Investigative Advocate

LOCATION: Baton Rouge, LA Preferred (Possibility for Alexandria location as an option)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Investigative Advocate is a crucial member of our team, responsible for monitoring and conducting investigations into potential violations of the rights of persons with disabilities in congregate settings. This role requires a strong commitment to social justice, a keen investigative mind, and the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals with disabilities. This role combines knowledge and investigative skills to uncover systemic issues and advocate for systemic change.

ABOUT US:

Disability Rights Louisiana is a private, non-profit, law firm that is designated as the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the State of Louisiana. DRLA is part of a nationwide network of P&A agencies that advocate, empower, and protect individuals with disabilities.

Since 1977, DRLA’s team of attorneys and advocates have provided free legal and advocacy services to people with disabilities, of all ages, throughout Louisiana. We work at the intersection of disability discrimination and race, gender, age, and other issues that compound socio-economic inequities. DRLA prioritizes its work to make change on these multiple fronts through individual and systemic advocacy, by monitoring places where persons with disabilities live or receive services, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect; conducting outreach and training; and engaging in legislative and administrative advocacy.

DRLA’s core mission is to protect and advocate for the human and legal rights of people with disabilities of all ages across our state. We work to empower the disability community to live an integrated life, free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. To learn more, please visit www.disabilityrightsla.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Investigative Advocate will engage in individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Specifically, they will monitor facilities that provide care, treatment, and services for persons who have developmental disabilities, mental illness, brain injuries, and other disabilities, and will conduct investigations in such facilities where there may be probable

cause of abuse or neglect. They will use the information gathered through monitoring and investigations to assist DRLA in shaping and engaging in systemic advocacy.

Additionally, they will work on distinct issues affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in facilities or in the community and provide individual advocacy, technical assistance, consultation, and outreach and training to clients, family members, and other advocacy organizations.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Under the supervision of the Director of Legal Programs and Advocacy, the Investigative Advocate will:

• Monitor conditions through onsite visits to community residences, mental health treatment facilities, intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities, long term care facilities, and other congregate settings that provide care, treatment, and services for persons with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and other disabilities.
• Identify situations through monitoring and investigation that require further advocacy, investigation, or other services.
• Investigate complaints of abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities by reviewing relevant medical, other investigating agency, and service provider records; interviewing individuals with disabilities, family members and guardians, and service providers; and documenting investigative observations.
• Draft memoranda and investigative summaries, findings, and reports.
• Maintain an active caseload of individual cases, as assigned, involving issues such as human rights and civil rights violations, discharge planning, community integration, Medicaid services, and access to educational services in congregate settings.
• Analyze statutes, regulations, agency policies/procedures and proposed legislation as applicable to individual advocacy, investigations and monitoring.
• Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of appropriate community resources for clients.
• Provide short-term information and referral for persons with disabilities.
• Conduct outreach and develop and maintain effective working relationships with service providers, public and private organizations, other agencies, and the community at large, including unserved and underserved populations.
• Prepare training materials and deliver presentations, trainings, and workshops on subjects pertinent to persons with disabilities, their families, service providers and the community.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures concerning maintaining complete and accurate records of monitoring, investigation, and advocacy activities in DRLA’s database and maintaining confidential records.
• Assist in the planning and development of DRLA’s priorities areas.
• Perform any other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Professionalism and sound ethical judgment.
• Ability to interact effectively with and be sensitive to the individualized needs of persons with disabilities.
• Ability to work efficiently, independently, and collaboratively.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time spent conducting multiple tasks with long-term and short-term objectives.
• This position will require extensive field work, including some overnight travel, within Louisiana approximately 70% of the time. Pre-approved travel and mileage costs will be reimbursed. The applicant must have a dependable automobile, valid driver’s license, and current liability insurance.

Other Desired Attributes:

• Ability to communicate effectively in ASL, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Vietnamese, or another non-English language preferred.
• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities, including people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, and their families and advocates.
• Experience conducting investigations.

Education and/or Work Experience Required:

The successful applicant must meet one or more of the following minimum experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with experience (3+ years) in advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in human services area, with at least 3 years of direct experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or with mental health issues.
• A comparable combination of educational and work experience.

Work Environment & Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• May involve standing or walking for extended periods while some tasks may require bending, stooping, or reaching.
• Regular use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and various digital devices.
• Capacity to perform repetitive tasks; read, analyze, and interpret data; maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

Work Authorization: Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Disability Rights Louisiana values diversity among our employees and is an equal opportunity employer. We hire without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (over 40), disability (mental and physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. DRLA endorses and supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals.