The Resource Advocate meets program and client needs by managing program referrals, assuring a high quality of care/service to program clients, provides for ongoing support and expertise through comprehensive assessment, planning, implementation, and overall evaluation of individual client needs specific to building self-sufficiency in families. The Resource Advocate works with the Community Partnerships Director to assist in reporting functions, including state and federal mechanisms and databases for tracking consumers of services. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: promotional work for the program, assessing needs of the clients served; assuring compliance with program requirements, including reporting requirements; assure and promote coordination with internal and external providers, referral sources and community partners; and provides direct care and assessment for program clients. The Resource Advocate assists in the development of program plans, policies, and procedures and the implementation of those plans, policies and procedures at the program level. The overall goal of the position is to enhance the caliber of client management and satisfaction, in order to improve their quality of life. Align with agency mission in all aspects of work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists with program reporting requirements by:

1. Managing referrals and discharges for program services
2. Providing information for reports as needed
3. Maintaining ongoing census/data reporting into identified client record
4. Assisting with program required monthly and quarterly reporting for contracts and funding
5. Assisting in developing/measuring and reporting of performance outcomes

Maintains program operations by:

1. Following policies and procedures for efficient and effective delivery of client services
2. Providing client assessment of needs, service-plan development and delivery of services
3. Maintaining record-keeping and data entry processes to document services and outcomes
4. Implementing recommendations for improvement to care/service
5. Ensuring appropriate documentation according to policy and regulatory oversight requirements
6. Collaboratively working to assess standards, processes, and protocols for efficient work flow
7. Participating in supervision and staff meetings
8. Managing program related expenses in a cost-effective manner

Collaborates with peers/colleagues within agency and across programs by:

1. Providing added individual and program consultation as needed
2. Ensuring appropriate interdepartmental coordination of services
3. Accepting, coordinating and facilitating referrals across program to meet client needs.

Maintains professional standing and certifications by:

1. Participating in all trainings, supervision, and consultation activities
2. Understanding and following established agency and program policies and procedures
3. Maintaining appropriate confidentiality regarding client or staff related information
4. Seeking consultation as needed and participating in the supervisory process
5. Attending meetings as required

Assures collaborative working relationships and communication outside community agencies by:

1. Collaborating with community agencies to insure collaborative and coordinated services including linkage, referral, case management, team meetings and discharge planning to meet consumer needs.
2. Identifying and resolving system and communication breakdowns that present barriers to consumer needs
3. Assisting with identifying and resolving external system and communication breakdowns to assist with consumer need
4. Facilitating consumer connections to other needed services, community resources and natural supports
5. Representing the agency in a professional manner
6. Act as liaison between program services and other programs and relevant partnering agencies
7. Ensuring smooth and responsive referral processes for services and program

Engages in direct provision of services and supports

1. Provides aggressive outreach and case management services as outlined under program description and contracts
2. Performs direct services as necessary/appropriate to maintain expected productivity levels and meet program needs
3. Builds trusting relationships and cooperative goals based on assessment needs, client and family strengths to provide services and meet identified needs.
4. Tracks and maintains consumer and program outcomes for services
5. Coordinates services in order to enable consumers and families to mitigate the impact of poverty on individual and family functioning

Professional Development

1. Participating in required and elective staff development activities in accordance with the individual staff development plan
2. Keeps up to date on program regulations including state or federal that govern all aspects of the work and provision of services

Leadership & Teamwork

1. Builds cooperative goals and relationships of mutual trust.
2. Demonstrates effective communication skills in building relationships with all employees and clients.
3. Collaborates with all partner agencies to assure effective communication processes across agencies.
4. Adheres to the policies in the use of computer technology and all tele-communication devices.

Safety and Wellness

1. Actively promotes safety and accident prevention within the workplace.
2. Reports any unsafe conditions, incidents and/or accidents immediately.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Performs additional duties as assigned.

A detailed job description is available on our website: www.waldocap.org. Please submit a completed WCAP employment application also available on our website to: Human Resources, WCAP, PO Box 130, Belfast, ME 04915. This position will remain open until a suitable applicant is found. WCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.