PROGRAM COORDINATOR

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

Melwood’s Vision:  A world where people with disabilities are fully included

Melwood’s Mission:  Melwood Advocates for and empowers individuals with disabilities
to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community

INTRODUCTION

The Program Coordinator, is responsible for the implementation, instruction and coordination of the Community Connector program within the Community Support Services (CSS) Division. The Program Coordinator, supports community learning support staff and assigned group of individuals to promote independence, develop/maintain work readiness skills and develop/research new community activities sites.  The Program Coordinator, ensures that there is community integration and skills development in each individual’s experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Create and implement a community activity plan, including monitoring the activities and services provided by community connectors in relation to scheduled goals and objectives of the individuals served. Facilitate the development of program schedules with staff, including activities and training programs that promote community, social and employment skills that lead to community integration experience and/or job opportunities. Assist with community/ job development activities for people with disabilities including person centered planning, job customizing, training and supports for successful job match and job retention. Provide guidance, support to staff in preparing monthly calendar schedules. Respond to inquiries/requests from persons served, family, caregivers, peers and all other internal and external customers in a timely manner. Maintain a list of community resources for persons with disabilities. Provide immediate support in crisis intervention in areas such as, but not limited to immediate off-site intervention, problem analysis and initial recommendations. Manages staff time off requests and ensures staff coverage for individuals served.  Must fill in as a direct support professional when needed.  Work in collaboration with Case Managers for Community Connectors to ensure program quality of the Individuals served.  Maximize individuals’ participation in the community and promote opportunities for persons served be successful community interaction and integration. Ensure individuals’ fundamental rights (COMAR 10.22.04) and satisfactory conclusion to incident reports in a timely manner Assist as a facilitator at team meetings as needed; arranges interim team meetings as indicated. Distributes data collection sheets to direct support staff to track and support behavior management.       Ensure and/or provides applicable training for direct support staff to aid in facilitating individual’s goals; Send Individual Plan meeting documentation to team members as required. Develop new volunteer opportunities in the community for individuals in the Community Connector program. Adhere to State of Maryland DDA, CARF and Melwood policies and procedure's participate in interdisciplinary team and staff meetings. Adhere to and further the mission of Melwood by creating a supportive environment for participants and staff. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The incumbent is supervised by the Program Director, Community Support Services.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Flexible schedule will be required due to varying hours.  Must be able to stand/walk 50% of work time, sit and/or drive 50%.  Must be able to lift, carry, push and/or pull 40 pounds.  Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach.  All of these requirements are necessary in order to supervise and assist individuals with disabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in special education, social work, psychology or related field preferred and three (3) years’ experience working with people with disabilities required. Must be certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid.  Demonstrated ability in providing support in a respectful manner that meets the various needs of individuals served and previous teaching or training experience required.