Community Navigator

Job Summary
We are seeking highly skilled and motivated Community Navigator QPs to work with members and families who self-direct services with support from Secure Direction NC. This position is only open to an individual who is certified as a Qualified Professional with the North Carolina Innovations Waiver Program for persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).

Community Navigator (QP)

• Community Navigator QP provides support to the Member/EOR team by assigning, supporting, and monitoring member/EORs and the self-direction model within the agency.
• Community Navigator QP also emphasizes, promotes, and coordinates the use of agency resources to address the needs of the member/EOR in addition to facilitating EOR Training services.
• Community Navigator QP identifies and oversees annual Clinical and Consent documents for the Self-Determination and Self-Direction programs offered by the Community Navigator Services within the MCOs and the promotion of services in other potential markets (i.e., Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or Veterans Affairs).
• These services also support the Member, Employer/EOR, and the Representative (if appointed) by offering training and education on the Individual and Family Directed Services models. The CN QP must educate and oversee various strategies and techniques to support the Member, EOR, and EOR teams. CN QP ensures the structure and content of the EOR Training for each member/EOR and ensures the material appropriately corresponds to each plan’s Post-Payment Reviews.
• Community Navigator QP will have various requirements dealing with managing the taks related to budgeting, supervision of DSP staff, policy & procedure education, employer growth and development, program integrity, customer service, and some cross-training with the financial support services program at Secure Direction NC for all self-direction member/EORs.

Community Navigator Services Program

• The purpose of Community Navigator Services Program is to promote self-determination, guide the Member, Employer/EOR, and the Representative (if appointed) through the chosen Individual & Family Directed Services’ model, provide advocacy with needs/supports, and identify opportunities to increase independence and quality of life within their chosen community while self-directing services appropriately.

Community Navigator - Employer/EOR Training must be completed with the EOR-Candidate and/or Representative-Candidate prior to (or while*) engaging with Individual and Family Directed Services.

• Community Navigator Services are mandatory for all IFDS Employer/EORs until competence in self-directing service has been demonstrated.
• Community Navigator Services may be intermittent and fade as community connections develop, and skills increase in individual direction.
• Community Navigator QPs assist and support (rather than direct and manage) the member/LRP throughout the service delivery process.
• Community Navigator Services are intended to enhance, not replace, existing natural and community resources.

* some contracted plans allow the Employer of Record-candidate and/or Representative-candidate to engage in Individual & Family Directed Services (IFDS) while simultaneously receiving the IFDS Employer Training to avoid transfer back into the Provider Directed Services model.

Community Navigator (QP) specific functions are:

a) Annual Informational Session on Self Direction Models (AWC & EOR)

b) Annual Informational Session on Rights and Self-Determination

The Community Navigator QP must be competent and ensure that all member/EORs in the program gain competence with the following specific functions to self-direct services appropriately.

Self-Determination:

a) Encourage exploration of possibilities related to life goals, defining what those are and the steps that they need to take in order to have those met.

b) Support an individual to make decisions that are important to them.

c) Promote choice making to support the individual’s strengths and interests.

d) Provide education on decision making, risk taking, and natural consequences.

e) Provide education which guides the individual in problem solving, decision making and navigating multiple state systems.

f) Promote advocacy and collaborating with other individuals and organizations on behalf of the Individual.

g) Guidance with managing their individual budget.

h) Supporting the person in preparing, participating in and implementing plans of any type (IEP, ISP, or service plans outside of NC Innovations).

i) Supports the person in the person-centered planning process (such as development of ELP, MAPs, Circle).

j) Assistance with guardianship or establishing alternatives to guardianship, restoration of rights, Supplemental Security Income issues, disability determination issues, Division of Social Services issues, and financial/legal planning.

k) Provide education about appropriate accommodation needs.

l) Supports the individual in devising/negotiating roommate agreements.

m) Supports and educates the individual in preparing and participating in staff interviews.

n) Assistance with the development of life-related emergency plans.

Community Connections:

a) Support the beneficiary in identifying the resources in his/her community and

determine steps to increase the individual’s opportunity to expand valued social relationships and build connections within the member’s local community through unpaid support.

b) Assist with locating and accessing non-Medicaid community support and resources that are related to achieving the member’s life goals.

Assist with locating options for renting or purchasing a personal residence, assisting with purchasing furnishings for the personal residence.

Self-Direction:

a) Provide training on the Individual and Family Directed Supports Options, if the beneficiary is considering directing services and supports. (Agency With Choice and Employer of Record)

b) Coordinate services with the Financial Support Services provider such as guidance on use of the Individual and Family Directed Budget. (Employer of Record)

c) Provide information/coaching/technical assistance on recruiting, hiring, managing, training, evaluating, and changing support staff. (Agency With Choice and Employer of Record)

d) Provide information/coaching/technical assistance with the development of schedules and outlining staff duties. (Agency With Choice and Employer of Record)

e) Provide information/coaching/technical assistance to understand staff financial forms, staff qualifications and employee record keeping requirements. (Agency With Choice and Employer of Record)

f) Provide information/coaching/technical assistance on maintenance of records in accordance with the Employer of Record Model. (Employer of Record)

g) Coordinate services with the Agency with Choice, if the individual is directing services. (Agency with Choice)

h) Provide information/technical assistance to the individual on setting staff pay rates. (Employer of Record).

Tenancy Support:

a) Develop an independent housing plan based on the beneficiary’s preferences and possible barriers.

b) Assist with housing search process.

c) Assist with housing application process, including assistance with applying for housing.

d) Vouchers and applications.

e) Identifying resources to cover expenses.

f) Assisting the individual to create a budget to cover expenses.

g) Ensure that the living environment is safe and move-in ready.

h) Developing a housing support crisis plan that includes prevention and early intervention services when housing is jeopardized.

i) Assistance with finding and establishing a relationship with a housemate.

j) Assistance with obtaining and identifying resources to assist the beneficiary with financial education and planning for housing.

k) Assistance with budgeting for housing and living expenses.

l) Assistance with coordinating resources to complete the move.

m) Training with strategies to be a good tenant.

Community Navigator (QP) must:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, as she/he will have contact with a great number of people including individuals served, employees/contractors, individuals from the business community, and other agencies such as DSS and the local MH/DD/SAS MCO.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate adaptability to performing a variety of duties, occasionally changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Present Self-Directed, Self-Determination, and Self-Directed Service Models effectively, in both oral and written form.
• Help support the Primary Trainer of the 2 Orientations offered to individuals being served - (1) Self-Directed Service Models: Agency with Choice & Employer of Record and (2) Client Rights/Self-Determination.
• Support the EOR with negotiating and resolving conflict between stakeholders while maintaining the intergity and policies over the EOR model.
• Have a working knowledge of the behavioral sciences and allied disciplines involved in the evaluation, care and treatment of people with intellectual & developmental disabilities, mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• Provide a positive working atmosphere, which facilitates growth and learning
• Completion of all training required to provide NC Innovations Waiver services
• Must be able to lift-up to fifty pounds

Community Navigator (QP) must possess:

• Consistent, reliable access to a computer, internet, & cell phone
• Access to Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Pro software programs
• Valid driver license and active auto insurance coverage
• Reliable transportation (car or truck)

OTHER:

1. Community Navigator/Care Management experience: 3-4 years (preferred)

2. Innovations Waiver/Individual & Family Directed Service experience: 3-4 years (preferred)

3. OnTarget software experience: preferred

Pay: $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 per month

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Albemarle, NC 28001