Parent Advisor (Matrix Parents @ Marin Center for Independent Living)

POSITION Parent Advisor (Matrix Parents @ Marin Center for Independent Living)

REPORTS TO Director of Programs

SUMMARY OF JOB: Mentor families of children (birth to 26 years-old) with disabilities by providing information, resources, and support to help build their confidence and advocacy skills. Services are provided by phone and one on one consultation, through training and workshops (can be virtual at times) and in collaborative meetings with agencies and professionals. The preferred candidate is a parent of a child with a disability. This position covers potential work in Sonoma, Solano, Napa or Marin Counties depending on community needs. Applicants must live and work in one of these counties where services are delivered, virtual services may be needed to the other counties.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate the needs of parents related to their child’s development, understanding of services, parenting and advocacy skills
• Provide supportive communication, respecting cultural and individual differences
• Model collaboration, problem-solving and organization for parents
• Provide referrals, resources, and information on development, special needs, and systems such as Special Education, Regional Centers, and Early Start
• Conduct trainings for parents and professionals and facilitate support groups
• Participate in public awareness activities, community, and inter-agency meetings
• Maintain paperwork, manage time sensitive services and record client information and data
• Engage in a program of professional development
• Respond promptly to consumers, service providers, and community partners to address inquiries or requests.
• Train and support consumers, family members, and / or caregivers in self-advocacy skills with a goal of independent self-advocacy and self-sufficiency.
• Maintain complete, organized, and confidential records, ensuring timely data input and well-documented case notes in compliance with federal, state, and / or funder reporting requirements.
• Identify and document success stories to promote organizational learning, create promotional materials, and fulfill reporting obligations.
• Initiate and conduct outreach activities to educate community members and service providers about agency services and to foster relationships that result in resources and opportunities available to consumers, their families, and their caregivers.
• Stay informed about resources and services available to individuals with disabilities of all ages, their families, and their caregivers to enhance service coordination capabilities through continuing education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PROGRAM COORDINATION DUTIES

• Supervises the Matrix Communications Coordinator for:
• External relations communications plan to enhance Marin CIL’s visibility and impact.
• Draft, prepare and manage the creation and dissemination of program materials for community engagement, including program materials and fliers, regular email newsletters, social and digital media content and mass emails on emerging issues.
• Prepare communication drafts for approval that reflects consistent messaging that reflects the organization’s values, commitment and grant deliverables.
• Track and analyze communication effectiveness, using data to refine communication strategies and report to the Matrix Director of Programs.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must have experience with families of children with disabilities
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in emotionally-charged and stressful situations
• Computer and data/information management and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively

SKILLS

• Understanding and implementation of the Independent Living (IL) philosophy.
• Ability to advocate for people with disabilities, their families, and / or their caregivers and train others in self-advocacy.
• Maintaining confidentiality and handling confidential information appropriately.
• Strong self-management skills, including good time management and the ability to work well with others.
• Ability to follow direction, exercise initiative, demonstrate ingenuity, and exercise sound judgment in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Docs applications..
• Ability to present and explain services offered by the agency.

Compensation:

Hourly rate: $30.00

Hours per week: 15

403b Match: Upon participation/enrollment - up to 4% employer match of annual salary

Paid time off: 30 hours annually

Sick leave: 40 hours annually

Paid Holidays included.

Other:

• This position operates from our office location 2400 Las Gallinas Avenue, Suite 100, San Rafael, CA 94903 with potential flexibility to work from home office subject to supervisor approval.
• Our standard business hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a designated 1-hour lunch period unless an alternate schedule has been approved by your supervisor.

ABOUT MARIN CIL

Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers in 1979 and established formerly as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 1980, Marin CIL is the leading disability rights organization in Marin and, for the last four and a half decades, we’ve worked to provide our community with options and opportunities intended to help retain or re-establish independence on a person’s own terms.

Marin CIL provides peer-led, person-centered, one-to-one care navigation and other social services. Our Strategic Operating Plan includes six areas of focus: Meaningful Access to Care, Housing Support & Preservation, Youth and Family Supports, Community Resilience, Digital Equity, and Sustainable Caregiver Pipeline.

Marin CIL carries the following designations for various North Bay counties: Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) – Marin,

Center for Independent Living (CIL) - Marin,

Disability Disaster Access & Resource Center (DDARC) – Marin, Family Empowerment Center (FEC) – Marin, Solano, Sonoma, Family Resource Center (FRC) – Marin, Solano, Sonoma,

Parent Training & Information Center (PTI) – Marin, Solano, Sonoma, Napa.

Located at 710 Fourth Street in San Rafael, a designated low-income community, we are a block away from a SMART commuter train stop, within local routes for Marin Transit, Paratransit accessible, bicycle friendly, and within walking distance to several city-run affordable parking lots.

ABOUT INDEPENDENT LIVING

Independent living ideology postulates that people with disabilities are the best experts on their needs, and, therefore, they must take the initiative, individually and collectively, in designing and promoting better solutions and must organize themselves. Besides de-professionalization and self-representation, independent living ideology comprises the de-medicalization of disability, de-institutionalization,

and the power of cross-disability representation.

EEO STATEMENT

Marin CIL is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our commitment to equal employment extends beyond compliance with legal requirements and guides our everyday practices. We value the contributions and perspectives of each team member and believe that a diverse workforce enhances our ability to achieve our mission effectively.

We encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply for employment with our organization and join us in our pursuit of creating a society that respects and embraces diversity.

Compensation:

Hourly rate: $30.00

Hours per week: 15

403b Match: Upon participation/enrollment - up to 4% employer match of annual salary

Paid Holidays included.

English: Required – must be able to read, write, and speak.