LifeNet Support Partner

Job Description

Job Description

Home & Community-Based Support Professional / LifeNet Support Partner

Job Description :

AANE is seeking to hire a per diem or part-time (up to 20 hours / week) Support Partner to join our team at LifeNet, AANE’s Clinical Case Management and Independent Living Support program for autistic adults. Our clients can live independently with periodic support from our team. Each Support Partner works with clients in both 1 : 1 and group settings to facilitate activities toward their desired independent living priorities. The Support Partner works closely with other team members, especially Clinical Case Managers who oversee their work with shared clients. Support Partners report directly to a leadership team member (Program Director, Clinical Director, or Associate Director). All Support Partners are invited to bring their ideas to the team and the program, and following orientation and training, are offered ongoing training, individual, and group supervision.

Key Responsibilities :

Travel to and perform 1 : 1 in-person, home- and community-based visits with each assigned LifeNet adult (typically within 60 minutes of the employee’s home and / or AANE’s office in Watertown), to carry out activities aligned with the adult's LifeNet Support Plan

Please note : each visit is typically up to 2 hours each, and travel time is compensated / reimbursed in accordance with policy.

Please note : location of job posting is indicative of general geography radius or client visit locations

Initiate and complete virtual support meetings with one or more adults when indicated (i.e., via Zoom or GoogleMeet)

Participate in regularly scheduled and ad hoc virtual meetings with colleagues from one’s home office (or AANE’s office in Watertown, if desired)

Organize and facilitate in-person or virtual small-group social / recreational events for LifeNet adults to encourage social engagement and peer-to-peer relationships

Work closely with Clinical Case Manager(s) to implement each adult’s strengths-based LifeNet Support Plan, which outlines specific independent living support activities in areas that include, but are not limited to :

home organization and housekeeping

meal prep, nutrition, and food safety

healthcare appointments and medication reminders

mail, bills, benefits, and money management

companionship and social engagement

recreation and exercise

personal hygiene and self-care

shopping and errands

travel and transportation support

Build a professional, trusting relationship with each LifeNet adult, while setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries

Carefully observe the status of, and changes in, a LifeNet adult’s personal health and living environment, and communicate issues back to the respective Clinical Case Manager

Track time, mileage, and case notes in the secure LifeNet case management system

Manage a GoogleCalendar with accuracy for work commitments

Effectively, professionally, and respectfully communicate with colleagues, clients, and other community members in both proactive and responsive contexts in person and via Zoom and Google video call, work email, work phone text messages, and work phone voice calls

Perform additional duties as assigned, which may include researching resources, organizing client data, making telephone calls, planning events, drafting guidance for adults or staff in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, or Excel, and others

Qualifications :

Professional experience with providing in-person support to neurodiverse adults (or equivalent / transferable professional, personal and / or academic experience in human services contexts)

Must have valid Massachusetts driver’s license, clean driving record, and a reliable vehicle (mileage reimbursed at federal rate)

Ability to commute to client homes within a ~1 hour radius of our Watertown, MA office and geography discussed upon hire

Openness and ability to, on any given day, engage in conversations or pursuits with LifeNet adults involving music, theater, dance, art, anime, comic books, animals, nature, sports, science, computers, history, mass transit, aviation, travel, TV shows, movies, games, and more

Excellent interpersonal and communications skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Ability to exercise patience, persistence, flexibility, and problem-solving during independent work and work with colleagues and clients

Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team, including the ability to ask for help when needed

Ability to learn and use new technologies / apps in service of LifeNet adults, including but not limited to Zoom, GoogleSuite, Microsoft Word, etc.

Must agree to state and federal background checks

Organization Description : Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) helps Autistic and similarly Neurodivergent people build meaningful, connected lives. We provide individuals, families, and professionals with education, community and support, in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect.

AANE’s Commitment to Recruiting and Retaining Racially Diverse Professionals : As a global leader in promoting neurodiverse environments in all aspects of society, AANE is deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the communities we serve and in our own workplace. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a racially diverse team, and we encourage professionals of color to apply for this and other job opportunities with our organization. Please consider joining us

Salary & benefits :

Competitive and commensurate with experience- compensation range : $23-$25 / hourly

Mileage reimbursement for travel to and with clients

Opportunities for professional development

Employer match for IRA contributions

Paid sick time as accrued

Access to health insurance, FSA and / or DCA accounts for qualifying employees

Potential loan forgiveness through PSLF program for qualifying employees

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility Statement :

AANE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.

AANE is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at janeka.melanson@aane.org