Diversity Outreach Specialist
Job Summary:
This Diversity Outreach Specialist is responsible for planning, carrying out, and overseeing the success of Redwood Coast Regional Center’s (RCRC) efforts to assure that services and supports to clients and families served are provided with parity in every aspect of their delivery. Under the direction of the Director of Clinical Services, the Diversity Outreach Specialist works closely with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), RCRC Case Management, and Community Services Departments as a subject matter expert for Health and Safety waiver applications as outlined in Section 4681.6(a)(1). Provides program evaluation, technical assistance, training, and outreach to staff, vendors, clients, and the community on the health and safety process, resources, regulations, and unmet needs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Provides consultation in development of resources to promote full and equal integration and participation of persons with developmental disabilities in their local community, specifically individuals who are non-English speaking. Works in conjunction with Case Management, Community Services, and Clinical Services to determine which individuals require a health and safety waiver approved by the DDS to access services. Leadership for these services/supports must be provided in accordance with the regional center’s contract with the California DDS, the California Welfare and Institutions Code (those sections designated as the Lanterman Act), relevant sections of the California Code of Regulations (particularly Title 17 and Title 22), and policies established by the Redwood Coast Regional Center Board of Directors. Leadership and management responsibilities must also be guided by the RCRC Vision Statement and a strong personal commitment to the principles of Person Centered Thinking and Planning.
Essential Job Functions:
? Responsible for planning and conducting outreach to all minority or underserved individuals and families eligible for services through RCRC, with particular emphasis on Hispanic and Native American communities.
? Identifying the specific needs and challenges faced by minority or underserved individuals, families and communities in accessing and utilizing services offered by RCRC
? Identifying and/or creating specific points of access into the service system through RCRC
? Participate in local events of interest to minority or underserved communities, family resource center events, health fairs, and others
? Arrange and oversee training in cultural competency for all Redwood Coast Regional Center employees and the RCRC Board of Directors
? Develop and implement an outreach and training plan for non-English speaking communities and obtain input from stakeholders about the effectiveness of the outreach and training and other strategies
? Serves as a representative of the regional center to the public, participates in RCDSC Board meetings, and assists the Executive Director with issues related to agency policy or services
? Identify ways in which RCRC employees can utilize culturally sensitive and appropriate knowledge in all aspects of interactions with persons and families served, and throughout the person centered planning process
? Oversee grant activities and submit reporting to DDS as required
? Collect and provide any additional data, as requested by the DDS, regarding the number of individuals served through this effort
? Build and maintain positive communication and correspondence with the DDS as needed, e.g. Cultural Specialist conference calls
? Support cultural competency training efforts by RCRC service providers throughout the four-county area served
? Oversee RCRC communications with minority or underserved populations to assure they are culturally sensitive and appropriate. This includes regular outreach efforts through newsletters or public announcements, routine agency mailings, press releases or public service announcements to local media, the RCRC web site, and all RCRC documents which are used in the course of providing services to individuals and families
? Develop materials and information about the health and safety waiver process in languages other than English; disseminate this information and have it posted on the regional center’s website
? Act as subject matter expert and provide support and technical assistance to regional center staff, service providers, clients, and families about the health and safety waiver process and potential options to reduce or address risk
? Provide training on the health and safety waiver statutes to Service Coordinators and other regional center staff members who may be involved in the decision to pursue a health and safety waiver to protect a client
? Work with regional center case management staff on ways to identify clients who might have an unaddressed need for a health and safety waiver and assist with guiding staff through the application process to meet those needs
? Work with regional center staff to research and identify concerns, barriers, and challenges to the utilizations of the health and safety waiver process
? Conduct outreach to K-12 schools and colleges in the four-county area. Offer presentations regarding intellectual and developmental disabilities, what regional centers do, and the potential for work in this field
? Arrange translation services as needed for any of the above duties
Education/Experience:
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in cultural studies, communication, sociology, social work, education or a similar relevant field, with two years full-time paid work experience involving outreach and community development, cultural competency training, or related duties in a not-for-profit or public agency environment is desired. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in one or more of the above areas, with relevant full-time work experience for more than five years involving outreach and community development, cultural competency training, and related area.
Special Skills and Knowledge:
Must demonstrate fluency in both English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing. Must be knowledgeable of the cultures of a variety of ethnic populations, including Hispanic, Native American, and others. Must have excellent communication skills including writing documents for publication and media, writing newsletters and informational material. Experience in the design and creation of accessible web sites in multiple languages and for non-readers is desired. Must be experienced and comfortable with public speaking. The duties of this position may also require working during evenings or on weekends from time to time.
Supervision Received:
This position reports to the Director of Clinical Services.
Travel Requirements:
This position requires extensive travel throughout the assigned counties served by Redwood Coast in Northern California (Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties). Occasional overnight travel may be required. The position requires a reliable form of transportation, possession of a valid driver’s license, minimum vehicle insurance as prescribed by law, or the ability for independent transportation.
Other: Physical and Mental Requirements
Extensive sitting in office settings, for meetings and for travel. Frequent walking and standing, and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds with occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and stretching to complete work duties. Adequate manual dexterity and coordination for operation of automobile, computer, and other standard office equipment. Hearing and vision corrected to within normal limits. Any of the above with reasonable accommodation.
This position requires the ability to work under pressure of deadlines and a fast-paced environment and to cope with complex and often stressful situations.