HABILITATION PLAN COORDINATOR

Definition

Under a supervisory official in the Department of Human Services or the Department of Children and Families is responsible for or assists in the development and implementation of Individual Habilitation Plans for a designated number of individuals; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Supervises the assembly and distribution of documents for meetings of the interdisciplinary team.
• Ensures that parent or guardian is notified of the opportunity to participate in the development and review of Individual Habilitation Plans (IHPs) for assigned individuals.
• May chair meetings of the interdisciplinary committee to develop and review the IHPs of individuals assigned to their caseload.
• Compiles and issues a master IHP for each individual assigned.
• Coordinates, monitors, and audits the individual's progress in following the IHP.
• Recommends, approves, and monitors IHPs through the interdisciplinary team and sees that these changes are carried out.
• Keeps abreast of federal and state regulations as they pertain to IHPs.
• Ensures that psychiatrists, physicians, psychologists, speech/physical/occupational therapists, nurses, and residential and day program staff involved in the development and review of the caseload IHP Plan are notified to participate in the IHP process.
• Recommends, approves, and monitors the residential program and placement of assigned caseload through the interdisciplinary team and ensures that such changes are carried out.
• Visits assigned individuals residing in alternate living arrangements.
• Performs monitoring and assessment of each assigned individual's residential, program, training, behavior, social, and health needs.
• Ensures that each assigned individual receives necessary medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological services available from the department and other agencies as well as those generic services in the community.
• Follows the guardianship process for assigned caseload based on pertinent state statutes.
• Functions as assigned caseload advocate in meetings with groups and/or individuals who impact the individual's life.
• Investigates and follows up on any report of abuse, neglect, or incident which may impact the individual's well-being or cause negative public perception of the program; refers incidents or issues to investigating divisions within the Department of Children and Families, and/ or to the Ombudsman, police, adult protective services, and state licensing or regulatory agencies.
• Initiates and ensures processing of applications on behalf of each assigned individual for SSI, SSA, Medicaid, Medicare, and other benefits.
• Ensures that assigned individuals, their families, and providers are aware of entitlement and benefit programs such as SSI, SSA, Medicaid, Medicare, or other benefits.
• Informs Operational Support Unit of any changes which affect a individual's benefits and the ability of the state/division/department/ county to recoup costs for the individual's financial support.
• Develops and maintains effective communications with the public, provider agencies, sponsors, parents, guardians, and other agencies in assessing and meeting needs and best interests of the individual.
• Monitors sponsors and agencies engaged in the operation of community residences for persons with developmental disabilities for compliance with state licensing standards.
• Participates in and provides qualitative information for contract negotiations pertaining to group homes.
• Negotiates skill development and family care home contracts with sponsors.
• Recommends contract modifications, including continuation or termination of alternative living contracts.
• Coordinates the development of crisis prevention and intervention plans for individuals with medical, behavioral, social, and psychiatric problems.
• Secures respite and/or emergency care for individuals in need of a modified or alternate residential environment for care, treatment, and/or specialized training.
• Reviews and analyzes case histories and other data as well as corresponding with parents, guardians, officials, public and private agencies, groups, or individuals concerned with intake, placement, program, and referral issues.
• Prepares reports and maintains records and files according to department, division, federal, or other standards.
• May lift individuals during transportation or in a setting which provides direct services to individuals who are nonambulatory, or require such assistance for other reasons.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Applicants must meet the requirements for Developmental Disability Professionals and Providers as outlined in the Rules and Regulations section of the Federal Register, Volume 53, No. 107 (June 1988): 8, which sets the standards for developmental disability facilities and staff, namely, the following:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a human services field, including but not limited to the following: human behavior (e.g., psychology, sociology, speech communication, gerontology), social work, criminal justice (with a social work/psychology, focus not administrative, etc.), human skill development (e.g., special education, education, counseling, human development, recreation, or a specialty area such as art, dance, music or physical education), humans and their cultural behavior (e.g., anthropology), or any other study of services related to basic human care needs, (e.g., human services, nursing, rehabilitation counseling, art therapy, recreational therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietetics, speech language pathology or audiology,) or the human condition (e.g., literature, the arts).

Experience

One (1) year of experience in the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals with developmental disabilities in residential or community settings or in case management, analysis, development and implementation of programs for clients with developmental disabilities.

<b>SPECIAL NOTE:</b> Ability to physically lift, move, and position individuals as needed.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of department rules, regulations, and policies concerning care, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals with developmental disabilities in both residential and community settings.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, devices, and techniques involved in case management, analysis, development, and implementation of programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of federal/state laws pertaining to both institution and community care of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of federal legislation as it applies to IHPs and with the provision of case management services in a community setting.
• Knowledge of the services available to individuals in a day or residential program or facility to which they are assigned.
• Ability to assist with the development and implementation of IHPs for individuals assigned to caseload.
• Ability to organize assigned caseload and develop appropriate work methods.
• Ability to work with various levels of professional staff concerned with the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals.
• Ability to act as chairperson for the interdisciplinary committee in the development of plans for such services as IHPs, behavior plans, and residential or day program plans.
• Ability to work with parents/guardians to explain the implementation of IHPs or activities designed in the best interests of the assigned individuals.
• Ability to draft and analyze reports dealing with the assigned caseload.
• Ability to draft correspondence.
• Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Although a variety of degrees may satisfy the requirements, majors related to such areas as engineering, science, mathematics and business are not accepted.

Licensure as a Professional Nurse in the State of New Jersey or a degree as a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy from an accredited school of medicine may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree.