OUTREACH & ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy is a statewide nonprofit organization, committed to providing our members with free family support, special education and insurance advocacy that will improve the health, well-being and productivity of the entire family, and the entire community.

We are looking for the right person who has first-hand experience with multiple child-serving systems (this may include public and private insurance, mental health, DDA, SSI, and special education), and who has exhibited exceptional qualities in their own efforts to navigate 2 or more systems for their children or clients, an understanding of how each system works, an appreciation of what it takes to be successful, and personal qualities that lend themselves to collaboration on various levels. Orientation and ongoing training and support are provided.

General Parent Partner Duties:

• Allot the time necessary to participate in professional development opportunities;
• Possess, or be willing to learn, “professional behavior” elements (e.g.) ability to work with people, ability to clearly communicate with people, maintain confidentially, engage in respectful interaction;
• Possess good interpersonal skills;
• Exhibit qualities of dependability, empathy, genuineness, respect, and maintain a positive and supportive attitude;
• Complete all paperwork, including but not limited to, time sheets, activity logs, mileage forms, and correspondence in an organized, accurate and timely fashion;
• Utilize personal and professional life experience to provide peer support to parents/caregivers

Parent Advocate Responsibilities: Parent Advocates are required to provide advocacy, support and referral service to clients assigned to their caseload. The Parent Advocate is expected to:

• Actively participate as a parent mentor to WAAA members who require support with multiple systems of care
• Be willing and able to attend meetings, including quarterly statewide outreach & collaboration with autism centers of excellence
• Make necessary contacts in order to review pertinent family information and discuss case with appropriate stake holders;
• Assess family needs. Parent Advocates will serve as a knowledgeable source of community resources;
• Document all contacts and interactions with their mentee on approved contact form. Documentation must be accurate and timely;
• Encourage and support the mentees’ positive behavior and celebrate his/her successes;
• Culturally effective capabilities demonstrating a sensitivity and responsiveness to varying cultural characteristics and beliefs;
• When working with professionals, the parent partner will professionally advocate the family voice providing the parent perspective;
• Serve as the parents’ voice on committees and workgroups;
• Help with and attend special events, as required;
• Follow through on all assignments.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in social work or related social, health & human services degree and one year related experience with human service agency or program; bilingual a plus.

Experience: Applicant is preferred to have experience as a parent or family member of a child on the autism spectrum who has been involved in multiple systems.

Appointment: 40 hrs per week

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a resume, letter of intent, character and professional references and availability schedule via electronic mail to: Info@WashingtonAutismAdvocacy.org