Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advocate

Major Function:

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Advocate is part of Quality Trust’s Monitoring and Advocacy team. IDD Advocates are responsible for completing all monitoring and advocacy functions, including related duties that support these activities as assigned by their supervisor, consistent with best practices in the field of IDD. As experienced and highly regarded members of the disability advocacy community in the District of Columbia, IDD Advocates are expected to complete their work in a manner that elevates both people with IDD and Quality Trust. IDD Advocates complete their work in both team and individual settings.

Working in the field, including visits to residential settings and day programs, is required. Flexibility to meet people with IDD, at times beneficial to them, is mandatory. Routine communication with team members through emails, calls, texts, and online and in-person meetings is expected.

At Quality Trust we embrace and place the highest importance on identifying, protecting, and promoting the rights, dignity, health, and wellness of people with IDD. IDD Advocates coordinate with our legal services and outreach teams, where necessary, to ensure people get the level of support they need to address the challenges they are facing. IDD Advocates may also represent Quality Trust in community meetings, workgroups, trainings, and other public forums that advance the organization's mission.

Is supervised by and reports directly to the Deputy Director of Programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Classification: Exempt

Essential Functions:

• Provide time-limited, outcome-based advocacy services as assigned by the Deputy Director ofPrograms.
• Complete individual monitoring using different assessments as required by the nature of the monitoring to be completed. Monitoring may include site visits to day and residential settings, review of records, and interviews of people supported, family members, and provider or government agency staff.
• Complete follow-up monitoring and/or advocacy of Serious Reportable Incidents as directed by the Deputy Director of Programs. Serious reportable incidents may include abuse, neglect, hospitalizations, injuries, and other allegations of inadequate care as defined by the DC Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
• Identify and report to the Deputy Director of Programs all quality-of-care issues identified during advocacy, monitoring, and follow-up activities.
• Conduct qualitative reviews of Serious Reportable Incident Investigations and Death Investigations.
• Coordinate with fellow team members to identify problematic trends with individual services, specific providers, and DDA staff, systems, policies, procedures, or practices.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience providing supports and services, monitoring supports and services, advocating for the support needs, or other similar experience working with people with IDD.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or another closely related course of study preferred.
• Knowledge of disability-related issues, specifically developmental disabilities support practices and services.
• Demonstrate the abilityto write and verbally communicate effectively to performduties as required, including the ability to effectively communicate with people who have varying abilities and disability-related challenges.
• Have sufficient interpersonal skills to be able to engage with people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them.
• Demonstrate functional knowledge of DC Department on Disability Services (DDS) policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate functional ability to use computers and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and databasesystems

Salary & Benefits:

Public interest salary range of $65,000 – 85,000 and generous benefits, including employer-paid health and dental insurance, short and long-term disability, life insurance, contribution to a retirement plan, 25 days of paid time off, and 13 paid holidays.

Generous benefits, including employer-paid health and dental insurance, short and long-term disability, life insurance, contribution to a retirement plan, 25 days of paid time off, and 13 paid holidays.

• Demonstrate the abilityto write and verbally communicate effectively to perform duties as required, including the ability to effectively communicate with people who have varying abilities and disability-related challenges.