If you are a current YAI employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday account. (http://wd5.myworkday.com/wday/authgwy/yai/login.htmld?)

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Provides in-home and community-based individualized coaching and support to parents with I/DD who have been involved with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), tailoring interventions to their unique needs and circumstances.

• Assists parents in developing and implementing effective parenting strategies, focusing on areas such as communication, discipline, emotional regulation and self-care; provides direct care services as needed, including assistance with personal care/ADLs as applicable, such as: basic home maintenance tasks, maintaining positive relationships, plus financial, medical, dietary, social, recreational, habilitative and other related needs.

• Conducts assessments and observations to identify strengths, challenges and areas for growth relating to the parenting skills of individuals with I/DD.

• Collaborates with supervisor and parents to set goals and develop and write personalized parenting plans that align with each participant’s values and aspirations and/or requirements identified by ACS; assists supervisor with assigning Parent Coach based on plans, needs and current caseloads.

• Receives referrals and conducts intakes for potential participants in the program, including conducting home or community visits to meet with parents, which may include observing them with their children and completing assessments to determine specific needs and eligibility for participation and/or services.

• Provides case management supports to parents to assist with coordination and navigation of services including assistance with referrals, applications or understanding various supports and resources and participating in meetings or conferences with external supports to advocate for participants.

• Delivers parenting education and training to program participants using established curricula in one-on-one and/or group settings across NYC, utilizing a variety of instructional methods and resources; may suggest, develop and/or facilitate specialized sessions or groups for parents based on shared interests, goals or needs.

• Observes parents practicing skills, including interactions with their children, in various home and community environments, to assess progress and effectiveness of coaching and education and provides feedback to parents regarding their implementation of strategies and skills learned.

• Helps parents understand and respond to their children's needs by providing information on child development, behavior management and positive parent-child interactions.

• Researches and identifies community resources tailored to the specific needs of participants and maintains an organized and up-to-date database of available resources, regularly reviewing and updating to ensure accuracy and relevance to participant needs.

• Collaborates with external and/or circles of support (lawyers, caseworkers, therapists, care managers, etc.) to ensure continuity of services to the parents and their children and to assess progress/supports across settings.

• Advocates for parents' rights and needs within the ACS system, ensuring participants are aware of and exercise their rights for supports; may provide education and information to external partners and supports, including ACS staff, when needed or requested.

• Creates and maintains comprehensive, accurate and confidential records of parent progress, including assessments, interventions, monthlies and updates in accordance with applicable regulations, rules and/or requirements; ensures appropriate documentation is entered into electronic systems for billing and/or tracking purposes.

• In collaboration with or at direction of supervisor, provides support to Parent Coaches in delivering education and coaching to participants, accessing and locating appropriate resources, navigating complex situations or needs, completing documentation and/or with understanding processes or procedures.

• Complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g., lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related area; and

• Two (2) years of experience working with individuals with I/DD and their families or as a caseworker and/or in crime victims’ advocacy, foster care or related area providing support, referrals and/or navigating resources; or

• Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training.

• Familiarity with community resources and services available to enhance coping, parenting or other life skills and/or to address identified needs.

• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, written and oral communication skills.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Compassion, empathy and a nonjudgmental attitude towards individuals with disabilities and their families.

• Ability to effectively manage emotions and focus on facts while handling complex and difficult cases.

• Proficiency with computers, electronic programs and systems including Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and ability to quickly learn and utilize required systems (Workday, DA, etc.) to complete tasks and/or documentation.

• Ability to travel regularly across the boroughs of the City of New York to conduct in-person assessments, evaluations and visits as required by caseload.

• Ability to work a varied work schedule, which may include evenings and/or weekends as needed to support assigned caseloads or to conduct intakes.

• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including frequent walking; using hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Experience working with people with I/DD and their families and/or social service providers.

• Verbal and/or written fluency in Spanish preferred; fluency in other language(s) may be preferred based caseload.

Compensation:

• $22.00/hour - $23.00/hour

​

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our Roots:

YAI was launched in February of 1957 out of a small school in Brooklyn, New York. Initially staffed by Co-Founders Bert MacLeech and Pearl Maze MacLeech alone, their pilot program served just seven people. According to Bert, from its very beginning YAI has been dedicated to providing innovative services for the I/DD (intellectual and/or developmental disabilities) community. MacLeech envisioned a, “total life adjustment approach, emphasizing personal growth, social responsibility, employment goals, and the development of independence for the individual.” At a time when institutional living was the norm for people with I/DD, this vision was nothing short of revolutionary.

YAI Today:

Today, YAI has a team of over 4,000 employees and supports over 20,000 people in the I/DD community. This extraordinary growth shows the ongoing need for these important services, and YAI’s success in offering them. YAI supports people with autism, Down syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, among others. Operating throughout Downstate New York and Northern New Jersey, YAI now offers more than 300 programs for people of all ages.

Better Together:

At YAI, we are driven by our mission of living, loving, working, and learning. This applies not only to the people we support, but to our staff as well. Commitment and passion for the work continue to unite employees and drive the organization forward. Empowering the people we support to reach their goals remains at the heart of our organization.

http://www.yai.org/