Client Advocate Program Administrator

Client Advocate Program Administrator

About Us:

The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is a trauma informed care agency focused on implementing our core values and providing support to people with developmental disabilities. We oversee a statewide system of supportive services that focus on ensuring the health and safety, supporting access to community participation, and increasing opportunities for meaningful employment. To learn more about DODD click here.

DODD Core Values:

To help Ohioans with developmental disabilities, DODD has embodied the following core values that focus on the experience of our customers, the people we serve, and their families:

• Kindness & Empathy – All interactions are based on genuine care and concern for all involved. We listen to those we serve, our partners, and each other.
• Collaboration – We engage with each other and our partners with openness and trust.
• Transparency – We are accessible and visible in our business practices.
• Quality Innovation – The services we deliver are value-added and promote excellence.
• Inclusiveness – Cultivate an environment that embraces diversity and ideas at every level of interaction. Our systems and processes are designed to ensure that every person is treated equally, and every voice is heard fairly.
• Accountability – We conduct ourselves professionally and will manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.

What You'll Do:

Plan, implement & coordinate developmental center client advocacy program:

• Develops & implements policies & procedures which promote & protect human rights for individuals with disabilities; Ensures, monitors & evaluates compliance with established Medicaid rules, federal & state standards of care, facility accreditation rules/standards, etc.; works with internal & external staff, parents/guardians, families, etc. to establish best practices & resolve issues; prioritizes goals & objectives to ensure person-centered planning & client rights are established & maintained. Works with & consults other program areas to best serve clients, families & facility; and, works with all customers to resolve client issues & questions. Ensures availability of internal & external services for all residents/clients; provides consultation, training & technical advice to department heads, other staff & volunteers concerning advocacy laws & procedures. Lead the center in Trauma Informed Care best practices and activities. Ensure Trauma Informed Care Biographical Timelines are completed for all new admissions and staff are trained on Preparation, coordinating, facilitating, hosting, and scheduling of Trauma Informed Care Biographical Timelines. Ensuring timely training and implementation of staff on TIBT and resilience-based interventions for each person served. Follow-up to debrief with individuals/staff after significant incidents to ensure safety and support is provided.

• Provides client advocacy and empowerment services in accordance with DODD standards, state & federal laws & rules governing client advocacy (e.g., explains availability of advocacy & clients' rights services; provides information and rules to customers, their families &/or other parties/entities; investigates clients' advocacy problems, inquiries & complaints pertaining to services, treatment, personal service needs or environment, makes rounds of living units/assigned facility to ensure services are carried out satisfactorily; reviews unusual incident reports to detect adverse trends; ensures that clients have due process protocols in place). Complete Client Satisfaction surveys with individuals and guardian, to include follow up. Supervise activity or social worker roles.

• Prepares reports, maintains files, updates records &/or related correspondence; responds to inquiries from all customers. Attends meetings, works cooperatively with facility's client advocacy groups/personnel & other related groups; represents facility on matters concerning client rights; serves as advocacy liaison with local, state & federal agencies; transmits information internally & externally. Performs other duties within range & scope of position.

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Exposed to contagious diseases & unpredictable behavior of clients.

The final applicant selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis drug screen for illegal drug use prior to the appointment.

An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment and will be barred from employment with the State of Ohio for 1 year.

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Rule 5123:2-2-02, “Background Investigations for Employment,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Developmental Disabilities