Home & Community-Based Support Professional / Support Partner

Home & Community-Based Support Professional / LifeNet Support Partner: This is a full-time position. Hours may be scheduled between 32 and 40 per week, with compensation prorated based on the agreed-upon weekly hours.

ABOUT THIS HYBRID POSITION: Please note that this role does not report to the physical office in Watertown on a daily basis. This position involves travel to client homes - generally those within 20-60 minutes of Watertown. (See below for compensation of travel time and mileage reimbursement.) This position also involves tasks that can be done from one's home office, or if desired, AANE's office space in Watertown. You may notice this job posting duplicated with a different town listed- please only apply to one posting regardless of your geographic flexibility.

Position Description: AANE is seeking a trustworthy home and community-based support professional who will embrace the opportunity to join our growing team at LifeNet, an independent living support program for autistic adults. As a LifeNet Support Partner (SP), you'll support clients 1:1 in their homes and communities while being supported by a team of colleagues.

During each visit, our clients look to the SP to serve as an executive functioning aide, problem solving guide, emotional regulation support, and non-judgmental ally while engaging in one or more everyday responsibilities, such as grocery shopping, making phone calls, sorting mail, and more. The LifeNet SP works closely with and reports to our Clinical Case Managers to monitor each LifeNet adult's overall health, safety, and

well-being, while providing direct support and accompaniment around the priorities outlined in the adult's LifeNet Support Plan. In addition to our Clinical Case Managers, the SP receives supervision and support from our leadership team. The SP participates in weekly virtual meetings with colleagues and completes documentation related to client engagement.

Travel details: Nearly all client visits occur within the I-495 belt. LifeNet aims to assign regular visits to SPs so that there is a one-hour maximum one-way drive time between client visits and when commuting. Driving time between visits is paid at the hourly wage in addition to mileage reimbursement. Daily first and last visit commuting time is compensated when it exceeds a minimum in compliance with AANE LifeNet policy. Geographic area can be discussed via e-mail or during the interview process.

Primary responsibilities:

Drive to and perform scheduled in-person, home- and community-based visits with each assigned LifeNet adult, to carry out activities aligned with the adult's LifeNet Support Plan. (Mileage reimbursed at federal rate)

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

Participate in weekly virtual meetings with colleagues for supervision and case collaboration

Track time, mileage, and case notes in the secure LifeNet case management system, and other administrative projects as assigned

Manage schedule on AANE Google Calendar, effectively communicate via e-mail, telephone, text, google chat, and video call. (An employee e-mail address and number will be provided.)

Potential additional assigned responsibilities may include: Organize and facilitate in-person or virtual small-group social/recreational events for LifeNet adults to encourage social engagement and peer-to-peer relationships, research resources, organize client data, plan events

Requirements:

Experience providing in-person support to autistic adults, OR equivalent/transferable experience from other human services contexts

Must have valid driver's license, clean driving record, and a reliable vehicle

Willingness to travel to and with clients in the community

Ability to independently organize, initiate and complete professional responsibilities

Comfort engaging in various interests and topics with clients

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills

Ability to exercise patience, persistence, flexibility, and problem-solving

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, Google Suite, Microsoft Word, etc.

Willingness for AANE to complete state and federal background checks

*Salary & benefits:

Competitive and commensurate with experience

Mileage reimbursement for travel to, from, 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 student loan forgiveness through PSLF program for qualifying employees

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.