure close working relationships are maintained with other human services agencies.

Ensures a "customer first" approach for all projects and tasks.

As approved by the supervisor, may escort consumer to participate in community activities

Maintains confidentiality regarding consumer, his/her family, family activities, and any records pertaining to consumer which become known to the Worker.

Maintains alertness to signs of suspected child abuse; follows mandated child and elder abuse reporting laws.

Works a schedule which may incorporate providing services to multiple families, including during the evening, on weekends, or in the early morning.

Communicates professionally with consumers, guardians, parents, and others encountered in the course of work.

Prepares and submits required paperwork to supervisor in a timely manner.

Accurately maintains written records or notes.

Effectively and promptly communicates with supervisor in the event that situations arise for which the employee is unprepared or unsure how to proceed.

Immediately consults with supervisor in the event of an unusual occurrence; prepares or supports preparation of Special Incident Reports within 24 hours of occurrence of such an event.

Communicate with parents/guardians in a professional manner and within guidelines established for the program.

Fosters positive communications and professional relationships with both families and practitioners.

Effectively works to resolve conflict in a professional and positive manner while supporting agency policies & procedures with ALL family members/guardians/practitioners.

Interacts with children served in an age-appropriate manner that assures dignity, self-determination, social integration & individual development opportunities for all children and families.

Establishes rapport, develops trust & mutual respect with children, families, co-workers. This includes work in the pre-school readiness program.

Communicates in a positive, constructive and professional manner with all supervisors, administrators, peers, co-workers and others. Employee voices opinions and differences in a professional manner and develops cooperative and productive relationships with other department staff at all levels.

Has the ability to remain calm in any crisis situation; de-escalates crises effectively; identifies potential crises situation & attempts to prevent them.

Effectively participates in discussions, planning meetings, interdepartmental meetings & workshops. Exhibits “team player” mentality & is courteous to the point of view of others.

Must maintain confidentiality of information gained through position responsibilities.

Perform in an exemplary fashion, identifies areas which can be improved & provides input to resolve problems & improve service delivery.

A strong initiative, creative approach to responsibilities and ability to work independently with accountability necessary.

The Arc of Union County will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship for The Arc of Union County.

(Physical Demands)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

The Arc of Union County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Work Environment – The agency offers safety trainings such as Universal Precautions/Infectious diseases, COVID-19 Education and Safety Practices among others to promote a safe environment for all employees and service recipients including visitors. Personal Protective Equipment and necessary supplies such as disinfectants are supplied to all employees free or charge. Each employee is responsible to complete offered trainings and implement the health and safety protocols and mitigation practices consistently.

The agency may assign employees to any duties and to any work site it deems necessary in its sole discretion.

You are required to communicate abrupt absence directly to your supervisor/operation management and verbally handover (not necessary physically) programs to your supervisor for the smooth operation of programs and the safety and wellbeing of the service recipients. This position requires four (4) weeks’ notice prior to leaving or resignation.

Must fully cooperate with all investigations, inspections, etc. internally and externally including full cooperation with the DHS, the DDD or any other duly authorized person regarding the care and service given to individuals served by this agency.